LEDGE ROUTE & CMD ARETE, BEN NEVIS

Another fabulous sunny and warm day with unbroken sunshine and only a slight breeze. A day out alone today, a rare treat, went up Ledge Route on The Ben and down the CMD arete. A great day out to see a lot of Ben Nevis. Ledge Route was quiet with only 3 folk on it. I managed to stay off the Pony Track up as far as Tower Gully, yo avoid the noise and dogs, etc. So only 2 minutes with the crowds to the summit, or less if you run it. Peace and quiet again over the arete. High pressure and good dry, sunny conditions for the next few days, enjoy it!

BEN NEVIS AGAIN

It  was a much better weather day on Ben Nevis. Colder and cloud with the odd shower in the morning. Afternoon was bright sunshine, the wind picking up and feeling chilly. My group of 5 today included David, in his 72nd year and just completed the West Highland way before having a rest day yesterday! High pressure next week so hopefully some nice days to come.

BACK TO THE BEN

A rather soggy return to The Ben today, with showers and low cloud most of the day. This didn't seem to deter the hoards of folk up the hill, though we had an early start so it was relatively quiet on the way up. The sun did come out in the afternoon. Good luck to my couple on their 3 peaks challenge.

STAC POLLAIDH

We were up  in the Ullapool area, NW Highlands with a day out on Stac Pollaidh. A cracking mountain with a lowly height of just over 600m but the position and steepness that puts many bigger hills into the shadows. To top all of that there is fantastic scrambling all the way along the ridge, with easier options in places. To reach the true highest point there is a great little scramble which puts many folk off, indeed how may folk have actually got to the top? Weather was superb and a clarity of light for great pics,  Mr. Midge was hanging around on the top but this didn't spoil the day.

RAIN & SUN

Back in The Highlands and a week long trip around various areas, Cairngorms, Skye and back in Lochaber. Today we all headed up to Meall a Chumainn. It was a very wet morning with heavy rain but the sun came out afternoon and it was glorious. Steall falls looking great and the Ghuibhachan burn well in spate.

Off in Ullapool area all next week, no stop for the wicked!

TOUR MONT BLANC

 Some Tour Mont Blanc shots....From a couple of weeks ago

PICS FROM TOUR MATTERHORN

Belated shots from the Tour of the Matterhorn I was leading last week. Mixed weather, hot sun mostly and couple of wet days. Great trek round the most iconic mountain in the world? Mix of high passes, glacial traverses, steep ground, lonely valleys

THE TARMACHAN HAS LANDED

Back home, in middle of a week long 'strolling' in the hills with a group of 7, mostly from Canada. Pics from The Alps coming up soon!

TOUR OF THE MATTERHORN

Just out on the first day round the tour of The Matterhorn. Warm and sunny, cool on the tops in the cold northerlies at the moment. Settled weaather maybe on its way after a very changable two weeks on the TMB. Good day out last week on the Hellbroner, most folk travel up on the gondola, thought I'd scramble up its ridge which gave a good day out on my day off. Still no facilities for uploading pics.

ALPS

A mixed bag of weather out in The Alps. Camping trip. Days of  hot sun, rain, then  cool, great clarity for pictures but unfortunately cant upload any at the moment. Nearing the end of the Tour du Mont Blanc, then over to the Valais and Tour of the Matterhorn for a week.