John Chivall, Outdoor Instructor

On Saturday, I went for a walk with friends up Arrochar's Beinn Luibheinn and Beinn Ime. Low cloud. rain and wind made for a gloomy atmosphere, but the cheerful company dispelled that, and we had a fun day sliding about on old snow patches and putting the world to rights. The sun finally made an appearance as we headed down back to the car, shining out from under the soft grey sheet of cloud that we had spent most of the day inside.

Descending Beinn Ime in the mist

The sun appears

Heading almost straight out once I got home, I caught the train to Coatbridge to meet my friend Iain and drove up to the Cairngorms with winter climbing in mind. After a cold bivvy in Glen More, we drove up a snow covered ski road to the Sugar Bowl car park, where we had to leave the car as the snow plough hadn't been through yet. We walked up the rest of the road and trekked into Coire an-t Sneachda, which was floored with nicely crusted snow.

We first climbed The Message (IV, 6) on Mess of Pottage, before descending Jacob's Ladder and climbing Hidden Chimney (III) to finish off the day. I got to borrow Iain's shiny new BD Vipers to lead the crux pitch on The Message and was very impressed with them.

Iain leading the final groove on The Message

Mess of Pottage, seen from the top of the coire

Iain following another party up Hidden Chimney

Walking out to 1141 in the omnipresent mist