Hoorah for sunshine

After a couple of wet days it was nice to see the sun again today. Tuesday was spent at the seacliffs at Flodigarry whilst yesterday we did Pinnacle Ridge on Sgurr nan Gillean in constant rain.

This morning the clouds were low as we left Glen Brittle but they lifted and the sun came out as the day progressed. We went into Coirie Ghrunda and went up Sgurr nan Eag, Sgurr Dubh Mor and then traversed below Sgurr Alasdairs screes to the top of the Sgumain stone shute. On the way down we took Collies route to the Cioch.

A good day!

Back on SKye

I am back on the Isle of Skye again. I have been every year since I was 17 and try and spend at least 2 weeks here every May. This year work and family committments have meant that the 2 weeks have been split - which means lots of driving!

Today we have been lucky with good weather in spite of a poorish forecast. The rain held off all day and it has not been too blustery.

We did the Clach Glas traverse onto Blaven, enjoying fine views across Skye, Torridon, the Outer Hebrides and even across to Ben Nevis.

Photos will follwo next week as I have forgotten my camera lead!

Climbing all week

It has been a nice week of sunshine and rock climbing. On Tuesday I was with Tony and Robert at Symonds Yat and we had a very enjoyable day culminating in a sun bathe on the top of the Long Stone Pinnacle.

Wednesday and Thursday were spent in Snowdonia on an intro to climbing course with Jo, Vicky and Jess and we had 2 beautiful days of sunshine. We went to Holyhead Mountain on Wednesday and climbed Pigeon Hole Crack, Wandering Primrose and Black Owen. On Thursday we went to Llangollen and at the Trevor Area for the day.

The Misty Isle

The Isle of Skye lived up to its reputation last week giving us a healthy dose of Scottish weather! I was joined by Alan and Gabby on a Skye Scrambling week from Monday to Friday.

Monday saw a dry day with some sunshine and we headed up Sgurr a Mhadaidh, Greadaidh, Thormaid and Banachdich.

Tuesday was the best day of the week with some beautiful sunshine and no wind so we made the most of it. We headed up the Sgumain stone shute to summit Sgurr Sgumain, Sgurr Alasdair, Thearlaich, Mhic Choinnich and then finished on the summit of the Inaccessible Pinnacle. An 11 hour day taking in the best of Skye.

Wednesday was drizzly all day with no visibility but we enjoyed Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir with Gabby and Alan leading the latter.

Thursday saw a bright morning followed by strong winds and rain so we headed up to Window Buttress and managed to get some rock climbing in before the bad weather arrived. Friday was a wash out with heavy rain and gale force winds so we headed to the coast for some sea side coasteering!

All in all a good week.

Intro to Scrambling

I spent the last two days in North Wales with Jo & Mark on an intro to scrambling course. It was pretty windy and we had some heavy showers, a real change from April!

We went up Seniors Ridge and down the Gribin (see photo) on bank holiday Monday and hardly saw another soul. The only people we saw were from a distance in Cwm Idwal and again on the tops of the Glyders.

Yesterday we went up Little and North Gullies on Tryfan which were nicely sheltered from a strong Westerly wind. Again we did not see another soul until we reached the summit.
A great couple of days in good company.