NEW BLOG

I have recently been working on a new website and blog. You can find the new blog, with all of the old posts on this blog, here: http://www.expeditionguide.com/blog/

Family Fun

I have taken this week off to enjoy some time with the kids over the Easter holidays. We have enjoyed a couple of days of visiting family and managed some nice walks in the mountains too - it is stunning here in Snowdonia at the moment with blue skies, sunshine and snowy topped mountains.

Paradise

Gareth and I headed into Glencoe today as that seemed to offer the best chance of more sunshine. We walked, skinned and climbed our way to the summit of Bidean and then skied off the summit on lovely spring snow via Paradise all the way down to the Lost Valley. A cracking end to the last day of my winter season, thanks to everyone who has shared it. Scotland is amazing!

Scottish Ski Touring

Gareth has stayed on from the winter mountaineering course at the start of this week to join me for two days of Scottish Ski Touring. Initially scheduled for the weekend we did some re-arranging as the weather and conditions are so good and we wanted to make the most of them!

Today we headed to Aonach Mor, setting out from the car park in thick cloud and then whooping with delight as the gondola pulled out of the murk to reveal a beautiful inversion.

We did a quick couple of runs on icey pistes before dropping into the back corries where the snow had been warmed in the sun and gave some beautiful spring off piste skiing. We then skinned across to the summit of Aonach Mor with skis on our backs for the rocky ridge section. The summit gave a lovely ski off before we headed back to Aonach Mor for further back corrie action.  A simply amazing day!

Ledge Route, Ben Nevis

Wow. Another amazing day in Scotland, it's like being in the Alps in spring! I teamed up with Tom & Laura today whilst Huw headed out with Rachel & Gareth. The ridges are the place to be at the moment and we chose Ledge Route, whilst Huw headed for Tower Ridge. Two stunning routes in stunning weather and conditions to finish the 3 day Scottish Winter Mountaineering course off in style!

There were plenty of other folk out enjoying the conditions too, including more skiers than I have seen outside of the resorts - great to see the back country scene booming!

Curved Ridge

It has been another incredible day here in the Highlands. I have been out with Racheal and Gareth on Curved Ridge in Glencoe on our winter mountaineering course. The route was fantastic with dry rock between firm snowy ridges, azure blue skies and far reaching views. The snow was firm when trampled and where in the shade but soft in the snow and Huw witnessed a massive cornice collapse alongside Sron na Larig so some caution is still required. An amazing day! 

You Lovely People

The best thing about this job is watching people progress as they come back, year after year. I have been instructing since 2001 and full time since 2008 and I have seen some amazing progression from people within that time.

With that theme in mind I have had several emails from people that have joined us this winter and want to do the same again in 2017. I have therefore put the dates for next winters courses on the diary page, and they are already starting to book up. If you want to come and play in the snow in Scotland or Norway next winter then check out the dates here: http://www.expeditionguide.com/diary.php

Claggy End to the Week

It has been a warm damp day in Scotland today. The inclement conditions proved the ideal environment for both the winter skills and the avalanche course to put their newly acquired skills to good use on a mountain journey. I'm afraid there's no photos as the weather was not condusive but high pressure is building again for next week! Thanks all for a great week. 

Avalanche Awareness Course

I have been running the first day of our avalanche awareness course today. It's a two day MTA workshop for members to come along and undertake Continuing Professional Development in all things Avalanche. We headed to the Nevis Range Ski Centre and dispelled some myths, got geeky and provided folk with some structure to their Avalanche avoidance skills. Meanwhile Tarquin has taken the winter skills team out on the Mamores. 

We have all enjoyed more incredible weather with blue skies and no wind. I'm even a bit sun burnt!

More amazing weather!

We are an incredibly lucky group this week - we have had another blue sky day here in Scotland, giving world class conditions in the mountains. The team and I have been up Meall a Bhuiridh in Glencoe, looking at winter navigation, use of a rope and ice axe arrest along the way. We rounded off a great day in the best way possible - with a visit to the Clachaig!