The Dog’s Danglies on K9 and Window Gully

20 Feb

A week of heavy snow on gale-force south westerlies rendered many approaches to the popular north and east facing crags fairly serious and covered the cliffs themselves in powder. Wanting none of the peril and the arduous clearing required on those aspects, we opted for a day on the west facing Lurcher’s crag – a reliably icy venue in such conditions.

Joe approaching the start of Window Gully. The upper icefall of K9 can just be seen in the centre of the photo.

 

This was my fourth visit to the crag and I hadn’t seen Window Gully (V, 5) looking as good as this before. Being able to spy a complete-looking icefall in the upper reaches of K9 (IV, 4) sealed the deal and we set off for the impressive lower pitches. Joe’s first pitch involved thin climbing on soft ice – not difficult to climb but it was hard to protect, so Joe didn’t try. In a few minutes we were stood at the base of the crux second pitch.

Andy approaching the final steepening after a rising traverse on slightly worrying ice. Photo credit: Joe Dobson

 

The direct start to this pitch was too thin and delaminated, so Andy traversed up and right then back left on increasingly hollow-sounding ice, until below the pillar drooling down from the lip of the roof. The ice improved here and with a couple of good screws Andy swiftly dispatched the final steepening.

Andy approaching the final steepening after a rising traverse on slightly worrying ice. Photo credit: Joe Dobson

 

Andy pulling the final bulge on the crux second pitch – good ice where we needed it! Photo credit: Joe Dobson

 

The next pitch involved a series of entertaining grooves and steps formed by huge bosses of ice cascading over short walls. Once through these I made for the upper icefall of K9, worried that it’s bleached appearance didn’t bode well. Joe was optimistic though and discovered the slightly more shaded right hand side to harbour reasonable ice.

Joe cruising up plastic ice on the right hand upper icefall of K9. The left hand side had suffered somewhat in the sun!

 

Rejoining the upper reaches of Window Gully we climbed through more bulges and ice-covered slabs, seeking out the most interesting climbing. A rope-stretching pitch took us to a corner containing amazing wind-sculpted ice features, which led swiftly to easy ground and the top.

A lean and icy Lurchers Crag as seen from the approach to Braeriach. Window Guly is the wide ice streak left of the obvious Central Gully. Photo credit: Andy Inglis

 

Eight pitches of ice in the sun with good mates is tough to beat, but with a thaw and refreeze on the cards and high pressure building, its about to get even better!

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