"Patey's Route" (120m,IV,5) in Coire An T-Sneachda.

Reckon it was more like IV,6 due to the very thin condition - soft snow, little ice, some turf. Despite the conditions it was/is an excellent route.

Grade IV

Freezing level initially 2000', but then rose above the summits. Otherwise a very still and, unfortunately, mild day.

Snow conditions are deceiving! There's loads of snow in the coire but it's soft and unconsolidated. Very little ice around. I my opinion the climbing in the Northern Corries is finished for this season - certainly I won't be going back.

Simon Tickle

srtickle at bigfoot dot com

The Vent - Northern corries.

Grade III

Light winds and very slight snowfall, clouds hovering around 4000 feet all day. Freezing level at the top of the cliffs.

Despite the thigh deep snow whilst edging round the Great Slab and at the base of the gully there was little build up in the narrows. The lower chock stone presented an entertaining overhang with a very inviting cave below, and no water ice except at the very back of the cave. The upper bulge was better frozen but still thin. The rocks from the upper bulge were white with lots of rime but neither it nor the snow was frozen to the rock. He upper funnel contained good neve. The climb is grade 2/3 or 3 depending which guide book. This was closer to 4.

Jeremy Parker

jeremy_parker at barclays dot net

Western Rib, Coire an' Sneachtda. Access path heavy going with lots of soft snow.

Grade III

Sunny, blue skies but fairly strong southerly wind(30 mph?). Cloud moved in late afternoon.

Lots of poor quality fresh snow on the cliffs. Very little ice on route. Had to do a variation on first pitch (III,4). Lots of hoarfrost higher up on the route making progress quite slow. Other parties seen on White Magic, Goat Track Gully and Red Gully.

Colin McGregor

cmacgreg at amgraphics dot co dot uk