SW Ridge – Douglas Boulder
Posted by Max Hunter on 13th January, 2017
Can you spot the team on Observatory Ridge?
Teams on Ciste Crag and Comb Gully
Today I met up with Hannah, who is up in the area for a quick hit of winter climbing. Dave Buckett was along for the ride to observe an MIC doing their job. We chose to go up to the Douglas Boulder, and climb the SW Ridge. This would give a good mixed climb, and also a chance to see the condition on the mountain – which is definitely awkward at the moment. There were many teams venturing higher up, and we saw a team in Comb Gully, and a team on Observatory Ridge. At the end of our climb they were still heading up, and the team on Ob. Ridge were still quite low – so I think they had a long day ahead of them. They probably lost a lot of time just getting to the base of the climb. There was a lot of fresh loose snow around, and it has collected into deep drifts, especially on lee slopes. Our climb went well, and after our abseil into the Douglas Gap, we found waist deep loose snow in the East descent gully – I’ve never known it so hard to get down hill through snow – it was harder than the climb! It was the same on all the steepenings down towards Observatory Gully.
We saw several teams head out early in the day. The conditions are not only lean, but now there is loose unconsolidated snow in many places, making progress very difficult, so decision making will be important for the next few days, to get a good climb, and stay safe.
Panorama from CIC
Dave moving up to the belay
Fun hooking corner
Awkward move
Hannah after the fun difficulties
Hannah after the abseil
Hannah high on Douglas Boulder
Dave abseiling down from the summit
Ben Nevis North Face on 13th Jan 2017 from Max Hunter on Vimeo.