Scotland 3 (early Jan)

Yeap, I went off to Scotland again. This time was a solo trip into the Cairngorms to get some Quality Mountain Days under my belt in preparation for my Winter Mountain Leader. A good friend of mine (Heavy Whalley) dropped me off at the Sugar Bowl so I could walk through the Charlemagne Gap to access the Lairig Ghru and on to the Corrour Bothy. Conditions were superb - blue skies, no wind, cold temperatures and not a soul about. I took my time and got to the bothy after about 6 hours and it was nice to find the bothy empty. The next day I ventured up onto Cairn Toul and Angels Peak. Strong winds and poor visibility made going slow, but I then returned to the bothy and enjoyed a fine evening with the bothy mice (the little buggers kept me awake for ages). The next day I walked over Ben Macdui and across the plateau in complete whiteout. When this happens, it is very difficult to see any features or the horizon, making travel and visual navigation difficult and one has to rely on walking on compass bearings and timing/pacing. Fortunately I eventually recognised the edge of the Northern Corries and dropped down through the ski area to a well-deserved bath and vegetable stirfry!

First Aid Course 6/7 Jan

One of the necessary evils I have to undergo as an Outdoor Instructor is First Aid courses. I need to remain current for professional reasons. Trouble is, I've been subjected to these courses every year for nearly 25 years. Surely I should be exempt from doing them now?

New Year's Bouldering

Went down to Little Fistral to test out my new Alpkit bouldering mat. The rock was a bit damp, but I had a couple of hours fun!

New Year's Eve

Back in Cornwall.

Ssssssssshhhh!...........don't tell anyone, but I went sea kayaking today and I quite enjoyed it!

Scotland 2

Yeap, I went up again before Christmas. Again with Heather (and Milly). This time we went climbing in Corrie an T-Sneachda, cross country skiing in Glenmore and had 2 nights in the Ling hut, up in Torridan. Conditions this winter are unbelieveable. Theres been so much snow early on. Driving down the Torridan road was 'interesting', to say the least. I had a big day out on Ben Eighe, which included wading through knee deep powder snow on the approach and battling 60mph winds on the summit ridge in fading light. It was quite an experience, but I was pleased I could handle it well. Just need to get some new ski goggles - an essential item of winter mountaineering equipment!

Scotland 1

Have been up in the Highlands with a friend of mine from Aviemore. Heather Morning in the Mountain Safety Advisor for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. She also is a member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and has a Search and Rescue dog, Milly. Those of you out there who read Trail magazine will know of Heather's and Milly's exploits from many of Heather's articles! She's a very busy girl, but she managed to come out with me and spend a few days out West on some big hills. Conditions were great - cold and crisp, with a covering of snow on the tops. We stayed in a Bothy, which is like an open shelter, free to use, but very basic. Bearnais Bothy is in a very idyllic, but isolated location, but it suited our needs perfectly as a base to walk up some Munros and a Corbett. I am working towards the Winter Mountain Leader award and this trip certainly gave me a good opportunity to get some quality mountain days in for my logbook!

There be snow on the Moor - December 2010

Have been out with Duchy College students on Bodmin Moor. All quite exciting as there is plenty of snow (for Cornwall) and even some ice! We made an ascent of Cornwall's highest peak, Brown Willy (420m), travelling from South to North. The peak is a longish ridge and, although it presents no real difficulty, its felt quite exciting in these cold conditions!