UKC

So

Was supposed to have spent 4 days in the cairngorms last weekend but had to cancel and very unlikely my climbing mate can get out this winter now. So I reckon I can get away on the 2nd week of April and just really want to improve on ice ( im a tentative grade 3 leader ). With all being considered do I

1) Head up to Scotland hope the conditions are still ok and find a random partner to climb with
2) Head to Scotland and get a guide for a few days
3) Head to Geneva and get a guide in one of the winter ice venues

I have reservations about all three and dont have any issues using guides

In reply to kingjam:

Personally? Number 2. If you're a tentative III leader, a few days on long routes moving fast with a guide will increase your confidence and knowledge about "what works" on that kind of terrain, and hopefully transfer through to your leading skills. Other than a ridiculously massive thaw (touch wood) there will be something "in" somewhere, even if you have to do big walks in to find it.

However, if I had the money and fancied a holiday climbing ice in teh sun I'd go for option 3!!

In reply to kingjam:
*Wherever I wander, my heart it will be,
Where Les Aiguilles des Cairngorms sweep down tae the Dee"
(T Patey)

In reply to kingjam:

Possibly depends how random your partner is going to be...