Lochaber locals might not want to be picky, but it is possible that they are wondering why a giant ice axe has appeared on the pier at Fort William.
The 15ft sculpture has been erected to promote this year’s Fort William Mountain Festival, running from Wednesday – Sunday February 15-19.
The event brings together an amazing line up of world-class athletes, speakers, and films.
Wednesday’s launch night will be a sight to behold, when – weather permitting – there will be a torchlight descent of Aonach Mor by ski and mountain bike.
In the Pinemarten Cafe bar, with views over Nevis Range Mountain Resort, there will be an interactive, informative evening about the legend of the Nevis Landscape.
Participants will hear about ancient pinewood forests and ground-breaking discoveries on the north face of Ben Nevis.
This will be followed by a fascinating presentation from an extreme sports enthusiast and adventurer – Deano Dunbar.
Thursday night will be climbing night at the Nevis Centre where a selection of films will be played followed by headline speaker, climber Hazel Findlay.
Friday is running and bike night with a studio evening with Katherine and David Lowrie as they tell of their adventures in South America. Then there will be a presentation by elite mountain runner Shane Ohly.
World champion mountain bike trial rider Martyn Ashton and British mountain bike champion and explorer Lee Craigie will also be speakers.
Saturday is back country skiing night with Simon Christy, an off piste ski coach and seeker of steep ski lines.
Also on Saturday mountain legend Sir Chris Bonington tells the extraordinary story of a life time journey of discovery, pushing the limits from his discovery of climbing at the age of 16 through to repeating his epic first ascent of the Old Man Hoy to celebrate reaching the age of 80.
There will be a mountain literature book festival on Saturday afternoon.
