Iain Small on the second pitch of The Great Prow (VII,8) on Blaven, Skye. Exceptionally snowy conditions brought the route into unusual winter condition. (Photo Simon Richardson)
Iain Small and I were very fortunate to visit Skye last Sunday January 10. The Cuillins looked magnificent in their winter garb, but travel looked difficult with feet of snow and plumes of spindrift on the Ridge. We ploughed up through thigh-deep snow on Blaven looking for something icy to climb, but were drawn to The Great Prow that was draped in powder. It gave an absorbing winter climb that become increasingly icy as we reached the top. The crux was as per the summer route and overall we felt the route to be VII,8. We finished in the dark and gingerly down climbed Scuppers Gully, fearful that it would avalance, before starting the long slippery drive home.
