Finally a decent forecast. It had been a fickle season so far.

Winter climbers were making their winter pilgrimages to the Northern Corries that Friday night and we were on the M74 with them all.

We woke up to snow and gales in the Coire na Ciste car park. Stove lit, tea brewed, pack donned.

Creagan Cha-no was our crag of choice and we were psyched to get up there. North-East facing it would hopefully be sheltered from the strong winds that were forecast and with its short punchy mixed routes would hopefully be in good nick.

The vast plateau was like an artic tundra and deeply pleasing to traverse. As we reached the crag, huge cornices overhung the gullies like crazy whopping marshmallows. Not the kind of things to be underneath today - avalanche roulette. Thankfully further along there were a few routes that looked good to abseil down to.

Scottish winter can sometimes be kind and beautiful, sometimes a mass of cold, wind and type two suffering; today was a delightful cocktail of the two.

Spindrift pouring down our necks, hands burning with hot aches and shivering on belays as your partner digs out placements high above you, displaced with incredible views and glimpses of sun.

After backing off our first route we headed over to the classic of the crag, ‘Anvil Gully’ and it was not to disappoint! Frozen turf, solid hooks and a sweet shuffly chimney, the first pitch was classssic!

A quick re-organise of the rack, some more hot aches and a touch of spindrift for good measure and the second pitch was sent with wide legs, more hooks and a snowy top out. Buzzing.

The days are short at this time of year and as we coiled the ropes the sun was dropping out of view.

Walking off the hill with our big mitts on and head torches cutting through the darkness we smiled with immense satisfaction and there was only one thing left to do, PIZZAAAA!

Molly is well worth a follow on instagram @molliie_anne for a mix of climbing, wild swimming, trail running and van life...