Enjoying the Sun

For the past week I have been working for Stramash in Glencoe. Stramash had the Tullochen Trust in Glencoe for their outdoor residential. I was taking two seperate groups up to camp in the Lost Valley, from there we went to Gear Aonagh and the second group went to the top of Stob Coire Nan Lochan. We had great weather throughout the week and both groups really enjoyed the views and lack of Midgies. I hope the rest of the summer is as good as this. 

Heading up to Stob Coire Nan Lochan

On Gearr Aonagh

Looking into the Lost Valley 

Still plenty of Snow



 

I was on the Ben for the Snowgoose mountain centre today. I was leading a school group from London to the Summit. They did well only taking around six hours to get up and down.
The summit was really busy even with all the snow, which meant that you had more than a few people stepping right out onto the cornices!

Fun in the Sun

Last night I was phoning round desperately trying to find a climbing partner. The weather was going to be stunning and the midges are still not out yet so I was desperate not to miss the opportunity to get on the rock.
Eventually Neil got back to me and we planned to head into the Glen. We started off 'Sues climb' (HVS 5b*) on the River Walls, the first pitch was really dirty and covered in green slime. However the second pitch had plenty of good clean rock and come interesting moves to top out on.
After this we headed over to Gorge Crag so I could have a look at 'Plague of Blazes' (E2 5b***). I have been wanting to climb this for a long time but it is wet on the driest of days. So finding it on a dry day is pretty difficult. I was glad to get on it because it was one of the better climbs I have ever done. It keeps coming and had loads of interest all the way up the route.
Unfortunately my camera isn't working very well so I didn't get any pictures of the route or the amazing weather we had in the fort.

Making Use of the Rain

It's pretty wet in the Fort at the moment, but luckily I was paddling with Nevis Canoe Club today so the rain wasn't a problem for us. I was leading some of the clubs beginners down their very first river which was great fun.
We stuck to the basics and made our way up the canal and then came back down the River Lochy.

The group heading down the river

Sunglasses and Sun Cream!

After looking out the window this morning I was rather unmotivated to get out. Everything was still wet from the night before and I couldn't get any paddling partners. By the afternoon a heatwave had moved over the Fort and everything was dry.

Luckily I got response from Craig so we headed down the Glen for hot rock. We started on Promises (Hard Severe 4b**) to warm up, then I climbed Rubber Face (E1 5b**) which could do with some more traffic.

Craig on Secretaries Direct (Severe)

On Twitch (E1 5b)

We kept heading up the way toward Secretaries Buttress for Craig to do the first pitch of Secretaries Direct (Severe***) and for me to do Twitch (E1 5b*).

A great days cragging and all was going well until I was walking back to the car when I slipped and noticed that I wasn't going to have a soft landing. So whilst falling down the side of the hill I managed to inform Craig that 'this was going to hurt'. Luckily wasn't as bad as it could have been but I do have a nice bruise on my knee for my efforts.

Real Adventures

I have been working with Dan Robinson and Real Adventure over the past four days in the Lake District. It was great fun to be back working with Dan and good to visit new places and work with old friends again.
I was working with 9 girls from Malvern College for four days . Together we Kayaked and Canoed on Ullswater, walked over Birkhouse Moor and gorge walked up Red Tarn Beck.