We met at the Nevis ski slope. The guide was late. Felt like a bit of a cheat to get the lift up, but equally looking down at the people trudging up by foot I didn't particularly envious. The guide was pretty dismissive of them, but their option did seem a more honest way to get to the top.
The guide asked what I'd had for breakfast which initially seemed like interest but then felt like interrogation based on doubt that I'd eaten suitably. I tried to keep a cheerful demeanour, but it was a bit trying.
It was trudge through the snow to the base of the ridge which we'd use to ascend. Think the route was called Golden Oldy.
The route would have been fun with a different guide I think. But the wind was in my face, the snow was swirling and biting and for the first time on the mountain I was cold. Again, the guide just seemed kind of impatient. The least pleasant bit was a level but narrow ridge section where the guide move maybe 30 feet along while I waited. He seemed to take ages and I could hear him or see him and was unsure of what route to take along the ridge. I looked at the amount of loose rope between the 2 of us and for the first time on all my winter trips it felt like I was actually in danger. I had no choice but to plough on, but I wasn't too happy about it.
When we got to the top it was a complete whiteout and the wind was howling and full of snow. At this point the guide asked me to stand 15 feet behind him and proceded to do a very good job at navigating us back to the ski centre. I was cold at this point, but felt quite patient and zen like - there was nothing I could do to speed the process along and I felt confident that the guide would get us back off the submit in time.
Out of the cloud the sun appeared, as did a bunch of skiers. It seemed odd that 2 hundred metres away the weather was so different.
We did our best to ski back down the tight snow pack on our boots.
Long drive back through Fort William and back down to Glasgow through snow fall.
Before going on this trip I was thinking that I was going to build up to Mont Blanc later in the year. After the trip I felt like I wasn't sure I want to do any winter mountaineering again.
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