Central Gully.... Great End.......the very last climb...........probably....
With the warmer weather already here it was doubtful if we would be able to make a final ascent of Central Gully on Great End as planned.
There was plenty of snow on the walk in and an early start made us hopeful that the snow pack would be just firm enough to get up.
Initially the snow was quite soft and sugary and with some evidence of an old avalanche we considered backing off, but plodded up to the first pitch where things improved enough for us to go on up.
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| The top of Ruddy Gill |
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| Allen Crags and Ruddy Gill |
The snow pack was softish for most of the way and became very soft (as expected) on the exit.
All in all I guess that by the end of the weekend it won't be possible to make forward and upward progress through the gullies. What ice there was sounded a bit hollow in places and will be receding fast today.
If it does refreeze then it'll be amazing,....
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| The start, conditions looking promising |
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| Pitch One |
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| Left Branch ice looking very used |
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| Fisheye view of Left and Right Branch in the Ampitheatre |
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| Tea break in the Ampitheatre |
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| The upper exit slopes |
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| Then the rain came |
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| South-East and Central Gullies |
THE END
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