Uni Nav Day

Today was the first practical day for the year and it was looking like it was going to be a wet one. Heading out with Rich, Rory, Alan and Scott. Getting to collage we fond out that we where going to be head a way for the normal Fort William and Glencoe areas. Instead head to Fersit for a bit of a change of place. The day was to be a refresh of skill. It was great to be out putting skills learnt least year in to use. With Scott giving more tips and advise on the way. We managed to get a lag in a pass and got done Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg. With all that it bit not even get a good shower in just a bit of sunshine for the walk out. Now thinking that I need to get on and do my ML training before the start off winter.

Great view looking over Loch Treig from the top of Stob Coire Sgriodain.

Even the sunshine came out for the walk off Chno Dearg.

Climbing at Moy Rock

Head up to Moy Rock last friday with Dan, Sally and Connor. As it was looking like driest place to be. On the drive up it was looking like it could go ether way but it managed to hold off all day. Getting on with the climbing was a bit odd as it was conglomerate rock so lots of possibilities. Got a far bit done thow end up not feeling like climbing hard and  just had a bit of a chilled time. Even go a bit of sun to the point that Dan had to climb with a top off to do The Dark Side. The 2 bast routs of the day for myself was Fighting off the Vultures F6a+** and Corvus F5+**.

Dan climbing Little Teaser

Connor have a bit of moment whilst climbing Corvus F5+** 

Dan finishing the day off with Pyramid F6a+*

UHICC Enduro Dual Slalom Universe Championship Brodie

Last Thursday was the UHI Cycling Club Enduro Dual Slalom Universe Championship. It was a great laugh to meet and race against people. I fond it was not the eases thing to ride but still get to give a go. Managed to make it thought one round. To then be knock and then become the cameraman. Still a great time with beers and BBQ had at the end.

Fiona going for it

Pete getting a bit lose

Mark in the zone

People enjoying the push back up

Alastair getting close to eating dirt 

The Croy getting a bit wild

UHI Cycling Club jersey

Chef Mark working hard on the BBQ

Brodie of the winning run

Run about Ring of Steel

Last Thursday head out with Connor for a RUN. Something that I do not do much of or in fact at all. The plan way bike you to Steel Fall car pick and head out form there.

Ride into Steel Falls car park

Nice warm up run to Steel Falls

First off nice warm up ride on the bikes then a run up to Steel Falls. Connor setting the pace for the day. Getting over the river at the Fall saw some funny foot work form him. This lead to the first big climb up and into the cloud. 

Connor trying to keep his feet dry 

Connor failing to keep his feet dry

Steel Falls looking nice

The start of the up hill

Happy to be on the first top

Being in the cloud would be us for the rest of the day. Thow we were pretty warm form run so was not to bad to be cold off by it. It was non stop day other then a bit off food and water here and there we where pretty much on the go all the time. Head a bit of fun working out where about we where going in the cloud.

Onward into the cloud

More up hill

Made it to another top

And even more up hill 

Heading off into the cloud

After work play on the Etive

I headed out on Wednesday with Dave from work for a play on the Etive. I was not too sure what the water level was going to be. I thought we could have ended up walking quite a bit between the drops but after getting there we found the water to be at a good level to paddle down without having to walk. This was the first paddle experience since completing my level 1 BCU coach in June so I was rusty to begin with however I was successful in doing a full run without swimming. I even managed to roll back up when upside down in the letter box. It was great to be back in a boat, I need to make most of the wet weather and get out a bit more.

Dave showing how's it done.

Making it look easy as all ways

Going in to Right Angle 

Going over Right Angle

Ben Nevis Girdle Traverse

Last Tuesday Ewan and I tried to do the Girdle Traverse on Ben Nevis. We had a plan of bivving out the night before at the CIC hut then an early start the next day. On the walk up the track on Monday evening things where feeling great. Tops where off as it was still hot from the day. After a sweaty walk we made it to the CIC hut and the Ben was looking good. As soon as we stopped the midges came out, it was going to be a good nights sleep. We had both gone for a different approach on what to sleep in. Ewan was going for just a sleeping bag and mat as the weather was looking good over night and I had gone for just a bivvy bag, sleeping bag liner and mat. Safe to say not the best night sleep you could hope for before a long day of climbing. 

Loving the walking in the sun

Sunset over CIC track

Bed for the night

Looking forward to sleep

Waking up to see that it was 3.55am was the greatest feeling as the morning coffee could be had. After a good helping of porridge for breakfast and coffee time to make the walk in. We had a bit of a way to go as we started pretty much on CMD. So a nice warm up for the day. Getting up to the start or should I say where we think it started form. The guide book description was not the best. We started climbing at 6.15am so the adventure had begun and it was looking like it was going to be a long day. Moving across the face we knew that we wanted to be on the second tiers of North East Buttress to put us on the right level to cross Orion Face and get over Point 5. Pretty much guessing my way on the lead. Getting to North East Buttress we could see right over to The Gap and where we could have a food stop but on for now. The ground we were on was lose and slimy in bits so having to stay switched on all the time. This was going to be the theme for the day. It had taken us a lot longer to cover the ground fast. Although this was meant to be the crux of the route, getting to Point 5 and crossing it.

Where do you think we are head? © Ewan McKay

The adventure starts

Still happy

Looking over to Tower Ridge from the top of Orion Face

Move lovely ground to cross © Ewan McKay

Crossing Point 5

Crossing Point 5 was not as bad as we thought it was going to be. Although getting there we realised that we were meant to be on a lower shelf and the only way to get there quickly was to do two abseils down. This was to be off a nice old peg and nut. Sadly as I was the heaviest I got to test them first. Getting down the abseil then to find a nice size block (Ewan's face says it all in the photo below) for the next abseil off Ewan got to test this one first.

Old peg and nut abseil © Ewan McKay 

Nice block abseil or the face of fear

Getting down to the top of Tower Scoop we had to cross a nice snow slope as Ewan was in boots he got the job of making me steps to walk in. He used a nut key to plunge into the snow for support (more in the mind than being actually useful). Although I did follow suit. Getting over the snow a quick climbing up to Tower Gap for a post of food. By time we got there it had gone 11am so not doing to bad on time as we not too sure where we were going. Looking at the next half was going to be a long slog. Next came an abseil down Glovers Chimney which turned out to be very fruitful finding £20. Ewan now leading the way around to Number 2 Gully. So far in the day we had sunshine sadly it was not to last. Mid way down the face the cloud came in and visibility was not good. To make this even better the ground we where on was the worst of the day being wet, slimy, lose and just all about bad. Somehow we picked a way down to the gully. Getting to the gully the cloud was still down and we decided to bug out as Ewan liked to put it. As we where not too sure on where the route goes for the second half. 

Going down Glovers Chimney © Ewan McKay 

Glover's Chimney

Onward to Number 2 Gully

Cloud come down 

Just about see me © Ewan McKay

Nice wet rock

Where are we going now? © Ewan McKay

Walking down Number 2 it started to rain so in a odd way made me happy that we called it. Although it was short lived as when getting to the CIC hut the cloud and rain had stopped. It was all most looked like it could be lifting. Maybe we should have waited it out and not just gone. But I guess its what you think is right at the time. This does mean we will be going back again to get it done.

On the way filmed bit of climbing and and thoughts of what the climb was like.

Ben Nevis Girdle Traverse from Mark Chambers on Vimeo.