In reply to Martin Hore:
> Do you know from your conversation with LMRT whether they are following this thread? Seems to me there's a lot of helpful information on here today that could help narrow the search tomorrow if they can get out.
Yes, they're aware of what's being posted on these particular threads as well as on the likes of Facebook. They're also aware of Rachel's logbook and experience/winter background.
> I'm assuming Tim and Rachel's tent has been searched and no climbing gear found (ie they were heading out for a climb, and one that required their full rack). Given their experience and ability, the late-ish start Saturday, and the direction they were heading, that should narrow it down to a few climbs in the Carn Dearg, Castle Ridge area, as has been suggested.
Rachel's car was recovered very early on, likewise the tent, although I don't know anything about its contents. I was asked about the colour of Rachel's rucsac (I said black but it's one of those things I wouldn't notice unless it's unusual). So, there may only have been sleeping and cooking kit in the tent.
Before the car was recovered, I had actually wondered if they'd walked out from the Ben and gone somewhere else for the afternoon, but that seems unlikely as they'd probably have driven. I also wondered if they were dropping down the path in order to better access Carn Mor Dearg, perhaps to do the CMD arete, but at 1200? I'm not so sure. They seemed to be early risers (0430 alarm call for Point Five last year, and they'd finished the route by 1030), so when I saw them at 1200 maybe they'd already climbed a route? Maybe they had retreated because of snow/ice conditions? When I first saw Tim (I'm assuming now it could only be him) he was sitting on the wall directly in front of the door into the CIC with his arms folded and his chin resting on them. I remember thinking he seemed quite despondent. Please remember these are just my initial impressions, all formed in a split second.
> The sighting by Peter Milner seems to have been the Italians on Shield Direct, but the ice fall Peter describes could have involved another party in the area. The Italians might have some information?
I agree that this would be worth checking.
> It seems that no-one saw Rachel and Tim after lunchtime Saturday - but do the SMC have contact details for those who were staying at the CIC Saturday night who might have spotted them if they returned that evening and set out again Sunday?
I wondered about this too. Did anyone spot or hear any activity/torch lights around the hut on Saturday night/early Sunday morning? At 1200 on Saturday, their tent was the only one pitched at the CIC. Other tents were on the mountain, but nowhere near the CIC e.g. Lochan na Ciste. While it's probably a best guess, given the circumstances, that they may have been heading towards the Castle area, I was encouraged to see that areas like Coire Leis have been searched already. The Little Brenva Face is such a quiet part of the Ben and hidden from sight. Although there are no super classic lines there, which seemed to appeal to them (and why not?).
> Just a few thoughts having read today's posts which just might be helpful to someone in touch with the LMRT. I expect they have taken these things into account already.
The more thoughts the better. This is being stressed by LMRT too, that we all continue to discuss possibilities. Ultimately, with the collective experience of the search teams involved, absolutely everything that can be done will be done.
> I wasn't on the Ben last weekend, and haven't been there for a while. I did meet Rachel by chance at several crags around the country in 2013 - she's an exceptional young climber.
Some happier times from Rachel's blog:
https://rachslater.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/first-winter-experience-on-the-...