Two days in the Clouds

Have day 2 good days out with on being on last friday with Nathan out on the Ben Climbing Thompsons Route witch like most routes of the Ben in great contoin. Tho getting to the climb was a bit trike with the low cloud but we found it will a bit of help for a team looking to get on Sioux Wall. Coming off the Ben was a bit of a mess as I dofo need to sort out my winter Nev!!! Some how managered to end up at the top of the Red Burn very lucky for sure. Other then this was lucky with a lifts up the Ben Track with Kev and Joe how where looking to get on Mega Routes X and then a lift back form the North Face car park with Will of was out with to poeple for Atlas Mountaineering.

Routes in there some where

Nathan coming up the first pitch

Nathan leading the last pitch 

Half way lochen looking nice int he even light

Yesterday head out to the West Face of Aonach Mor. Am not having much luck on the west face. Third time on the worry route. Was meant to be on Western Rib but end up on Daim Buttress with more IV then the III thats its mean to be. Still a great day out with a great ice pitch at the bottom with 2 mixed pitch to gain easier ground to the top.

Ewan on the Pitch

The evening looking like it could be a nice day

A wee birthday walk from Corrour to Kinlochleven

So today was Erika's Birthday and for a random outing. The plan was simple of first train out to Corrour and then walk back to Kinlochleven. Easy as that... Ooo and we had to be back for 7.30 for drinks and food. Leaving Carrour Station we headed to Carin Leum Uilleim which was a mix of soft snow and heathery patches. Quick progress brought us to the start of the ridge where we put crampons on. Shortly after entering the cloud, creating moments of whiteout conditions. Managed well with navigating using timings and bearings, but dropped the ball walking off Beinn a Bhirc where we ended up heading to Blackwater. Once out of the cloud managed to work out where we were and relocate. Below the cloud level we made good time round to Kinlochleven and even managed to get back to Fort William for half four.

Horse on the train

No to the cloud we go

Following the deer

Even a wee bit of blue sky came out

Eating on the good

Finding are way again

Zig Zags in winter

What a mega day out yesterday was. One of then days that make you think you should do more walking and not to be look to climb all the time. We head down to Glencoe for the day to go up the Zig Zags on Gearr Aonach. The walk in was worryingly warm as it could have been done in a t-shirt. The snow was soft under foot all the way up with water running under the snow too. Once on the ridge was in the cloud so not much to look for the day. At the top on Bian got a bit moist and bumped into Neil how had solo Dorsal Arete and heading back down. Dropping off Bian to Sgreamhach we came out of the clouds to Blue sky and amazing views!! We had back down down into the lost valley with a shot down climb with the longest bum slide I have ever done (500M at High speed). This mean the first past of the walk of fun but some it was onto poor snow with hidden holes under it. But still a great day. Will have to head back into to do Beinn Fhada as the ridge looks great! Winter just keens giving. Tho today is sadly a uni day.

Looking over to Rannoch Moor

Beinn Fhada

Last bit

Sunshine

Great views at last

Maga bum slide

My rainbow

2 in 1 with a wee bit more

Head out with Ewan today. We had nothing really planned to do just opened mind on what was in. We stared off with the first pitch of Waterfall Gully as there was a team heading up to The Curtain. Witch was great but a bit sort lived.

Start of Waterfall Gully

Next headed back to The Curtain get on it and for Ewan to do a wee bit of leading (doing a very good Elvis). There was a other team on it so a chilled out bit of lunch be for getting on. The ice was all good but for some bad bits at the top. By now a another team had gone up Waterfall Gully and broke trail thought the snow on the upper pitchs. So back we when for the hole thing. Very snowy upper part but great feeling in the Gully.

Two Teams on The Curtain

Ewan on the lead

Looking about

There was a far number of people out for Monday. Teams on Shield Direct, Gemini, Tower Ridge and Vanishing Gully too name some. If things hold out like this then a lot to get out.

Last bit

Great end the day

CMD looking good in sunset

Skier enjoying the snow

Happy Ewan

Two Great Days

So have day to great days playing about. First day was out with my brother (John) for his first test of winter walking/climbing and Andy. We head to the West Face Aonach Mor to do Gendarme. But as I have fond before on the west face not on the right route. We where on a rib to the left witch still give great climbing of I/II. And the prefect thing for John's first day. There was a far bit of power about and made for a bit of a swim at times. Looked great for all the skier and borders out.

Looking like a bit of a swim

We are men with axes!!

Starting up the rib

John Loving the swinging his axe

The second day was out with a big crew of people from UHI Paddle Sports Club to head down the Arkaig. It was great to head so many people out good banter, swims, getting wet and a wee bit cold. This is a start of a week/2 week trip the club is looking to start running.

Kayak surfing

Classy Girls

Big crew

Playing on the wave!!!