For the past two days I have been out snow holing and winter mountaineering with the Winter Mountain Leader course. We ascended on Wednesday to an area behind the window on Creag Meagaidh and following a few hours navigation we built snow holes. After a few hours sleep we ascended Creag Meagaidh and traversed Beinn a’Chaorainn before returning via a difficult micro navigation area in the dark on the south side of Creag Meagaidh. Following a one hour dinner stop we returned to the window and the valley. Large avalanches had released in the window area very close to the normal route of ascent. The snowpack in the whole massif is very wet and there are many large wet cornices still present above climbing areas.
The Winter Mountain Leader assessment is a physically and mentally challenging assessment of an individuals winter mountaineering skills. All the candidates should be congratulated for their efforts over the last week.
