31.07.2012 Castle Ridge

Today, armed with the knowledge of perfect weather I took a stroll up from the North Face car park and had a very enjoyable solo of Castle Ridge.  The scrambling and short steps of climbing were only surpassed by the amazing views I enjoyed! Another great day on Ben Nevis.  After Castle Ridge I headed to Polldubh Crags with a good friend of mines Nik. We climbed Damnation VS4c, Maintenance HVS 5a and Storm HVS 5a. A very productive and enjoyable day!  

Castle Ridge, Ben Nevis

Some Cool Guy on Castle Ridge!

Panoramic Phot Showing Ben Nevis, Carn Mor Dearg, Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag 

29.07.2012 Ben Nevis mountain path

Today I guided Shirley and Linda on their first ascent of Ben Nevis via the mountain path. Although the day started off quite patchy with a fair amount of rain, we descended to magnificent views of Glen Nevis and the Lochan.  Thanks for a great day guys! 

Smiles as the clouds begin to lift a little

Taking a rest to take in the view!

Shirley and Linda proud on the summit

27.07.2012 Carn Mor Dearg Arete

Today was a very blustery and wet day on the Carn Mor Dearg arete. Wind speeds hitting gale force and relentless rain for extended periods making conditions very tough indeed.  Stephen, in spite of these conditions, still managed to have a very productive day, the climax of which was his first ascent of Ben Nevis made a little bit better by some of Karen Marwick's home made traditional Scottish Tablet at the summit!  All in all another good day out.  Well done Stephen! 

Enjoying some Tablet on the summit 

23.07.2012 Stob Coire Nan Lochan

Today saw me teaching advanced navigation skills to Stephen Hunt, a very keen and capable young man from South Hampton.  On a very wet and windy day out on the lochan he picked up all the essentials pretty quickly and managed to complete the navigational problem solving scenarios I set out for him, although the weather may have been wet and miserable it could not dampen his enthusiasm, well done Stephen and I look forward to guiding you on the Carn Mor Dearg arete for an ascent of Ben Nevis on Friday! 

Stephen heading up Stob Coire Nan Lochan

Soaked to the bone and Smiling! 

Stephen on his highest peak at present, Stob Coire Nan Lochan summit 1,115m (3,658ft)

13.07.2012 Aonach Eagach

Today I took Ethan out on the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe. The weather was perfect scrambling weather, being dry but not too sunny! A very enjoyable and interesting scramble which is always high on my favourites list, the Aonach Eagach again today cemented its place among the best scrambles in the country. 

12.07.2012 Liskeard Community College

Today, Peter and I had the pleasure of guiding a large group from Liskeard Community College on Ben Nevis. Starting at 9am, we made text book time, reaching the summit in exactly 4 hours and descending in three.  I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say that we were very impressed with this young group, by their fitness levels, attitude and the courtesy they paid to fellow mountain goers. Well done guys, today was an absolute pleasure! 

A well earned rest on the zig zags!

Group photo on the snow

Students from Liskeard Community College on Ben Nevis Summit

10.07.2012 Ben Nevis - Three Peaks Challenge

Last night saw a team of thirteen keen, ambitious individuals from Birkenhead College kick start their Three Peaks Challenge by ascending Ben Nevis. Conditions on the Ben were very wet,with the weather taking its toll on a few of the group members, both Jim and I thought  it was very good to see that good team cohesion and positive outlook enabled everyone to summit.
Well Done guys and I hope the rest of the challenge goes well for you all!

07.07.2012 - Ben Nevis Night Hike

Another successful night Hike on Ben Nevis last night with Hameed, Markus,Florian and Luisa reaching the summit at around 0140hrs in dry but windy conditions, Well Done Guys!