Left Edge Route on the Ben
Helen, Harry and I headed back up Observatory Gully to find something nice to climb, with no particular plan. We kept going higher and higher in the hope of finding something mixed in good condition, until we found ourselves standing underneath Gardyloo Buttress. Funnily enough, there was a roof up that way I wanted to look at, but it had no ice on until the lip. So we opted for something more slabby and had a chilled ascent of Left Edge Route (VI,5). The ice was a bit unreliable, and protection pretty bad, so it was a good idea to keep the weight on the feet. Thankfully, once over the steepness there was solid ice and a cruise to the top. On the way down there was talk of rock climbing..
Iain's 'Beers Goggles' - do Gardyloo Gully and it feels like Anubis! Don't strain your neck just lie on your back, close your eyes and feel the spin, or assume a closer position to the base of the route i.e. prop yourself against the cool ice and feel...nothing. Tremendous! Make yours a double and forget any fear you may have had or, in fact, anything at all - (only applies if you buy the whole bar - discounts and normal terms and completely out of condition applies).
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