I was working on an EICA Ratho winter climbing day today. The weather was very windy and there was lots and lots of drifting snow under a strong southerly wind. Sam and I binned the idea of climbing in the corrie as the thought of wind slab on the approaches and exits of the climbs sounded awful, so we aimed for Twin Ribs and the buttresses on the Fiaciall Ridge. We had an excellent, and mostly sheltered day looking at crampon and ice axe work. Sam had his first “full on” winter climbing experience and managed to sink his crampons and axes into snow, ice and frozen turf as well as “torquing” and “hooking” his axes.

I left my camera in the Ratho jeep, but here’s a good picture from the SAIS blog to give you an idea!

http://saisncairngorms.blogspot.com/2011/02/another-stormy-day.html