Droidless, Coire an t-Sneachda...

I was back down in Derbyshire on Saturday talking at Outside's Winterfest - an great opportunity to talk to some keen Scottish winter climbers present and future.

On Sunday, I made the drive north in tricky conditions with the intention of climbing on Monday and Tuesday.  Kris Hill and I opted to head into Coire an t-Sneachda visiting the Mess of Pottage for a bit of a change.  I have done many of the more amenable routes in this area so we settled on 'Droidless' VI,6 (pictured).

Two varied pitches gave some fantastic climbing with some "hero hooks" over a steep bulge.  Well worth seeking out if you are in that area.

Carl, Jon Jones and Mark Chadwick climbed 'Pot of Gold' V,6, while James Turnbull, Adam and Aiden climbed 'The Message' IV,6 and 'Hidden Chimney Direct' IV,5.  Over the other side of the corrie Di Gilbert and Rich Bentley did a 'Stirling Bomber/Houdini' combo at around V/VI,7.  Finally, Keith Ball and Matt Stygall pulled 'Sticil Face' V,6 out of the bag on The Shelterstone...