Objectives

The main objective was to have fun and everyone agreed that we’d met this goal.

An important secondary objective of the tour was to introduce younger members of the club to winter climbing with the hope that the skills they acquired would stay in the club for years to come. As no-one sold their boots afterwards I would consider this achieved! The main difficulties of winter climbing for the club are the long drive, variable conditions and the high cost of entry. It is hoped that with the recent purchase of boots (joint with outdoor club) will remove one of the most expensive purchases that aspiring mountaineers have to make (boots are ~£300) and will increase participation in this sport.

Attendees

• Jonathan Hazell
• Ruth Lawson
• James Lawson
• Joe Weston
• Ben Coope
• Tom Wheeler
• Hamzah

Tour Diary

Day one

Getting an early start for the 14 hour bus journey to Scotland we packed up the bus in record time and set off at 10am. Our excitement reached unprecedented levels when the first flakes of snow were spotted on the M6. Unfortunately this caused a traffic jam, but we managed to avoid it with a scenic tour of Staffordshire. The trip almost ended for two of the tour’s members when they decided to save some money by buying some bread and chicken from a M&S at a service station. All was going well, until a comment from Ben about how the chicken was a little squishy lead to the discovery of cooking instructions, Tom had already wolfed the whole packet… Fortunately all was well, and much fun was had in Glasgow’s Tescos buying food before arriving at our palace for the week.

Day two

First day of climbing for the more experienced members and the first day of winter skills course for the novices. The guide Kevin came to the palace to talk us through what we would be doing, he changed his plan from a two day winter skills course to a one day winter skills course and a day climbing an easy route. The first day we got used to walking around in the snow, wearing crampons, using iceaxes, self belays and self arrests. The day was tiring but great fun. Kevin took the novices back to the palace and we got started on food. Roast pork with potatoes and veg. Parsons and friends arrived late in the evening.

Day Three

Again the older members went to do some climbing of their own before having to supervise the novices. Kevin and the novices set off up a grade I climb, with Tom, Ben, Hamzah and Ruth getting their first winter climb! This was very valuable as Kevin was able to solo around the leaders (something that we would not be able to do as a club) showing them how to find gear placements in the snow and demonstrating winter specific belay techniques. The novices got down early again and got on with food, Roast lamb shoulder (reduced from Tesco) with rice, mash and veg. Parsons’ crew were impressed with our culinary skills…perhaps we could increase them with a cooking course?

Day Four

Joe took Tom and Ben up the Slant (grade II) splitting it into three pitches to give the two novices a good chance of leading. Joe’s team topped out first due to alpine efficiency and got off the mountain in good time. James took Hamzah up the same route as Joe’s team with James leading the whole route in the recommended two pitches. Jonathan took Ruth up a slightly harder route with Jonathan leading both pitches, first route climbed with overhanging steps! (variation of Hidden Chimney) At the top the two separate parties bumped into each other and agreed to navigate off together. Conditions were sub-optimal with strong winds(gusting up to 50mph), minimal visibility and heavy snow. However, good navigational skills from Jonathan in challenging conditions got us safely off and back to the bus where Joe’s party were ready and waiting for us. Dinner was cooked by Parsons’ group chilli and there was gateaux.

Day Five

Joe, Tom and Ben wanted to try the route Jonathan and Ruth did the day before so set off early for a day on the hill whilst everyone else took a well earned rest day. Bourbons with whipped cream were eaten in abundance in the command palace. Dinner was cheesy-eggy- pasta with sausages and veg.

Day Six

“Raining at all altitudes” – were not the words we wanted to hear and looking out the window the previously picturesque white landscape had transformed to a patchy white, green and mostly brown view. For the group who had a rest day on day five this was very disappointing, but unavoidable. So we took a trip to Avimore, but didn’t have time for a trip to a distillery. The evening was spent playing hide and seek, with more obscure and precarious places found as the night progressed. Dinner was curry.

Day seven

The long drive home, with a slightly detoured route to drop Joe, James, Ruth and Ben at various locations on route. We were also able to pick up some winter boots jointly bought

by ICMC and Outdoor Club.

Financial Breakdown

Income: Members contributions: £150 each (£1050) IC Trust and CSB contribution: £273.

Total: 1323.

Expenditure: Minibus: £414. Fuel: 325. Accommodation: £426. Food:137.

Total: £1303.