With "The Rest and be Thankful" closed and Fort William cut off for the
weekend due to a landslide, Craig and I decided an Alpine start was
required to beat the ‘crowds’ in the Coe. The walk into Stob Coire nan
Lochan is tortuous especially in the dark, and with a heavy bag, but in
strange perverse way I love it. We arrived at the Lochins in thigh deep
snow, high temperatures' and snow falling. Gullies all out of condition
had us opt for Boomerang Arête on Central Buttress. Dan and I had
climbed it a couple of years ago so I knew it was open to much
interpretation and would go. It did, but only just. Deep
unconsolidated snow, turf not frozen and being drowned in graupel had us
seek the easier line, and finally move together to the summit to be
battered by icy spindrift. Goggles on and light fading we headed off the
hill by the East ridge. A great day and VG for the hill fitness.
