It was lot warmer than forecast today with temperatures a couple of degrees above freezing in the Fort. A forecast of 50-70mph summit winds persuaded us to avoid the tops today so we headed for Smoking the White Owl on Sgurr Finnisg-Aig which is accessed from the Nevis Range car park. A 3km gentle walk through the forest leads to the base of the route which is a long water ice climb totaling 450m and given a grade of III,4. Today the lower pitches had melted out and we skirted round them to climb 3 long pitches of ice from grade III to IV. It would be possible to choose easier lines and the ice got better as we got higher but there was lots of running water and it was cruddy in places. I would wait for the next freeze before climbing it again! We had a good day with the boys enjoying their first ever ice climb and learning how to place screws, efficient movement on ice and ice screw belays.
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