It was with mixed feelings we (Jon Punshon and myself) drove back down the road on New Years Eve, having had an excellent trip personally but saddened by the news of three people losing their lives in avalanche related incidents. Roxcool would like to formally send its condolences to the family and friends of those involved. The weather in our first two days was almost perfect, being very cold (-15 on Rannoch Moor) and very settled with virtually no wind and even a bit of sun! There was a slight risk of avalanches forecast, so with this in mind we decided to give 'The Ben' a wide berth and headed down to Beinn Udlaidh for a spot of ice climbing...This proved to be so good on the first day we headed back there the second day! This corrie comes into condition fairly rapidly and we were not disappointed with what we found. There are plenty of starred routes in this quarry with Quartzvein Scoop (IV, 4), Peter Pan (V, 5), South Gully of Black Wall (IV,4) to name but a few. The weather on our third day changed somewhat! The cool dry settled conditions were a contributing factor in the avalanches that occured today...having strong winds meat all that snow that had fell prior to our arrival in Kinlochleven was being deposited around the hills leaving many slopes unstable. If you are planning to go out on the hills in winter for what ever reason please do your homework, look at whats been happening over a period of time and not just on the day you intend on going out, check avalanche reports here http://www.sais.gov.uk/ if going to Scotland and get as much information as possible!!! Enjoy the hills but be careful out there folks!