Learning To Lead And Safety In Winter

Today I was working for Adventure Peaks. During our early morning meeting, whilst the clients were finishing their full breakfast.

It was difficult to believe the weather forecast at this point - southerly winds gusting 80mph, cat 4 snow hazard and multiple wet snow instabilities and cornices prone to collapse. I headed, with James and Radim, for Stob Coire nan Lochan. They were keen to learn to lead, build winter belays, rope management and above all - risk assessment and winter safety. Tomorrow they have the option of leading a route for themselves, or being guided up something bigger..

We discovered later that teams on the Ben witnessed huge cornice collapses and one team was caught in a massive rock fall, escaping with only minor injuries. The hills can sometimes be a wolf in sheeps clothing. Take care out there..