After our successful ascent of Dorsal Arete yesterday we headed up into Coire nam Beith looking for ice. There was plenty to be found and Elliott's Downfall was still touching down - just! There were also huge sheets covering the slabs to the left hand side of the north face of Stob Coire Nam Beith. We found a nice boss of ice at the right angle and had a good session looking at technique and ropework.
As we left the van great sheets of rain were blowing down the glen on the strong south easterly winds. However we soon reached the freezing level at around 500m and gained some shelter behind Stob Coire Nan Lochan. The snow is now well consolidated and stable but there was approximately 6' of newly formed windslab at around 800m on a sheltered northerly slope.There were teams on West Chimney Route (V, 6) which is in excellent condition and Deep Cut Chimney (IV, 4) which had good but limited ice.
