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.

After work play on the Etive

I headed out on Wednesday with Dave from work for a play on the Etive. I was not too sure what the water level was going to be. I thought we could have ended up walking quite a bit between the drops but after getting there we found the water to be at a good level to paddle down without having to walk. This was the first paddle experience since completing my level 1 BCU coach in June so I was rusty to begin with however I was successful in doing a full run without swimming. I even managed to roll back up when upside down in the letter box. It was great to be back in a boat, I need to make most of the wet weather and get out a bit more.

Dave showing how's it done.

Making it look easy as all ways

Going in to Right Angle 

Going over Right Angle