Out Saturday with John, Gavin, Mark, Jerry and John doing a winter skills day. We headed up in to Coire an Dothaidh near Bridge of Orchy. We found some good patches of sugary spring snow to practice boot and axe work on the way up towards the bealach. Higher up and over on the north-east side of Beinn Dorain there was some good ice to practice cramponing. The turf was suprisingly well frozen above about 650m, but the snow was generally soft and the ice and snow is stripped from all the crags in this coire.
We had mild conditions, with temperatures well above freezing, patchy sunshine and no precipitation during the day. Brilliant views, a great group and good to be out. Large snow gullies are likely to give the best climbing in this area if there’s a re-freeze.
