Blue Riband

Today Rich P and I headed up to the South Flank of The Aonach Eagach for Blue Riband (V,5). On approach we saw head torches ahead but were way off to the right. As we got level with them they said they were looking for Blue Riband too. Thanks to them for letting us go first, especially as they drove over from Glenmore Lodge. Rich led up the first pitch, finding lots of hollow ice and water running down behind, however plenty of ice for screws. I took the second pitch which was a great 50m of climbing. We proceeded onto the final steep pitch which was definitely the crux today. It was very thin and weighed in with a technical 6 we thought. As we got higher on the route it was rapidly moving out of condition. It was very warm in the sun, melting alot of the ice away. The first two pitches are definitely worth doing.