10/6/13 - Cuillin Ridge one day traverse

Dave and I had been discussing a traverse of the Cuillins for as long as we had known each other but had always insisted that we waited for perfect conditions to optimise our chances of success.  On the 10th of this month, we had those conditions and emerged from our bivvy in coire a Grhunnda, dropped the rucksacks and headed to the south end of the ridge, only to double back on ourselves, full of excitement!  Although the excitement soon got a bit too much for Dave on Sgurr Dubh Mor when a large block (that looked like you could swing a car off it) suddenly detached when he pulled on it, after a few acrobatic moves and a sigh of relief we were back on track heading towards the TD gap.  The TD gap, we knew was the technical crux of the route and had a reputation for being polished.  This lead to a great deal of debate on whether or not we should take some rock shoes.  Im glad we didnt.  In my opinion the gap might even feel more polished and harder for the grade in rock shoes as a good old boot jam or 2 seemed to be all there was for the footwork side of things.  Dave lead up the gap within minutes I seconded and we were off again towards Sgurr Alasdair.

After baggin Sgurr Alasdair and we descended down to the bealach before making a superb traverse of Collies Ledge on Sgurr Mhic Choinnich before pressing on to the surprisingly deserted Inn Pin on the top of Sgurr Dearg. 

After baggin the pin we headed off to Sgurr Banachdaich, leading to Sgurr a Mhadaidh.  We were very aware that the section between Sgurr a Mhadaidh and Bruach na Frithe was the most technically intensive section as far as route finding and terrain went.  Once this was passed and after a few abseils we found ourselves slogging a very long way up Bruach na Frithe wich was summited with relief! 

Bruach na Frithe now reached, the end was in sight with Sgurr nan Gillean looking close.  We were fortunate enough to have a very good friend, Peter Khambatta in the area who had earlier stashed us a litre of water at the bealach, this was a most welcome sight, and Dave downed it almost in a oner, I dont think it touched the sides!  with the last top now in sight we pressed on to bag Sgurr nan Gillean via the West ridge.  This route served as a wake up call, providing amazingly exposed Mod/Diff climbing and swinging from pinnacle to pinnacle above the eye opening drop below.  A short while later we found ourselves on the summit.  Cuillin ridge, one day traverse ...TICK!  

All that was then left to do was endure the agonising walk off back to the Slig.  After what seemed like the walk off of all walk offs, we drove back to Glen Brittle and toyed with the idea of eating before sacking this idea in favor of sleep.  We each slept in our cars to avoid the midgies and even though crammed in the front seat of a Citroen Saxo, I still managed 10hrs uninterrupted sleep! 

This was without a doubt the hardest, most exciting, most painful and incredible day I have ever spent in the mountains, the memories of which i will treasure for a life time.  A massive thanks to my climbing partner Dave Anderson for a truly amazing day! 

24/5/13 - 8/6/13 ...Blog catch up!

On the 24th of May, Dave and I headed down Glen Etive to bag the classic Spartan Slab VS 4c/5a on Etive Slabs.  Conditions on the slab were optimal with bright sunshine and low temperatures making for some great views of Ben Starav and great friction on the slab.  The route itself was very good, thought provoking without ever being too tricky.  A definite classic and a must do for anyone looking to beef out (or even start) their MIA application!  The next two days saw me guiding on the Ben again for Mountain and Glen with both groups reaching the summit!  On the 2nd of June, I took Ali up Agags Groove (V.Diff) on Buachaille Etive Mor as her first ever multi pitch rock climb, this has got to be one of the best introductory multipitches anywhere in the UK with great views over Rannoch Moor.  After completing the climb and a quick wander up Crowbery Ridge on to the top of Crowberry Tower, we descended Coire Na Tulaich. Ali and I were back on the Buachaille for an easy day on the 6th enjoying good grade 3 scrambling on Creag Coire na Tulaich which was superb! Guiding again on the Ben on the 7 & 8 for both M&G and Lochaber Guides before returning on the evening of the 8th and beginning preparation for something extra special...

walking into Etive Slabs

the view from the 3rd pitch of Spartan Slab

another happy group at the top of Ben Nevis

And another!

Ali on P2 of Agags Groove

Ali tops out on to Crowberry Ridge

View from the top of Stob Dearg 

17.05.13 - Ben Nevis via the mountain path

Yesterday I was working for Lochaber Guides, guiding Chris and Darren on the mountain path.  The weather forecast was for heavy snow throughout the day (in mid May!) but fortunately this materialised as a few brief but heavy snow showers.  As conditions underfoot were very good and consistent, we decided to go for a bit of a wander, leaving the mountain path at the corner of ZZ6 & ZZ7 and took a bearing to the top of No4 Gully during which I explained to the guys how to take a grid bearing and apply that to the ground.  Once at the top of No4 Gully the guys were impressed to see some of the North face and the relatively large cornices.  After a brief explanation of how cornices and rime ice are formed, we made our way up to the cairns on the summit plateau where I gave the guys the opportunity to take bearings and walk on them from cairn to cairn, Darren seized this opportunity to learn a new skill and under close supervision, navigated us firstly to three cairns marking the top of Gardyloo Gully and then to the summit, good effort!  Once on the summit we took some photos before making our way back down the mountain path, even spotting a ladybird at the Red Burn path junction!  A massive well done and thanks to Chris and Darren for a great day on the mountain, Cheers guys!

Chris and Darren, half way up!

Darren checks his bearing

Navigating on the summit plateau

Darren and Chris at the summit of Ben Nevis 1,344m

Ladybird at the Red Burn!

Almost down with great views of the Mamores 

14.05.13 - Ben Nevis via the mountain path

Today I was working for Lochaber Guides, guiding Nick on the mountain path.  Weather and conditions today were very variable with the only constant being very poor visibility.  There has been a lot of recent snow fall and as we ascended, we first encountered snow on ZZ2 with ZZ3 being completely under snow.  Nick had previously attempted Ben Nevis twice before but had turned back at about half way on both occasions as he didnt feel confident in his navigation skills, todays poor visibility created a great opportunity to teach Nick some nav skills which he then used to nav off the summit in a complete white out (which briefly lifted) under close supervision.  A great effort by Nick ensured that this time he was able to stand proud at the summit, thanks for a great day and a very well done!

smiles as we turn windy corner

starting to find some snow on Zig Zag 2

Nick enjoying white out conditions!

Nick standing proud at the summit of Ben Nevis 1,344m

sandwich time!

The pea soup clearing as Nick navs off the summit

Nick navigating off the summit plateau using the cairns 

12.05.13 - Ben Nevis via the mountain path

Today I was working for Adventure Nevis, guiding Frankie and Dagmara on Ben Nevis.  The weather today was fairly decent if a bit claggy which soon deteriorated quite rapidly as we hit the 1000m mark.   Conditions underfoot on the mountain path today were very good with soft snow making life a bit easier.  Once on the summit plateau the wind picked up considerably and visibility deteriorated to zero, out came the map and compass.  Ben Nevis did not make it easy for these two young women to summit today and they should both be very proud of their efforts.Thanks gals for a great day of banter and a massive well done on climbing the Ben in challenging conditions, you definitely earned it!

Dagmara and Frankie smile before setting off!

Quick pose in front of the Red Burn

Frankie and Dagmara on the summit of Ben Nevis 1,344m

not hanging around on the summit today!