The Big Top

Yesterday Graham and I walked up to the West Face of Aonach Dubh and climbed The Big top (E1 5a). On approach, some of the crag had several seepage lines, however the route was bone dry. Graham led up the first pitch after about 3 months out of action after a fall in the Lakes, and I led the next 3 pitches. Exposure was at maximum revs and the climbing was very entertaining. The descent down number 4 gully wasn't much fun and took a bit of time. The high pressure meant that it was warm up on the crag but it was breezy enough to keep the midgies and sweat away. I'm off down into England and Wales for a climbing trip. Who knows where I'll end up . . . .