Well the snow definitely settled yesterday and after a few minutes clearing and gritting the drive I head to Silecroft, via KA. I had thought there might be less snow 'out west' but that's not really the case, Black Combe is very white, it's cold and breezy too, with cloud below the summits.
It's a hard initial climb and the angle eases but it's a long pull to the summit; the cloud closes in and it's difficult to even to follow the main path. Once at the summit it's time to grab and use the map and compass, but that's only after dealing with a minor kit malfunction, the zip pocket on the pack has frozen solid ! Our jackets and faces are also encrusted with ice !
Anyway we head off North'ish on a bearing, and reassuringly following footsteps. The clouds clear a little and we are soon heading round the head of the horseshoe towards White Combe, again on a bearing. Then to the sheep feeder, which ain't no more !, and a steep descent to the valley bottom. Here it's time to have a wee hot drink........matching flasks, how sweet, and a choccie bar. We need this as the second climb up to the South summit of Black Combe is a BB ! Again on a bearing, with barely any vis, but we get to within a few metres of the summit cairn (that was a relief !).
Then another bearing for the straight line to the main path and back down to Silecroft. A great route and although testing conditions a good run out.
Wot no Cali !
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