With Matt we climbed the Needle today, it's a 3 star E1, 270 metres of wonderful granite! Normally at this time of year it's encrusted in snow but the weather has been exceptionally warm, although today was well cold on our fingers as the crag faces North-East and the ambient temperature was not as warm as forecasted. It's been an ace day though, although I found the granite climbing a bit awkward this early in the season and my cold stubby fingers did not help. The other day we climbed Magic Crack but had the sun and it was rather perfect. However we enjoyed The Needle, it truly is an outstanding classic climb on the spectacular Shelter Stone crag in the Loch Avon basin. 
Matt ( left) and your truly after the climb!
