The build up of snow in the Scottish mountains has been watched in anticipation of an international climbing festival starting this weekend.
Streap Alba Geamhradh 2020, the International Scottish Winter Climbing Meet, from February 22-29, features international guests teaming up with UK climbers to climb classic routes, technical test-pieces and possibly brand new first ascents, getting a taste of the unique delights of winter climbing in Scotland.
A relatively warm December and January over Scotland’s high ground meant the festival was facing poor conditions in gullies and cliffs normally cloaked in the snow and ice that makes them an international draw for the world’s mountaineers.
But conditions are now improving.
Simon Richardson, one of Scotland’s foremost winter climbers and on the organising committee for the festival, said: “Participants of the International Winter Meet have been anxiously watching the Scottish weather for several weeks now.
“After the warm December and January the prospects for winter climbing looked bleak.
“Fortunately, the February conveyor belt of westerly storms has changed all that. There is plenty of snow across the Highlands, and ice is building rapidly.
“Ben Nevis, and the mountains of Glen Coe are ice-making machines that love frequent blizzards and rapid temperature fluctuations.
“The soft aerated Scottish ice occurs in very few parts of the world and is a delight to climb, and ice climbs in Scotland are highly sought after by International climbers.”