Scabbard Chimney

A wintry SCNL

Today we had a steady walk up into Stob Corie Nan Lochain, which has the most snow I've seen in there for a long time.  There was only one other team that joined us, and they were climbing (Swimming) up Dorsal Arete.  We opted for a run up Scabbard Chimney V,6***, to build on the mixed climbing from yesterday.  The first pitch is currently a grade II/III snow slope, so quick progress was made.  I then ran the next 2 pitches together, as they are climbing on the easy side, but with not much in the way of gear.  A nice abseil down a climbable Tempest and bum slide back the bags made for a shortish day.

Rhys approaching the first belay

Karen enjoying the ab off

Some of the steeper lines don't look overly icy.  Any cracks that where accessible today had ice that was easily removed.  However,  deep under the snow, the ground is not frozen.  this didn't affect our route today, but would others that rely on turf or blocks being frozen.  There is ice around I have not seen for a long time, so hopeful a good season is to be had.

I'm back down the road now for a couple of weeks working, I'll be back up toward the end of Jan.