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 The Pony Track on Ben Nevis - Great training for Aconcagua

For the final day of Sebastian's expedition prep course we got the chance to test some his high altitude equipment in anger. He's away to Aconcagua with Adventure Peaks in a few days so we swapped the False Polish Traverse for the Ben's Pony Track and went for a battle with the conditions in a pair of Millet Everest boots. Fair play, if a little foolish, to the two gentlemen who followed us to the summit in their trainers! The wind was gusting 80mph plus across the plateau but we were comfortable without crampons. MacLean's Steep had drifted in with plenty of soft slab which settled with a huge 'whumpf' as we approached. The forecast had predicted -26oC at 900m with windchill so we were glad to pop into the summit shelter for a spot of lunch. We descended via Red Burn which did require crampons before rejoining the Pony Track for the descent to Glen Nevis

 Spot the difference - Descending from Camp 2 on Aconcagua

 Following the cairns across the summit plateau

 Battling against the 80mph winds on the summit

 Enjoying lunch in the Ben Nevis summit shelter - sponsored by Millet!

Stunning conditions on the descent via Red Burn

Aconcagua Training

 Good neve on the slopes of Catsycam

Just another alpine day in the Lake District fells! Today I was working for Activius with Alison who's away to attempt Aconcagua in the new year.Today was all about fine tuning her crampon work and looking at some of the strategies she could use on this very big and very cold mountain. a brisk walk up to Red Tarn was followed by a spot of self arrest on the slopes of Catsycam. We eventually topped out before following the ridge along to Swirral Edge and the summit of Helvellyn. There were some great views across to the Central Fells but while the Keswick and Penrith were basking in the sunshine the Southern Lakes were hidden under a cloud inversion. We descended the same way dropping south in to the snow bowl and to the shores of Red Tarn.

The soggy snow pack from earlier in the week has refrozen giving some great conditions in the easier gullys. There was ice on the paths above 400m but the watercourses were all still running. The mixed routes on Viking Buttress looked very bare to half height but then there was a wee build up of rime, probably not enough to tempt me but plenty of other teams were out and about and most of the routes on the East face were climbed today. A couple of more mature gentleman reported a large cornice overlooking Nethermost Gully although it received a number of ascents yesterday. The ridges were in great condition with perfect neve over all the difficulties. With a thaw and gales forecast to arrive on Friday tomorrow could be the last opportunity to enjoy the current good conditions.

 Ullswater & the Northern Lakes in the sun

 Cloud inversion over the Southern Lakes with Steel Fell & Coniston Old Man breaking through

Plenty of climbing teams topping out on Helvellyn

Some cornicing above the East Face but everything well frozen