Saturday 19 March 2011

A final Curved Ridge

Plenty of snow on Curved Ridge (II)

With plenty of snow still around and a good forecast we opted to finish the week in style with an ascent of the classic Curved Ridge on the Buachaille (II). Both Sue & Jude had climbed this previously in summer and had a hazy recollection of copious amounts of exposure and steep climbing! In the event we cruised up it in fine style with the crux being the first pitch of the ridge proper. There were plenty of folk on the mountain including a number of teams on D Gully Buttress (possibly thinking they were on Curved Ridge!?) but we really only shared our route with Rob Johnson and his clients. Despite a number of folk accessing the ridge from Coire Tullich we opted to descend via Pt 902. The snow was very wet and heavy and we triggered a huge number of sunwheels / snowballs up to a meter plus in diameter, an obvious sign of a high avalanche risk.
Today was the final day of another excellent Scottish season for me. As recommended by Adele I now get to eat 'steak & cake' for a few days before departing for the North side of Everest on the 2nd April.

Rob Johnson in the office!

Jude with a friendly local in Crowberry Gap!

Climbing out of Crowberry Gap

Enjoying the sunshine high on Curved Ridge

The final snowslopes direct to the summit

Buachaille Etive Mor this evening