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.

Uni Nav Day

Today was the first practical day for the year and it was looking like it was going to be a wet one. Heading out with Rich, Rory, Alan and Scott. Getting to collage we fond out that we where going to be head a way for the normal Fort William and Glencoe areas. Instead head to Fersit for a bit of a change of place. The day was to be a refresh of skill. It was great to be out putting skills learnt least year in to use. With Scott giving more tips and advise on the way. We managed to get a lag in a pass and got done Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg. With all that it bit not even get a good shower in just a bit of sunshine for the walk out. Now thinking that I need to get on and do my ML training before the start off winter.

Great view looking over Loch Treig from the top of Stob Coire Sgriodain.

Even the sunshine came out for the walk off Chno Dearg.

Climbing at Moy Rock

Head up to Moy Rock last friday with Dan, Sally and Connor. As it was looking like driest place to be. On the drive up it was looking like it could go ether way but it managed to hold off all day. Getting on with the climbing was a bit odd as it was conglomerate rock so lots of possibilities. Got a far bit done thow end up not feeling like climbing hard and  just had a bit of a chilled time. Even go a bit of sun to the point that Dan had to climb with a top off to do The Dark Side. The 2 bast routs of the day for myself was Fighting off the Vultures F6a+** and Corvus F5+**.

Dan climbing Little Teaser

Connor have a bit of moment whilst climbing Corvus F5+** 

Dan finishing the day off with Pyramid F6a+*

UHICC Enduro Dual Slalom Universe Championship Brodie

Last Thursday was the UHI Cycling Club Enduro Dual Slalom Universe Championship. It was a great laugh to meet and race against people. I fond it was not the eases thing to ride but still get to give a go. Managed to make it thought one round. To then be knock and then become the cameraman. Still a great time with beers and BBQ had at the end.

Fiona going for it

Pete getting a bit lose

Mark in the zone

People enjoying the push back up

Alastair getting close to eating dirt 

The Croy getting a bit wild

UHI Cycling Club jersey

Chef Mark working hard on the BBQ

Brodie of the winning run

Run about Ring of Steel

Last Thursday head out with Connor for a RUN. Something that I do not do much of or in fact at all. The plan way bike you to Steel Fall car pick and head out form there.

Ride into Steel Falls car park

Nice warm up run to Steel Falls

First off nice warm up ride on the bikes then a run up to Steel Falls. Connor setting the pace for the day. Getting over the river at the Fall saw some funny foot work form him. This lead to the first big climb up and into the cloud. 

Connor trying to keep his feet dry 

Connor failing to keep his feet dry

Steel Falls looking nice

The start of the up hill

Happy to be on the first top

Being in the cloud would be us for the rest of the day. Thow we were pretty warm form run so was not to bad to be cold off by it. It was non stop day other then a bit off food and water here and there we where pretty much on the go all the time. Head a bit of fun working out where about we where going in the cloud.

Onward into the cloud

More up hill

Made it to another top

And even more up hill 

Heading off into the cloud