03-02-14, Cummingston, Moray Coast - Trad Rock Climbing

 Avoided the windy mountains today. The north facing tidal Cummingston on the Moray coast, was very pleasant and sandy! Even though we were escaping the weather, it was a valuable day for Karl, on his 7 day quest to learn all he can about winter climbing and mountaineering, as trad climbing is something he has done very little of. We climbed a lot of routes from Moderate - Hard Severe in trainers, along the way looking at belaying, runner placements, building solid anchors and abseiling.

09-02-12, Logie Head, Moray Coast - Rock Climbing

Logie Head, great quartzite fin of rock.

More rock climbing today. Slightly damp, so not as glorious as you may imagine! Very warm in Scotland today, reports of saturated slushy wadefest snow in big gullies of the northern corries. Avy and I went to Logie Head, and enjoyed some wet rock, we had a look at placing runners, building belays and tying yourself to the rock face safely. The wildlife was most excellent also, spotted maybe 10 or so Bottlenose Dolphins.

Wet VDiff climbing at Logie Head.

Bottlenose Dolphins in the Moray Firth.

08-02-12, Cummingston, Moray Coast - Rock Climbing

Cummingston stack from the cave.

 High wind speeds in the Cairngorms today. Avy and I went rock climbing on the Moray coastal crag - Cummingston. A soft sandstone, 10-15m high, tidal and non tidal areas, good range of easy to mid grades. A good calm but cold day, gave Avy's knees a rest and a chance to look at rock climbing skills, taking out runners, belaying and abseiling. After dropping off Avy in Aviemore, looks like lots of snow has left the mountains, probably blown away! The buttress starting to look black also.

Flying buttress left, VD. Climbs the stack.

Cornflake Wall, Mod. Cummingston Classic!