Ritchie struggled through waist deep snow today to look at the downfall - a few wet icy smears but nothing on the main fall. He ended up to the right (looking at fall) and climbed an open gully which was holding good, deep ice (over rocks) with lots of frozen turf for extra placements! Approx. 20 -30m, Scottish Grd II/III and may have been 'Arpeggio gully'. A brilliant clear blue sky on the plateau!

Over towards Stanage there was still plenty of snow. The road from Ringinglow past Burbage North hasn't been cleared, making for interesting driving conditions to say the least. 4x4's and those with snow chains are at a definate advantage, other teams were seen walking in from near Ringinglow!

In addition, news from La Grave... "Lots of heavy snow on Tues 23rd Jan covering over most of the nth and sth valley walls of the Romanche valley in La Grave. No cascades in any sort of condition below the La Grave area in the guide. In La Grave the classic 'Le Pylone' was seeing quite a few ascents but was visibily getting thin as our time in La Grave wore on. The route 'La Colere du ciel' was the best bet with a very thin first pitch but superb ice on the last 3 pitches.

Fournel was much more reliable and noticably colder. We climbed 2 routes - the best being 'Les nains des ravines' (300m IV/4). Plenty in condition higher up the valley.

At the Col du Lauteret (Combe de Laurichard) we struggled through deep snow to climb the short and easy 'Bleu' (30m II/3) - raquettes made the going much easier on the approach!" Thanks Ritchie