Puffer Fun

Well last weekend was the 10th Strathpuffer and it was a great time!! Had been enter with my friend Andy who I did it with last year as a quad and we where going to do it as a pair but he broke his wrist the week before. So with some calling about got another friend Rich to join in for the 24 hours of madness. The route was not much different form last year they had add a muddy end to the lap witch was great fun to hit the puddles and there was a lot more ice about at the start off the race. So how did it good. We did pretty will for the still about 1 where we both die after getting 16 laps done and then got back on it at 7 to get 3 more done so 19 laps in all. We came 31st out of 58th mans pairs. I was well happy with 19 laps as I had broken my ankle back in Sept and Rich had week notice before the race. And some how had a smell on his face on the change over (think he enjoy the muddy a lot more then me). A big thanks to Fi and Davey for food and pitting for us!! We'll done to Fiona for coming third solo woman. And will I be back again for sure just need find a team.

Me enjoy the sunshine (Photo Archie Lang)

Fi with her prizes 

Two days over East

It's been a bit of a mad two days. Was meant to be heading over east with uni for 4 days of climbing, walking and maybe skilling. But with the bad weather forecast they besides to canals the trip. Witch was far to do.  I head over none the less to see if anything could be done. First day headed out with Ed to Coire an t'Sneachda, tho it did not start off well the snow gets where shut so meant a nice was up the road. Getting up to the car park we fond that some winter skill groups had made it up. Witch meant lots of people to brake trial. There where so big brief but easily avoid. We planed on doing Hidden Chimney but a team where heading up the direct. So as The Haston Line as it looking good. Climbing was great fun with tricky bits in places and needing small hips for bits too. On the walk off we meet the team that had been avalanche down the goat track so helped brake trial from them on way out. Bit of a lucky boy. Hope he gets better soon.

Along road ahead

Trail breakers

Ed on the first Pitch

The second head out with Lou and James. Lou has her MIC coming up in March and need to practice teaching skill to people and as they say you ever stop learning. We planed on heading to Creagan Coire Cha-no on the walk up the wind so a bit wild at time feeling like 40-50mph but we battled are way on. Getting to the top on the crag I found out the hard way use you need to check you have done things up tight. I had lost 2 bolts out on my axes.

Fighting the wind

Something missing here?!?!

So after some words to myself and say sorry (some many times). Change in place to head to try do snow anchors on the walk back to the mighty Ciste crag. This sadly did not work out as the snow where we planed to do it was winds slab. So moving on to Ciste crag where we go on and practice tying using fig 8s and placing pegs. There where lots on groups from Glenmore Lodge the Coire too. We pland to have a bit of food and find a place to do snow anchors after but the day got cut short so I could get a lift home.

James on the lead with Lou

Groups about

In all a great 2 days out climbing if a bit of a mess up on my part. Now time to find from the winter storms and get ready for the Strathpuffer this coming weekend it looking like it going to be a fun time.

More wild weather more kayaking

So it was still till wild on the hills on monday but it means plenty on water in the rivers. Head out on the Loy and Dabh Lighe with Dave. The Loy was fast run down with fun rapids. Dabh was cool just played on the drop for a bit.

Kayaking fun on the Roy Gorge and Upper Spean

Got to love living in the Fort. Winter climbing at the start of the week and white water kayaking at the end of week. Great run down the Roy at a medium level and Upper Spean. There is still a tree in gorge. Think its after headbanger and before the siphon. You can see it from the eddy above and there is another tree down before it on river right. Spean was on 4 pipes on the go for the first time down. Had my eyes on stalks on the way down the top part. Need to make the most of the warm wet weather and get more boating done.

A wee walk up the CIC track

So today meant the start of sorting out things for the start of uni in 2 weeks. This meant not having a full day to play but till wanted to have a bit of a outing for the lags. So went for a bike/walk you the CIC track to see how things where looking after the heavy rain form the other day. It was not looking as black as I thought it might have been. Meat a team how had done 1934 Route and they said it was snower then it looked on it. It looks like it going to be getting colder and wind over the week so see what next week will bring. Now just need to find time to get on it before uni goes mad again.

Looking at the Ben and CMD 

Sunny down there 

Avalanche in No 5 Gully 

Coire na Ciste

Point 5

Minus face

Winter skills group

Tower Scoop just in the clouds

First winter route of 2015

Head up the a busy Ben Nevis today. Lots of teams out on routes. The weather being better then what the weatherman had say it would be. Me and Brodie head up to Glover's Chimney with one there team joining us too. Witch last time I had climb it end with a bit of a epic but this time it did not. Head great fun climbing the route ice. Witch was great on the first pitch and the chimney was fun. head out Tower Ridge and down the red burn to a amazing sunset.

Where will we go?

Long way yet

Nice View

Teams on Tower Face of the Comb, Comb Gully, Comb Gully Buttress, Tower Ridge

Longs of teams heading up Ledge Route.

Getting to the first belay 

Heading up the snow slop

Meant to be something called a belay?!?!

One more picth

Nice rest

Up the Tower

Great sunset

Great end to the day