Friday, May 30, 2014

Clach Glas, Blaven Traverse

I teamed up with Julia today and we enjoyed a traverse of Clach Glas and Blaven to end a stunning week on Skye. Once again it was warm and dry and today we enjoyed some great views back across the weeks adventures on the main ridge through some swirling atmospheric cloud. Skye never disappoints and this week has been better than ever - superb!











Thursday, May 29, 2014

Dubhs Ridge, Skye

We enjoyed a boat ride on the Bella Jane into Loch Scavaig this morning, a short walk into Loch Coruisk and then a magnificent scramble up the Dubhs Ridge, over Sgurr Dubh Beag, Sgur Dubh Mor, down into Coire Ghrunnda and then down to Glenbrittle for ice cream on the beach to finish another superb Skye day out. (Another day without rain too!)








Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Inaccessible Pinnacle

It has been another stunning day on Skye with blue skies, sunshine and just enough breeze to keep the midges at bay. We enjoyed the Inaccessible Pinnacle today, for many people the focus of a trip to Skye and the only Munro to require rock climbing skills to reach its summit. We were lucky not to get stuck in a queue as its uniqueness makes it popular, especially in May! We enjoyed warm hold, fine views and some more great ridge scrambling into the bargain too. Another great day out.







Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Pinnacle Ridge

I took Richard & Tracy up Pinnacle Ridge on Sgurr nan Gillean today, teaming up with Sandy, Steve and Shae who had the same idea. It has been a stunning day of blue skies and sunshine and this classic route kept on giving smiles all the way to the top. We enjoyed the West Ridge in descent and a dip in the stream to finish the day in true summer style.


















Monday, May 26, 2014

Isle of Skye - Cuillin Ridge

I am on the Isle of Skye all week this week for my annual pilgrimage to the best scrambling in the UK. I have been joined by repeat clients Richard, Tracy, Julia, Tina, Steve, Shae, Andy and Gez and by instructors Huw, Dave and Sandy for a week of the best scrambling on Skye. We kicked the week off under blue skies and sunshine by linking the three Munros of Mheadaidh, Ghreadaidh and Banachdaich which gives some superb grade 2 and 3 scrambling and a great start to the week.









Saturday, May 24, 2014

Advanced Navigation

I have been out on our advanced navigation course today using contour only mapping with Mark, Helen, Mark, Richard, Gerrie, Shaun and Al. It stayed dry for most of the day with just the last half an hour being moist! We spent the day around Cwmfynnon and the Horns using maps that only show contours and water features to improve peoples ability to read and understand contours. It is always a really useful day and lots of fun. I have an evening of packing now and then my annual pilgrimage to the Isle of Skye starts tomorrow, whoop whoop!







Friday, May 23, 2014

Mountaincraft Expedition

The last two days have been spent on the Carneddau for the wild camping element of our mountain craft course. Yesterday we walked into Cwm Eigiau and then up onto Carnedd Llewellyn (Snowdonia's second highest peak) before navving in thick cloud across the summit ridge and down towards Dylan Bothy. We used the bothy for shelter whilst we enjoyed a sociable evening meal and then moved away to camp wild in the mountains. Our night navigation exercise was a true test of skills since the cloud was really dense and visibility was limited to only a couple of metres but the boys and girls did a great job of circumnavigating us back to our tents. Its been a great week in lovely company, thanks to all!