I have been up in Fort William for the last week, working for West Coast Mountain Guides. The weather has generally been superb with cold temperatures and brief snow flurries, resulting in good ice build up high on Ben Nevis.

Although the previous weeks thaw stripped the snowpack back considerably, there is still plenty of build up. As a result routes such as 'Smiths Route' and lines on Indicator Wall are in good condition despite some brittle ice. Slightly lower on the mountain lines such as 'Green Gully', 'Comb Gully', and 'Central Gully Right Hand' are also in good condition.

Slightly further south ice was forming on the West Face of Aonach Dubh in Glen Coe, and I would hazard a guess that Beinn Udlaidh might be worth a visit.

On Aonach Mor there is also plenty of good ice but with some big cornices which caught at least one party out on Tuesday during their ascent of 'Right Twin'! Sandy Paterson and Luke Osborne climbed a number of lines at Aonach Mor on Sunday reporting good neve/snow ice and frozen turf.

Wednesday saw us out in Coire nan Lochain in Glen Coe with Nick leading 'Dorsal Arete'. (Matt Groves pictured, left). Here the snow was lean but it was still very wintery.

Back in the Peak District heavy snow overnight disrupted many of the transpennine routes leading to widespread delays. This snow will certainly be detrimental to many rock climbing venues and will take a few days to clear subject to good weather...