The day we drove up it was damp and drizzly leaving Ash and myself less than optimistic. However the following morning dawned clear and crisp after a frosty night. As the sun rose we could see the top half of the mountains draped in snow. Under the pale blue dawn light, we made our way up the stony path towards the base of the North Buttress.
Ashley preparing to gear-up at start
The climb follows the left skyline
Scrambling up rock and heather led to firm snow, and as the sun rose so did our spirits. The initial snow slopes abutted steeper rock walls, which is where we stopped to don the rope. Once roped up we made our way up the chimney system which was mostly filled with crisp snow and clear shiny ice. The second pitch presented a vertical thrutch up rock with just a glaze of ice. This proved to be the crux.
