Busy times

So have been up to a lot seen the last post March. What has been going on?

Well had one more day out winter climbing with Ali where we did The Gutter, The Cascade and Expert's Choice. It was a great day to have as the last one of the session.

After this was a bit of uni to get back into. Then a exped in the River Spey for uni like. Had a mix of weather of sunshine to hail in the face. We even mannered to cut a day off as we where move fast on the water. Had the some solo time in the canoe.

Up next was a day down climbing in Glen Nevis. This was to get a climbing put to bed I had feline off back in September. This was the first time back up the climb. Warmed up on some other climbs first  then head to Hodad to get it sent. Its the first time that had to get my my head in the right place in a long time. Think I am going to have to put sometime into getting my trab head back. I did not think climbing would as hard to get back in but hay the mind is a odd thing.

On to the next advent of walking North end of Pennine Way with my brother. This was one of the best time I have day with my brother. Just me and him for 7 day. Well that was the plan ended up being 5 as him knees and shoes gave up before we wanted it to. Well have to do the hold Way at some point and think long walking could be cool thing to get into.

Then one more bit of madness as the Lass day on the UHI pabbe club meet on the Garry. This was the first time I had been out in my play boat. It was great fun and need make more use of it.

Now its time to get uni work finished and a lot of ML day to get ingot he bag too!! Then it will be freedom for the summer. Well time to start working for the summer. 

Rivers, Holes and Climbing

Have had a bit of a busy week. Been getting out a far bit had a day on the Etive with Dave, Andy and Rory. It was the first time that Andy and Rory had been on the river and they had a great level for it of mid/high. It was a fun time with lots of laughs with one or two swims.

Upside down Monday on the Etive from Mark Chambers on Vimeo.

Then was meant to be Snow holing and the weather was not playing ball and ended up having a mix on indoor talks with a day digging the snow in amazing sunshine. Good to learn new skill for the hills in winter.

Sunnys for the walk in!!

The Croy one man digger

Mmm should be climbing!!

And this week have had two great days out climbing on the Ben. First on Observatory Ridge with Nathan and Brodie in the clouds but a fun route. Will be back to try it in the summer. 

Views from the day

Brodie seconded

Then yesterday on Italian Right-Hand and Central Gully Right-Hand with just Brodie. Bit of a change from the start of the year where I did all the leading and now Brodie bid all the leading of the ice. His come along way in the season!! As all his wanted to do at the start was climbing III but now sails up IV/V. Both the routes where great with worth the 3 stars that they get.

Italian Right-Hand

Better views today

Central Gully Right-Hand

Making it look easy 

Happy face!! 

The Ben Looking great!!

 Things look like there not going anywhere for sometime. Now just need to work out this ice climbing game…..

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

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