ALPINE SUMMER

I will be away working in The Alps from 11th June until 12th September 2008.

For all enquiries and bookings please email me at:

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk

ALPINE FLOWERED MOUNTAINS

It was a very pleasent day and once again no rain here in the Southern Highlands. There was a refreshing and welcome strong Westerly on the tops today. I was in the Cam Chreag area of the Tarmachans and looking at the wonderful array of Alpine flowers on the crags and gullies. Amongst the multitude of plants and flowers were: Common Rock Rose, Rose Root, Moss Campion, Starry Saxifrage, Mossy Saxifrage, Cloudberry, Mountain Sorrel and Wood Sorrel. Of particular interest and not at all common is Rock Cress and Alpine Mouse ear. The summit block on Meall garbh is cloaked in moss campion and rock cress.

All this Alpine stuff leads nicely into saying farewell to The Scottish Mountains for a couple of months as I am working in The Alps untill Mid September.

All enquiries please email me at:

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk

NOT ANOTHER SUNNY DAY!

It was yet another fabulous sunny and very warm day after some early high cloud in The Highlands. Lo and I were on the four Munro's North of Glen Lyon today. We did some navigation training and were also treated to Golden Plover and Ptarmigan on the traverse of the hills. We also saw lots of Moss Campion, Mountain Pansies and Trailing Azalia has just started flowering.

THE BEN, AGAIN

Another marshalling/guiding event again on The Ben today. It was quite pleasent being a Friday as not so many folk on the hill. Very warm again but thankfully a nice breeze higher up. Last group off didn't get down till 10pm so we enjoyed lovely views out to the West as the sun went down.

MOUNTAIN OF PANSIES

Another superb sunny and very warm day here in The Highlands. A nice breeze too so not a midge in sight. Peter and I went up the South ridge of Carn Gorm in Glen Lyon. The highlight of the walk was the amazing amount of mountain pansies from about 450m right up to 850m. There were also carpets of Moss Campion all over the hillside. We saw no one all day as this is not a Munro baggers usual route. Other flowers and plants of note were heath spotted orchid, cyphal, mountain everlasting, yellow saxifrage and thyme

HIGH ALTITUDE MIDGES!

A low level of cloud today on the mountins.

Ian, Don and myself went over to Beinn Chreachan near Bridge of Orchy. It was very warm, no wind, perfect for midges. The midges were up to 850m!

AONACH EAGACH

Another schorcher again in The Highlands. It was a beautiful clear morning in Glencoe. Laurence and I traversed The Aonach Eagach ridge. Wonderful ridge walk, very exposed in places with scrambling up and down wee chimneys, blocks and slabs. Today was far more pleasent in the light breeze. The heatwave continues!