Logie Head, Introduction to Rock Climbing day 2

Back to the coast today with a heavy forecast inland. This time Sarah and I went for Logie Head, which is a little further along the Moray coastline at Cullen. We got a few routes in and one of the Stacks before rain and dive-bombing gulls halted play, although that wasn’t until three so the best of the day was had. Hopefully a bid for the hills tomorrow will be made but it’s a case of seeing what the weather actually is out the window at the time just now due to some changing forecasts.
This week I am working for Glenmore Lodge

The Mountain Adventure Specialists, Mountain Plan

Cummingstone, Introduction to Rock Climbing

I was on the first of a five-day intro to rock climbing course. With some wet weather due we headed to the coast to look for a dry day and that we found, hot sunny and dry! This can often be the case when its wet in the Highlands the crags along the Moray Firth can often be dry. If they are not then give up and head for the wall. Looks like a mixed week weather wise.
This week I am working for Glenmore Lodge

The Mountain Adventure Specialists, Mountain Plan

Ben Nevis

I was out for a very early start on the Ben 3am!!! We had 118 people making a three peaks trip. A good sunrise in the hills with a high moon made for an atmospheric ascent. Lots of other teams out when the sun came up. The path is moving on well with the section from the wall at the halfway lochan through to the red burn complete and a start made on the first Zig Zag.

Today I was working for Jagged Globe

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Location, Location, Loacation !!

UKC have been running a series of articles on mountain/outdoorsy places to live in the UK. Dave Mcleod has written the one for Fort William area. I have a few words to say in the piece as well so have a look here UKC Fort William

Also another piece on the UKC site is that about the Mountain rescue service and the taxes the government charges, read here, they pay around £200'000 to the government every year. The MRT's are staffed by volunteers and is a funded by public charity and they help the public, police and ambulance services without any financial remuneration and at any time of the day. To make a protest sign the petition at Number 10

Image enjoying Scottish Ice winter 09.

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Grizedale Slabs, Thornhow

I had a quick after work climb with Claire one of the visiting teachers. We climbed Gambol rib which lies above and left of Thornhow crag a 2 pitch Severe. Not well used given the amount of moss on the rock but the upper pitch was clean and good climbing.

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Lakes Slime!!

A few shots from the weekend with Markus in the Lakes we failed to find dry rock, perhaps due to the rain!! We tried Raven Crag Keldas which is just above Paterdale Hall on Ullswater after work no go due to the wet and pretty unstable nature of the rock we did manage a couple of routes at Brunt crag on the Dockray road. Also a couple from the Kirkstone crags which due to rain was called off !!
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Swirl Upper and Lower and a bee in my bonnet!!!

I headed out for a quick after work session with Ben Dowman to Swirl upper and lower crag these crags lie above Thirlspot on Helvelyn. Upper giving some HS to E1 and a bit friendlier in comparison to the lower steeper crag, which starts at E1. Very hot and humid temps which made the thrash uphill through the bracken hard going, little did we know we would be making this trek again later that night! I also got quite literally a bee in my bonnet whilst climbing one pitch a bee flew into my hair stinging me right on the head! Once we got the kit away and drove through Ambleside en route back to base Ben announced that his wallet was at the foot of the crag and so back through the bracken we went!! A good evening crag with good views and nice routes.

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Check out this film from around the streets of Edinburgh 7 million hits in nearly as many weeks, Danny Macasgill is pretty handy on his bike.........

Ben Nevis ! Scorchio

I was up on the Ben today marshaling a charity event for Marie Curie we had 90 people making a bid for the summit amid very hot temps. There was a fair crowd on the mountain today. Today I was working for Alan Kimber

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Ben Nevis, hot !

I was on the Ben today with a team on charity three peaks event. The hill was quiter than I was expecting given the amount of people that seem to be in town. The weathe was hot but the clouds kept it off us most of the day and there was a cool breeze when you wanted it. There is lots of good work being done on the path they are working the section between the halfway windbreak on the corner round to the red burn and are pretty much at the burn.

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