|
|
|
|
|
touring & backcountry
|
|
|
Click on Thumbnail to view larger images. Click on Title for Image Index.
 Almost there...who has the key?
|
 The Ben comes into view after the steep climb through the forest..
|
Simon, pablo, freeskiing and Monsieur Ricard join me on the summit after taking an alternative route from the hut up the 'slope of doom' otherwise known as Coire Leis : )
|
 freeskiing cuts the bootpack for lap 2 in Coire Na Ciste
|
 freeskiing admiring 'The Ben' : )
|
 The Allt na Mhuillin and the last light fades to end a great day.
|
 On the summit plateau looking west towards Mull and Jura
| 
Route to the summit becoming very familiar. 3rd time in recent weeks up Obervatory/Tower gully. No bootpack trail to follow this time..suck it up!
|
 Turbine allows the hut to run electric lights far from the National grid
|  A hut with a view...Coire Na Ciste looking good
|
 Inside the CIC..superb mountain hut
|  CIC hut and the magnificent North Face of Ben Nevis by moonlight..
|
 Heading up the Allt na Mhuillin path in fantastic evening light..
|  The highest skier in the UK (again!) This spot is becoming very familiar!
|
 All headwalls are very firm so we make our way down to 3, 4 and 5 for a look
|  No 4 is the winner today and freeskiing decides to test out the firm headwall first...good man!
|
Click on Thumbnail to view larger images. Click on Title for Image Index.
|
:: Tour Route(s) or Location Skied/Ridden
Two night stay at the CIC hut situated underneath the North Face of Ben Nevis. Hiked up after a day's skiing at Nevis Range. Group split on the ascent from the CIC with the guys opting for Coire Leis while I favoured Observatory/Tower gully route. Headed en masse for Gully No 4 given the firmness of the headwalls. Skied No 4 and then hiked back up Coire Na Ciste to the narrows of No 3 for a bonus run : )
:: Weather Conditions
Blue skies, light winds, excellent visibility. FL 900n
:: Snow Conditions and Distrubtion
Gully headwalls very firm but lower down the snow was softer with excellent conditions in Coire Na Ciste.
:: Skiers/Riders
HighRustler, freeskiing, pablo, Simon and Monsieur Ricard
This report was posted by HighRustler at 02.38hrs on Tue 8th May 12
|
|
|
|