Mountain Blog Book

Meall nan Tarmachan

Chris — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:51:28 +0000

With Lucy Wallace and Dave Ball and their AMC party. Up the tourist route then, traversed east of the summit to the north ridge. Cold, windy and snowy. Found a good snow patch and Dave ran an ice axe breaking session. Also coached David on step-cutting skills. Another wild day with big gusts. Got very cold and ended up wearing every stitch I was carrying.

Ben More, Crianlarich

Chris — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:45:06 +0000

With Jez, finishing his T2 winter assessment. Wild and rainy from the car. There were several huge trees blocking the path through the forest, presumably brought down by the storms earlier in December. Assessed Jez on snow belays at some good snow patches on the side of the NE ridge before going for a quick look at conditions on the ridge. The gusts were probably 60-70mph, pick you up and slam you down style. After a brief stop to discuss what next and put crampons on we went down – not before Jez almost lost his sack which was blown off by a gust.

Sabre Tooth, Lost Valley Buttress

Chris — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:41:08 +0000

Grade IV, 5. With Dougal and Jess. Very late start after being delayed on drive by an accident and soft snow on walk in. Bit of sleety drizzle at first, but turned into a settled, cold day. First pitch was hard work with unconsolidated snow and iced up cracks. Already 2pm by the bottom of the second pitch so we traversed left into the gully and walked over Bidean instead. Walked down in the dark. Had the crag to ourselves and will definitely be back!

The Seam, Coire an t’Sneachda

Chris — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:14:35 +0000

With Rob. IV, 5. An early start from Glasgow got us in poll position on the route, with a big queue forming behind us on the first pitch. Cold and blowy on the walk in. Some turf not frozen and lots of unconsolidated snow on the route, though the coire itself was scoured. Alternated pitches, no issues. Topped out before one and down to Aviemore for coffee and cake. Great start to the season.

Ben Vorlich

Chris — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:52:54 +0000

IMC. Walked in from Ardvorlich, passed east of Ben Vorlich up Glen Vorlich and then camped by the river south of the mountain. Felt like crap with terrible cold but lovely day. Spotted a short-eared owl hunting for voles (there were thousands of them around). Pitched tent and then nipped up Ben Vorlich in the afternoon. Social evening with Scott’s group then walked out towards Callander the next morning.

Glen Ogle

Chris — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:49:02 +0000

IMC, out with John Bagge’s group. Ran a ropework session near the viaduct. Rained most of the time.

Glen Tarken

Chris — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:46:09 +0000

IMC course. Out with Scott’s group. Micro nav practice. Sunny and warm with some short sharp showers in the afternoon. Good intense nav day.

Meall Reamhar, Glen Ogle

Chris — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:44:08 +0000

First day out with trainees on Lochearnhead IMC course. Nice weather.

Conic Hill, Balmaha

Chris — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:50:34 +0000

Evie’s first summit. Big group of us with lots of kids for leisurely walk in the sun on first day of BST. Even got a touch of sunburn. Winter feels over.

Point Five Gully, Ben Nevis

Chris — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:46:42 +0000

With Rob and Jim. Grade V,5. Brilliant to get this route ticked. Went up with the intention of doing Hadrian’s Wall Direct, thinking Point Five would be busy, but the queue was on HWD. Cloudy, mild but nice chewy ice for placements. Not brilliant for ice screws, however. We took a steep pitch each, I led the rogue pitch. Brilliant fun. 12 hours car-to-car then Real Food Café on the way home. A difficult day to match.