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!

More Scottish!

It has been a return to more normal winter conditions in the Highlands today with some strong winds and atmospheric snow conditions. It has been good and cold though so theres no complaints from me - we haven't had any rain! Laura, Tom, Chris, Ian, Rob and I headed onto Aonach Mor and topped up some of the skills we didn't cover yesterday. Its looking great again for tomorrow!

Scottish Winter Skills Week

I am back up in Scotland this week and today was the first day of our five day winter skills course. With some amazing weather I decided we would do a journey across Buachaille Etive Beag, teaching skills as we went. We didn't quite make the last summit as the ridge was narrow and the consequences of a slip too high for a first day in crampons. It was a belter of a day though as you can see from the photos. 

Thank You

Hi Rob,
Just wanted to drop you a line to say thank you for yet another fantastic trip to Rjukan. As usual everything was organised brilliantly and the instruction was top notch; combined with the excellent conditions this lead to a superb trip.
Even the Tuesday morning dunking didn’t lead to a dampener to the proceedings! Thank you once again for catering to my predicament and salvaging the day!

I’d like to sign up for next year’s trip, so if that’s ok let me know and I’ll pay you a deposit straight away.

Thanks again,

Shae.

Heavy Water

For the last couple of days of our ice climbing week in Norway we enjoyed some multi pitch routes in the Upper Gorge, often climbing up to the factory made famous in the story of the Heroes of Telemark where allied resistance fighters carried out a daring raid to destroy the Heavy Water that would have been a critical component of the Atomic Bomb. We had no such pressures on us and were able to enjoy some fat ice under blue skies, climbing routes around the WI 4 (Scottish 5) grades as people really hit their stride. The final day was spent at Kroken with some folks progressing onto leading there own routes and others keen to continue progressing their grade, climbing all manner of steep ice before finally heading back to Oslo in the sleepy bus!

Three of the six booked their spaces for next year before we even left Norwegian soil! A great trip with great people, thanks all.

Rjukan Ice

Yesterday we split into three teams and headed to the Lower Gorge here in Rjukan, climbing a variety of single and two pitch routes from WI3 to WI4. The gorge is in great condition this year with no shortage of routes to choose from. 

Today has been a team rest day with people choosing various activities including downhill skiing and cross country skiing. Back on the ice tomorrow.

 

Ice Climbing

I was lucky enough to enjoy a spot of skiing over the weekend in Oslo having dropped off the snowshoe team and waiting for the Ice Climbing Team. I'm now in Rjukan for the week with Sharon, Dave, Andy, Simon, Bala and Shae and fellow instructors Huw and Rusty. The ice is much better than the last couple of years and with blue skies and cold temperatures it's looking like a great week. 

Norway Snowshoe Week

We have had a brilliant week here in Norway. The weather has been great, staying cold and dry all week and giving some fresh snow to create a true arctic feel. We even got a glimpse of the Northern Lights on a slow camera exposure. We have climbed summits, slept in a snow shelter, been mushing with the huskies, done an overnight expedition in the Lavu, tried cross country skiing and eaten fine food. What a week! 

Norway

Lovely to be back in Norway for our snowshoe week. Posts will be sporadic for the next two weeks though! 

North Ridge of Tryfan in the snow with Trail Magazine

I met up with Oli and Tom from Trail magazine last night to show them around the Mountain Rescue base in Nant Peris. They had offered me an invitation to join them for the day today and having seen the forecast and fresh snow on the tops it seemed rude to say no. We headed up the North Ridge of Tryfan which is a great outing at any time of year, but a particular favourite in the snow. Great fun - thanks boys.

BMC Women in Adventure Film

I have submitted an entry into this years BMC "Women in Adventure" Film Competition. The films will be ranked by the number of views they get on BMC TV so if you like it please watch and share!
It is online here: http://tv.thebmc.co.uk/videos/women-in-adventure-kate-worthington/

Snowdon on Ski

Its great to have snow on the mountains at home - I managed a cheeky ski off Snowdon this morning via the Llanberis Path. Fun!