Stormy Weather

Again on the Wast Coast is stormy weather about. So getting out on the hill was not looking good. What else to do then get out on the bike. Head up Cow Hill for the fast track down. Then over to Glen Nevis to head down the tourist track to the Achintee. A great day with a mix of everything rain, snow, hail and a very small bit of sun. Just need the weather to calm down.

Top of Youth Hostel track

Down time

Enjoying the Rain

Strapuffer 24

After 4 day of climbing and walking what better way to finish off the week than with a 24 hour race in the north of Scotland- The Strathpuffer. With a 6am start from Fort William to get to the race start on Saturday morning it was going to be a very long day. We were racing in the quads and the team was made up of Mark, Andy, Steve and myself, being the one that had suggested the idea to them all and talked/dragged them into it.

The team (Andy, Mark, Mark and Steve) © Steve Bowens 

After getting there we had a fast set up of the pits and getting registered, then it was time for me to get ready for the first 2 lap. Had the joy of doing the Le Mans style start. It was a bit mad trying to find Andy with my bike then fight my way up the first hill. It was then just getting a nice speed and keeping it up for the 2 laps I had to do. Getting back into the pits it was then Mark up. It was a bit mad thinking that I still had more laps to get done and would need to try and keep the pace up. You could say I was wishing that I had got in a bit more training before the race. Mark and Andy got their laps done ok and we seemed to be off to a good start. Then Steve come running in missing a pedal off his bike. This meant that he ran the second half of the course on foot- and astonishingly still got a good time in! One fast pit change of putting flats onto my bike for him and he was back out. This now meant that we had 3 bikes for the 4 of us to use. One of them being Mark's full suspension Pitch which was like riding a pogo stick.

Mark after his Laps

We soon worked out a new running order. It meant that Andy and Steve were riding the same bike but it would be ok. Two more laps each and that was us onto night riding. I had the first night ride and it was ok. Odd that the only thing that I was interested in was a 6 foot light bubble. After the laps it was time to try and get a bit of sleep before getting back on it. Waking back up thinking that you have to ride more was not the happiest thing to have to think about.

Steve warming up for his first night ride

Once over that though it was getting back onto it and riding the 2nd lap. This went slower than the other one, I dont think I eat enough food. So not full of energy for the full 2 laps. They got done though and so it was time to rest again, eat, sort the bike out. I think that for a race there's a lot of sitting about and chilling just waiting for your turn to come up. On came 4.30 and things were still going well. The thought of sleep had gone now for me and it was just a case of staying up till the end.

Keeping warm in the pits

Steve heading out again 

Happy face at 4.30 

Mark enjoying it

By this point we had broken Mark and he definitely showed his downhill colours, not enjoying the ups. We had one more round of turns to go before the end and if we did that fast then there would be time for one more lap to fit in before the end. By the end we had done 31 laps and we finished 23rd out of 85. Gone through 1 set of cranks and one set of brake pads. So in all not that much. Left with sore legs for the last 2 days and feeling tired as hell for the day after. Now looking back on it was a great time and enjoyed every lap and the atmosphere all round.

The big question is would I do it again?

Yes I would for sure.

Climbing over in Cairngorms

Was over in Cairngorms last week for 4 days as part of the UHI Cairngorms Residential 2014. Got out climbing for 3 days with Ewan for great climbing in Coire an t'Sneachda. There was still lots of snow about so that meant most of the first pitches were easy and the gear needed a bit of digging to find. Though we got great beater from Alan, Scott and Andy on what routes would be in good condition to get done. On the first day we headed out to to Mess of Pottage. There we got on Hidden Chimney Direct, the first pitch not being the IV more of a III. Ewan led the first pitch and I got the chimney at the end and nice snow run out to the top.

Well banked out first pitch

© Ewan McKay

Scott heading up to Hidden Chimney with Kate and Simon

Next up was Opening Break again banked out so more of a I/II, then the IV 5

Opening Break

Snowy top out

The next day we headed back, looking to do something a bit harder. First up was Yukon Jack. This time I won the Paper, Rock Scissors and had the first lead. More snow run outs and digging for gear. Was happy to have a 60m ropes to make the most to find belay. Ewan then had to swim up some not nice snow and get us to the top.

Yukon Jack

After this it we headed back down to where we were looking to do The Message but there were teams still on it. So we went for Honeypot instead. Had a great first pitch with great moves up and still lots of snow.

First Pitch Honeypot © Ewan McKay

Ewan then had a crux pitch. Which he saw off with some happy shouting as he made the moves. Then it was soon my turn to head up. The move round the roof was great. A bit jealous that Ewan got the pitch but till great to climb.

Head out on honeypot second pitch

On the 3rd day the weather crapped out and we planned to go for a walk over to  Hell's Lum. On the walk into Coire an t'Sneachda we had a change in plan and decided to make a snowman. So took the best part of 2 hours to make the biggest snowman. Alan and his team show up to do a bit of snow holes.

Hiding from the rain

Look what we made!!

Snowman

On the last day we head in with lots of plans. Thinking of climbing Original Summer Route, Doctor's Choice and Patey's Route. Getting into the Coire we found teams on or gearing up. So change in plan and headed up Fingers Ridge. As the theme of the week has been snowy first pitches! Ewan had a long snowy run out to the belay.

Ewan running it out to the belay

Then I had the shorter but would say more fun top pitch. There was some nice mixed bits and it was cool going though the fingers. Then the was a short slab at the top, then the easy ground to finish.

Going thought the Fingers © Ewan McKay

Happy faces at the top

A great trip and a lot learnt from it. Great to have so much input form the instructors of what would be good to get done. A days rest then onto the Strathpuffer.

Blog up date

So been a bit lax with blogging for a fair bit of time now, going to try get back into it again. As a short summary of what has been going. Summer was mad working lots and trying to fit a bit of play time in between before heading back to University. Made it out to Etive Slabs with Dave and Fiona. Great day climbing the Hammer. Had a bit of a long walk off in the dark but still a great time for sure.

Crux Move on the Hammer

Then had my friend Andy up for a week of biking. Head out to Laggan, Glen Nevis, The Devil Staircase and enter Tour De Ben Nevis. It was a great week with some wild weather and amazing trails. 

Devil's Staircase 

Heading up towards the Buchaille

Then it was time to start getting on with Uni again. This year has been a bit mad with assignments as it is the second year. Though still getting out paddling. We have been working toward our 3* canoe and all of the group passed the assessment.

Rich practising his poling

Andy surfing a wave

Got out on the hill to getting some more ML days logged and need to get on and book a training course come the summer. Had one great day out on Ben Starav. A nice blue bird day.

Looking down Ben Starav

Looking up the main ridge on Starav

And now that winter has come after a the long storms that we have had up in the north it is time to head out and play in the snow and ice. Had two great days so far, the first going up Stob Ban with folk from Limerick and the second heading over east to climb The Grooved Rib with Ewan. Two great days with lots of banter and good fun.

Heading up Stob Ban

Pitch 1 of the Grooved Rib 

1st Chimney of the Grooved Rib 

Now just need to keep on top of blogging and uni work. Then get out as much as I can and it will be a great 2014.