14.6.14 - Early shift on the Ben

This morning I was working for Adventure Nevis.   I drove to Fort William after nearly running over 3 foxes on the high road out side of Kinlochleven, and waited for Mira and Paulyne for our 0400hrs start.  I do not love getting out of bed at 0250hrs, but I do love this time of day in the mountains.  It has a real magic to it and unless you've been in the mountains so early no words I can type will be able to convey exactly what I mean (so get out there). We headed up the mountain footpath along a very sleepy and misty (not to mention hot and humid!) Glen Nevis and before long were engulfed in clouds. We reached the summit around 0730 after a detour to the top of No4 Gully area for some great views of the North face.  A fantastic morning was had by all, well done to Mira and Paulyne!

Busy few days!

The past few days I have been on a BASP Outdoor First Aid Course held at the Glencoe NTS Centre.  The course itself was very good indeed and provided a good opportunity to brush up on some first aid skills whilst revalidating my mandatory qualification.  The course was run over 2 days which finished at 1700hrs yesterday, so Sandy and I decided to go climbing given that the weather had been so unreasonably nice!  We headed for the Buachaille and made a quick approach up to the base of Agags Groove (V.Diff) on Rannoch Wall.  The route never fails to please, providing great exposure and some fun climbing.  After having made swift progress up the route we headed up to the base of Crowberry Tower and on to the summit of Stob Dearg.  Shortly after which we me Leigh on our descent and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise before descending Coire na Tulaich.  Today I was out working for Up and Doon guiding on Ben Nevis mountain footpath.  Today was a scorcher, a lot of sunshine and a lot of people on the mountain footpath.  We passed the on going path/bridge repairs and made good time to the Redburn and then on to the summit of Ben Nevis before taking our time on descent, placing an emphasis on regular water stops to combat dehydration.  Cracker of a day!

is there a better place for an after work hit?

Sandy scrambles up the initial section of Curved Ridge

Sandy on the 3rd belay on Agags Groove

Moody Mammores

Sunset on Stob Dearg

on going bridge/path repairs on Ben Nevis

on going bridge/path repairs on Ben Nevis

Paul and Sean enjoying the weather

The summit and Indicator Wall, Ben Nevis

The guys on the top

28.5.14 - Curved Ridge with Andy and Pae

Today I was out on Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe with Andy and Pae.  When I met the guys off the bus in Glencoe it was raining and had been for a wee while and I was not looking forward to a soaking, but thankfully the rain stopped and the sun came out to play.  The route itself was bone dry, although the same could not be said for the approach!  Curved Ridge is one of my favourite days out, summer or winter.  We made good progress up to the base of Crowberry Tower before scaling the South Ridge and having lunch on the top enjoying views of the Ben.  After a bite to eat we made our way down into Crowberry Gap and onwards to the summit of Stob Dearg, where a cheeky raven expectantly hung around unaware we had already eaten!  A careful descent down Coire na Tulaich (loose and still partially snow covered path which we chose to avoid!) seen us back at the car with all having had a great day!

Pae and Andy in the Great gully

Andy enjoying the approach to Curved Ridge

Pae gains the ridge proper after the first steep section

Moving up Curved Ridge

Pae on the last few moves up Crowberry Towers South Ridge

Lunch on the top of Crowberry Tower

Pae happy on the summit of Stob Dearg

Cheeky Bastard

25.5.14 - Not Quite!

Today I was out working for Adventure Nevis guiding a group on the mountain footpath.  The weather today was very dull and conducive for all out midgie attacks.  Frequent showers and lack of wind ensured a rather unpleasant sweaty humidity remained with us all day.  The group took their time getting to the redburn path junction and we decided a high point of corner 4, being 1000m above sea level, was an appropriate goal.  Once we reached corner 4. we sat for a few minutes, taking on some food and water before a slow and steady descent back to Glen Nevis.  Not quite the high point some of the guys were aiming for, but they assure me they'll be back soon to finish the job!

Midgie Costa Del Sol

The guys at our high point today

24.5.14 - 3 peaks challenge

Today I was out working for Mountain and Glen, guiding a group of eight on the Ben Nevis stage of a Three Peaks Challenge.  We started at 0700 from the Visitor Centre car park and were motivated to leave quickly by the midgies.  Progress was a bit slower than average but morale remained high as we enjoyed some beautiful views before summiting in the clag at around 1100hrs.  A steady descent to the car park with smiles all round!  another great day on the Ben, well done to Debbie, Sarah, Anne, Zoe, Howard, Dave, Rachel and Kerstin on a successful ascent!

23.6.14 - Freitag on Ben Nevis!

Today I was out with Andy Davidson working for Up and Doon guiding on Ben Nevis mountain path.  We had a group of 5 Germans out today, all very eager to reach the top!  We took our time enjoying the beautiful views of Glen Nevis before leaving the footpath at the corner of ZZ6/7 and headed through the snow flurries over to the top of No4 Gully where the group feasted their eyes upon some awesome views of the North Face, we followed the coire rim and rejoined the path just beyond No3 gully. Once back on the path it wasnt long before we were all stood on the summit.Well done to Anja, John Paul, Gito, Monika and Andreas on their successful ascent!

20.5.14 - Ben Nevis in the sun

Today I was working for Adventure Nevis guiding a group of six  on Ben Nevis.  The weather today was all out t-shirt weather, with strong sunshine and a gentle breeze to help prevent an all out sweat-fest!  After enjoying the refreshment of ice cold water from the Red Burn,  Jadene and Sharon decided to descend leaving Tim, Kate, Julie and Jess to ascend further.  We reached the summit around 1345hrs and were treated to some great views of the surrounding areas while enjoying our well deserved lunch.  The group were impressed with the views but were restricted from seeing the full extent of this amazing place by the threat of cornices, so a short detour on descent to the rocky safe haven of the top of the Tower Ridge area gave us great views of the North Face and Coire na Ciste. Well done, not only to the guys who summited, but to the group as a whole for keeping morale high and trying their best!

"Do the zig zags ever end!?"

Relieved to have finished the Zig Zags with the end Almost in sight

Jess, Julie, Kate and Tim happy on the summit!

Big smiles from Jess!

The summit as seen from the top of Tower Ridge area

Enjoying some great views of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil

Heli dropped bags carrying equipment and materials for upcoming foot path repais