16.5.14 - Moy rock

With a day of good weather forecast for the Inverness/Dingwall area, Dan and I decided to head north to Moy Crag.  I had never been to Moy previously and was quite impressed with the unique climbing experience that conglomerate rock gives, if I had to describe it, I'd say it feels a bit like being a spider climbing up a rough cast wall!  Pebbles and blocks of all shapes and sizes protruding from the surface offer a whole range of holds, some of which feel too good at times, leading to mistrust of their security on sighting cracks around them!  We warmed up on Corvus 5+** before getting super pumped on Fighting off the vultures 6a+ ** which I totally dog fucked on lead due to epic pumpage (more training required!).  After this and some lunch Dan lead up The Old Man of Moy 6a+* and I lead up Moy Racer 6a*.  We ended the day on Pebble Party 6a* (which I really enjoyed leading! superb route!) and Moy Soldiers 5+*.  We had no sooner got back to the car, before the Lochaber weather had found us and began to piss down.  A fantastic venue, and one which I will be sure to visit again!  Cheers to Dan for a good day out and some great photos!

Moy crag as seen from the A835 road

Sunshine and dry rock!

me cruising up Corvus 5+** Photo:Dan Timmis

Dan starts off up Fighting off the Vultures 6a+**

Great photo of me lowering off after Corvus. Photo:Dan Timmis

Crag Comfort Carpet! its a beautiful thing!

Lunch time! Photo:Dan Timmis

13.5.14 - more good weather on the Ben

Today I was working for Mountain and Glen, guiding Team Elliott on a three peaks challenge.  The weather today was much better than forecast and blessed us with some stunning scenery.  By halfway our team of 7 was whittled down to four and made good time to a clear Ben Nevis summit.  The long descent back to Glen Nevis, made a little easier by enjoying some great views!  Well done to Frances, Emma, John and Keith on a successful summit and a great start to their 3 peaks challenge and all the best on the mountains yet to come!

top of the zig zags and going strong!

beautiful conditions today!

the guys on the summit

04.05.2014 - Ben Nevis by the mountain path

Today I was back out for Adventure Nevis, guiding a group of eight on the mountain foot path.  In a stark contrast to yesterdays beautiful weather, today was absolutely minging with sustained rain and non existent views.  For the most part we were wrapped in a blanket of claggy misery which managed to dampen all but our spirits!  A very big well done to all group members today, especially Izzak who despite being only 8 managed to make it to the summit today and single handedly raised over £500 for charity in doing so, well done that man!

my group enjoying some food at the half way point

a few of my guys on the summit while another group takes shelter!

03.05.2014 - Carn Mor Dearg Arete

Today I was out working for Adventure Nevis guiding Vicky on the Carn Mor Dearg Arete on to Ben Nevis.  The weather today was absolutely brilliant which made for some stunning views over the Mamores and of the North face of Ben Nevis.  We started from the North Face Car Park near Torlundy and made our way up the forestry path before veering off the Alt 'a Mhuilinn path towards Carn Dearg Meadhonach and then on to Carn Mor Dearg its self.  From there we tackled the Carn Mor Dearg Arete, an excellent grade 1 scramble which leads to the eastern side of Ben Nevis and ultimately on to the summit, which today was very busy!  well done to Vicky and thanks for a great day!

Vicky enjoying the fine scrambling on the Arete

Ben Nevis North Face

Taking in the amazing views!

The Carn Mor Dearg Arete and Ben Nevis

Vicky happy on the summit!

02.05.14 - Ardverikie Wall

Today Dan and I went for the super classic Adverikie Wall HS 4b at Binnein Shuas near Creag Meagaidh.  With a four star rating, this route had a lot to live up to and did not disappoint!  very positive holds (of every variety!) if, at some points a little run out, but what it lacked in gear potential it more than over compensated in engaging and enjoyable climbing.  A friend once described that the route 'smiled at you', which it certainly does and you cant help but smile back!.  6 pitches of fine climbing were thoroughly enjoyed.  This was my first time climbing on Binnein Shuas, it will most certainly not be the last!

Ardevrikie Wall, directly above Dan

Dan at the 2nd Belay

The classic 3rd pitch up the crack/flake

P3

Dan Heads up P4

scenic enjoyable climbing!

26.4.14 - First 3 peaks of the year!

Today I was out for Mountain and Glen on their first 3 Peaks Challenge of the year.  Initially I was quite pessimistic of our chances of summiting, given the weather forecast and conditions, however the forecast was inaccurate and a beautiful day, with pleasant conditions followed, allowing us to summit at around 1330hrs.  The mountain was very busy today with what can only be described as chancers, everywhere.  We descended close to the Red Burn area and watched in horror as multiple people bum slid out of control down the gully.  I later found out that LMRT with the help of RN Rescue flight 177 picked a few of these people off the mountain after having sustained serious injuries from losing control bum sliding down the mountain.  A big well done to Dan, Mark, Tony, Kevin, Anthony, Sean and Helen on their successful ascent, well done!

The guys and me in the Visitor Centre Car Park

Jubilations at the Redburn

Enduring the Zig Zags

Looking towards the Summit Plateau from the top of the Zig Zags today

My guys on the summit, trig point and platform emerging more every day!

22.4.14 - Another blowy day on the Ben

Today I was back on Ben Nevis for Atlas Mountaineering, guiding Kate on the mountain path. Getting to the summit today was very much a game of 2 halves, the first half was very pleasant and blessed us with nice views over the Mammores and surrounding area.  The Second half was very windy with us having to adopt brace positions a few times as strong gust scoured us with hail and snow.  We got to the summit and enjoyed our lunch before meeting an Aussie gentleman named Justin who was soaked from head to toe and asked if he could please follow us down, to which I had no objections.  We descended in the direction of the Redburn and cut back on the path at corner 2.  Another challenging but rewarding day on Scotland's highest mountain.

Kate and the Mammores

The half way point

tough going on the zig zags

getting higher!

Kate on the summit

Descending the Redburn

Massive crevasses in the Redburn slightly lower than corner 2