Posted back end of Nov last year, seeking advice on a Winter Mountaineering 
course I was contemplating doing with Jagged Globe.  Wasn't familiar with 
the company's suggested climbs, so I sought recommendations.  Anyway, took 
onboard the advice, booked, and completed the course last week.  Fantastic 
week, with plenty of snow and, what I thought as a beginner, excellent 
climbing.

Started on day 1 with refreshing winter skills in the Buachaille Etive Mor 
area, covering iceaxe arrest, crampon use and rope work on steep snow 
slopes.  Very good day, with stunning view from the top of the gully we 
ascended.

Day 2 we climbed Dorsal Arête on the right-side of Broad Gully below Stob 
Coire nan Lochan.  Weather pretty bleak, but the snow was reasonable with 
some compact frozen areas.  Long walk in from Glen Coe, and what seemed an 
even longer walk out after descending Broad Gully.

Day 3 was a ride in the Nevis Ski Range gondola and chair lift, followed by 
about 40 minute walk to our climbing area on Aonach Mor.  Again, in the 
cloud and a little windy with fine snow falling.  However, once we abseiled 
down to the start, we escaped the wind.  Another good climb, which was 
rewarded with some fantastic evening views on the way down after the clouds 
rose.  And, thanks to Ed Chard, our instructor for the day, a very nice 
'gate' through the cornice for our exit!

Day 4 was a real challenge .... and a 9 hour outing!  Drove up to the 
parking area, passing Nevis Ski area, and walked in to near the CIC hut. 
Turned up towards Number 3 Gully, and slowly made our way up the snow.  Had 
a drink and bite to eat, then on gear and continued up to the buttress on 
the left of the gully.  Great climb, although long and a difficult, with a 
tricky rock step close to the top. Late topping out, 4:15pm. so we had a 
rather dark and late walk back to the transport.  Good recommendation to 
carry head torches!

Day 5, our final day, was the Stob Coire nan Lochan horseshoe.  Lot of 
snow-melt overnight, so the scramble up the zigzag route at the start was 
rather wet.  Good ridge walk to the base, then we reached the snow again for 
the final ridge to the summit.  Not as technical as previous outings, but 
still an exciting summit.  Clouds again cleared on the way down providing 
more stunning views.

So, over the week we worked up to Scottish Grade II, then Grade II/III on 
Aonach Mor, followed by Grade III from No 3 Gully Ben Nevis, finishing with 
the Stob Coire nan Lochan horseshoe.

Ironic really, as it was only last September that I plucked up courage to 
cross Sharp Edge to Blencathra in the Lake District!

Thanks to all who provided advice.

A selection of pretty 'snowy' mountain photos in a slideshow at the web 
address below.

-- 
Sandy Saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk

'Mountains or Mole Hills .....
summiting still brings the
same excitement'