10-02-16, Torridon, Glen Carron - Winter Mountaineering

I have just spent 3 days in North West Highlands, Munro bagging with Simon. It is wintry over there, with snow above 600m, plenty of rime on the rocks, not so much ice however. The freezing level seemed to rise to or above the summits most days making the snow turn heavy by midday. We had a great time on Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Lieth Mhor-Sgorr Ruadh, despite the visibility not always showing Torridon in its fine glory!

Northern Pinnacles, Liathach.

Descending on Horns of Alligin.

Horns of Alligin.

About as close to sunshine as we got from Monday!

Coire Lair.

Sgorr Ruadh and some deer girls.

Liathach the start of the ridge.

Liathach on the way up Spidean Coire Leith.

On the Liathach Pinnacles.

16-01-16, Skye, North West Highands - Winter Mountaineering

Winter Cuillin Ridge Bruach na Frithe to Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh.

 A great visibility forecast for the weekend and knowing there was plenty of snow about, we headed  to Skye to do some winter mountaineering. Unfortunately Saturday was cloudy, snowy and 30mph winds, the visual beauty  of the Cuillin wasn't there for us but the terrain up the NE ridge of Sgurr a' Bhasteir and down the NW of Bruach na Frith, did give us all a great sustained, interesting journey. Plenty of unconsolidated snow about everywhere.

A nice snow arete across the ridge between Sgurr a' Bhasteir and Am Basteir.

Plenty of interest on the way down the NW ridge of Bruach na Frithe.

Snowy peaks in Glen Shiel on the drive through.

Forcan Ridge, The Saddle, Glen Shiel.

28-03-14, Neist Point, Skye - Scottish Rock Climbing

'Tourist Attraction', Bay 3.

 The past couple of days I have been rock climbing with Mehmet at Neist Point, westerly tip of Skye. As always Neist was fantastic, good value, long, quality single pitch dolerite routes, where the 1 * routes are actually very good! The easterly winds didn't affect us and the sun was out, fine climbing, fine surroundings.

'Side Step', Bay 3.

'The Old Warden', Cumhann Geodha.

'Bridging Interest', Financial Sector.

24-03-14, North West Highlands

Alternative view into the back of Beinn Eighe, Liathach, Beinn Dearg, Beinn Alligin.

Beinn Dearg and Sgurr Mor.

Sgurr Mor - 'The Resurrection'

Watch the road! An Teallach.

An Teallach.

An Teallach.

Gruinard Bay.

Beinn Eighe, Triple Buttresses, straight line view into 'Morrison's Gully' on the right.

12-03-14, Ardmair and Stone Valley, North-West Highlands - Scottish Rock Climbing

Garry on Moondance, Ardmair.

High pressure, North-West glorious rock climbing. Garry and I have just had an awesome experience of 2 days cragging in the North-West Highlands in optimal conditions. Ardmair yesterday and Stone Valley today.

Terrace Crack, Ardmair.

The Dance Floor, Ardmair.

Open Secret, Stone Valley.

Touch and Go variant.

Stone Valley.

26-02-14, Beinn Eighe and Liathach - Winter Climbing

I have been working in the North-West Highlands for the past four days. Slightly frustrating weather. Big thaw over the weekend with lots of rain, however there is still plenty of snow about. It was slushy on Monday, we climbed George, didn't want to risk a mushy Poacher's. Tuesday very good weather day, walked into Triple Buttresses on Beinn Eighe and climbed East Buttress, most excellent route, remote feel and fairly long and intimidating. The snow was hard neve from the base of the corrie up, surprisingly different to other places in Torridon that day. In general the buttress were dry with hard useful snow on the ledges. Wednesday more driving rain and felt warm, freezing level much higher than forecast! When it becomes dryer and cold conditions will be fabulous.

New difficulties on George, quite banked out I think.

Monday after the 48 hour rain assisted thaw.

Poacher's Falls looking healthy, but not that great an idea in those temperatures.

Awesome Triple Buttresses. 

Broad Terrace approach to East Buttress.

East Buttress, Beinn Eighe IV,5 ***