Two Twins

A great day out on Aonach Mor. Thow it was ormost sand bag. Last night at the Clachaig Winter Safety Lecture Mark asked if I fancy getting out on Green Gully. After being talked into we had a plan. I was to borrow most my gear from people at the talk and we where to meet at 7.30. We where on. Then in the morning things started to go a bit wrong. Someone else for head the Ben key and the ice screws we need. Time to change. After making some calls, got some screws from Ewan. We where back on and off to Aonach Mor. Gondola up and small walk to the top of Easy Gully to get the add into the crag.

How need to walk in.

Getting to the crag it was a bisy with fue teams on all the Twins but for Right Twin. Heading up it was looking ok.  When getting on the lead fond it to be wet as.... Got to the top belay ok and Mark made fast work of the last pitch.

Still had time we had back down Easy Gully and onto Forgotten Twin. This was not as wet as Right Twin as the sun had not be on it for much of the day. We head up looking to get the a balay and ended up soloing the route together. Most of the way having steps up.

Bouldering By Night and Cavalry Crack Buttress

Might have miss out on the great weather in the mountain but managed to get out to Polldubh for a bit of bouldering in the night and some trad routs. Head up on Sunday night after work for a bit of a night boulder with Dan and Ewan. Ewan and myself got Pagan Uilleann sent after a bit of work on the moves. The kneebar feels great now when it works. Moving off it is so easy love it.

Bouldering By Night from Mark Chambers on Vimeo.

Then Monday and Tuesday headed to Cavalry Crack Buttress with James to get on the lead. Did The Old Wall on Monday a great VS. As the guild book say "Protection is noticeably lacking" but what there is boomer and good holes to be fond all the way up. Form the top of The Old Wall James lead the top pitch of Heatwave.

Today we want back again with Storm being are tick to get sent. James was to do the first pitch and me the next two. After a triky start James beside to get go up the first pitch of Heatwave to get to the bottom of the long diagonal crack.

Getting to the ledge it was now my tern on the lead. The second pitch was great climbing to be had. Once at the pine to belay off. I brought James up, we beside to abb off as we did wan to get benighted up on the the last pitch. Will be back get it sent with the True Finish. Just hope the good weather comes back before the migges do.

Another blue sky day

What great weather we are having in Fort William at the minute. The third blue sky day in a row. Sadly again had uni on today. But still managed to have a busy day. First at the pool to try and get my roll sorted. Worked on my off side witch is coming along well able to roll well off it now. Thow trying my right hand side was not working well today. Still needing work even if I thought I had got it down (Its all about your head coming up last). After that James was keen to get back to Heather Hat. So headed up there with him and Rory as we where off still 1.30pm. 

A busy Heather Hat

A new problem to work 

Heading out

Getting there we had the boulder just to us but as the sun came down into the Glen. More climbers came along, Ewan and 2 Germans how he meet the day before. James was getting all the move on the problem that he was working. Just needing to get it all linked up now. Rory was getting there too. Tried Under the Hat again and it was not feeling to bad on the first moves as yesterday. And the big move to the jug feels like it will go after one of the Germans pointed out a higher foot hold to use. There was great banter with everyone. But still projects to work and get sent. As it was getting warm we had to head back to uni for are afternoon lecture. So missing out a bit of the nice weather. After a hour and half being in side time to head over to Outward Bound for a bit of canoeing with Stewart, Kieran and Rory.

Enjoying the afternoon sun

A great looking Ben Nevis

Stewart and Rory enjoy the great weather

Chilling out

Sunset

A great afternoon just being chilled out and enjoying the great weather. With an amazing sunset on Ben Nevis. There maybe some wild weather days in the Fort. Thow the day good when they come they are great days that make it all worth it in the end.

Sunny Afternoon

Sadly did not get out in the good weather all day today as had uhi in the morning. But made it out to Heather Hat with James and Rich in the afternoon. Had been beaten there by Dan. Who could not stay indoor either with the sun out. It was the first time that James and Rich had been to Heather Hat. Dan show them the problem on the right hand side of the roof to have a go on.

A sunny Glen

Working out the moves

Getting it now

Getting the mores now

Dan was working the Pagan Uilleann and managed to get vary close to getting it sent. Next visit it should go for his. Was working a link up from that start of Midnight in a Perfect World into the end of Under the Hat.

Getting the kneebar locked in

Into the pin scar

I did not get much do myself work a bit more of Pagan Uilleann. So the kneebar is sticking wall now just need to move off it and link it all up. Try a problem Dan show me sometime ago that comes up the left side of the roof to the jug. Them mores though the roof and out the front to top out. Not to sure on what the name is.

Moving off the jug

Pulling hard

Made the moves out but not much more then that. Need to work it a bit more. After that thought it would be a laugh to try Under the Hat. Worked out some bits and linked from the sit to the sloper rail. Thow the big move from there to the jug was just like going for the moon. Maybe one day but soon I feel.

Making it to the Sloper

Going for the jug

Just not getting it.

In the end Janes and Rich got all the moves worked out and looking like they where enjoying bouldering. Then Dan show how Midnight in a Perfect World is done to finish off him.

Chilling in the sun

Moving round the roof 

Family Weekend

Had My sister, brother in law, niece and brother up over the weekend. Just head up to Steel Fall for a easy walk in the nice weather.

New art 

Happy family

Starting the walk

Sun is out

Dave is away

Nice blue sky

Steel Falls

Ratho Climbing

Headed down to Ratho yesterday with a group of friends from Uni. There was great banter had on the bus on the way down and back up. Rich "The Driver" showed what he could do behind the wheel. It was good to get to another wall. To get on some longer routes. Had a bit of fun at the end of the day with all the guys trying to get as high on the overhang. Some great falls. Bring on the next climbing wall road trip. Thanx to James and Ronald for the photos.

The fun bus

Rich "The Driver"

Warming up

Heading up the big wall

Half way up

On the slab

Getting on the lead