In reply to Andrew Barker: Yep things didn't pan out as expected; that new powder had me running away from the final knife-edge on Mhiccoinnich but, like you said, a superb day. The sugary old snow is a blow to climbing much steep just now.
Thaw right to the tops yesterday and freezing level back down to foot of the Bhasteir gorge today certainly cemented the snow pack down.
See you at the weekend..