ANGELS RIDGE, SGOR AN LOCHAIN UAINE

The fabulous approach to the Angels Ridge scramble

High up on the ridge looking down to the lochan

Looking across to Ben Macdui & Cairn Toul

Carn a' Mhaim, The Lairig Ghru & Cairn Toul

The Garbh Corrie Mor

Angels Ridge

Cairn Toul & The Angels Ridge

A glorious summer day, lots of warm sun and only a slight breeze on the tops. Angels Ridge is a wonderful scramble in a remote setting and a fine way to ascend the Munro summit of Sgor an Lochain Uaine and onto the Braeriach plateau. It's a long way in through the Lairig Ghru and into the Garbh Corrie Mor. A beautiful walk and on a day like today simply splendid. To get to the foot of the ridge it's a steep line beside the burn flowing out of the lochan but there is a path here. The boulder ridge gets steeper and narrower as you ascend and the best of the scrambling is to stay directly on the crest. Fabulous views and the ridge finishes directly at the summit cairn. Not much change out of 5 hours from the house to the top. Now all that's needed is to walk back down, via Braeriach and loads more views and great walking. It's getting hotter!

LOW LEVEL WILDLIFE & BEN NEVIS FEATURE IN TRAIL

Ringlet Butterfly

Good time of year for Dragonlies, Golden Ringed Dragonfly

August issue of Trail magazine with Ben Nevis article

It was a fine day yesterday with warm sunshine in the afternoon and great time of year for wildlife and flora. There's no need to wander to far here in The Cairngorms to see some great wildlife. July a great time for dragonflies, we saw at Hawkers, Golden Ringed and small blue all at the same spot. There is a feature on various routes up Ben Nevis in August issue of Trail magazine, photo of the north face in there from me. Looking like its getting hotter by the weekend.

A VISIT TO SOME OLD FRIENDS

Cona Mheall & Beinn Dearg

Looking down Gleann na Squaib to Loch Broom

Stac Pollaidh, Cul Mor & Cul Beag from the summit of  Meall na Capriachean

Beinn Dearg

Nearing the summit of Cona Mheall

Glean na Squaib with An Teallach in the distance

It must be over 15 years since I last walked around the group of four wonderful Munros just a few miles south of Ullapool, Beinn Dearg, Cona Mheall, Meall nan Ceapraichean & Eididh nan Clach Geala. This fine set of hills offering great views to the west is a big day out with a long approach up Gleann na Squaib but with excellent paths most of the time. These hills used to be my 'local' day out when I lived up in Ullapool all those years ago, how time flies! Unfortunately we had missed the 'mini heat wave' of last week, setting out in very low cloud and drizzly spells of rain. As we got closer to the summit of Beinn Dearg the cloud lifted and the day improved until our final summit where we enjoyed great views with all the summits free of cloud. I had forgotten how quiet it is up here, mid summer, a weekend and only one other person seen all day.

 

TOUR MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

The amazing view from the Refugio Bonatti, looking across to the Grande Jorasses

The high level traverse above  Val Vaney, Monte Bianco and everyone's jumping with joy!

The high level ridge above Courmayeur, Monte de la Saxe. Most folk take a lower alternative, why?!!!

You can never tire of this!

You need patience to see the wildlife, take your time! Ibex mulling it over

And if you don't see these wee cutties then you really are just looking at your feet!

Beautiful early morning light outside the Refugio Bonatti with Monte Bianco to the left and Grande Jorasses prominent

The highest col on the TMB, Grand Col Ferret, looking over to Mont Dolent- The summit of 3 countries

The summit of Tete de la Trenche, for me the finest day of the TMB

The traverse form Col de Bonhomme to Col de Croix de Bonhomme, always snow here into July

Deant de Geant and Grand Jorasses on our way to Courmayeur

Welcome to Italy! First view of Monte Bianco

Back from my 34th circuit of the classic Tour of Mont Blanc. This classic trek around western Europe's highest mountain is always a popular circuit and for good reason. Wonderful Alpine views, challenging ascents and decents of 1000m+ every day, walking through three countries, flower filled meadows, beautiful wildlife and of course guiding with  great company with folk from all corners of the world. Some people in the Chamonix area have been commenting on the 'unsettled weather' to the start of the trekking season, well of  the 20 days that we have been wandering in it has nearly always been was sunshine and great views. Of course the odd shower, snowfall, cloudy and cooler conditions as ever, why else are The Alps  so green! Our trek covers the most beautiful and challenging days of the TMB, cramming 7 days of great hiking into a 10 day holiday. We carry everything on our backs with no baggage transfers, we do all the high level alternatives and one rest day in lovely Dollone (Courmayeur). Circuit number 35 coming up at the end of the month!

BACK HOME TO THE HEAT AND BIKING UP CAIRN GORM

The last couple of days out in The Alps and the team were hit by cooler conditions, rain, snowfall and cloudy conditions on the cols. A very unsettled spell over a lot of Europe. In marked contrast we are enjoying beautiful clear skies and hot sunshine back home in The Highlands. I had a good blast up Cairn Gorm on the bike today. From the house to the summit it was a reasonable 2 hours and 25 minutes ascent. Quite a bit quicker on the descent! There was a nice breeze but this didn't make any difference to the heat on my face and in my legs :) . Another hot day tomorrow too.

SUNNY ALPINE VIEWS AGAIN AT BONATTI

We woke to a beautiful clear sky at the Bonatti Refugio this morning. The team were soon out of their beds for the fantastic light on The Grandes Jorrasses south face. After many photo sessions we set off to Switzerland via the Col de Grand Ferret. An easier day for the group and as we rolled into La Fouly we beat the rain which had been threatening since early afternoon, very satisfying!

MONTE DE LA SAXE

Overnight rain finished just as we set out of Courmayeur And the cloud lifted. So a nice day for the finest day on the TMB: Monte de LA Saxe ridge over to Refugio Bonatti. After obligatory morning coffee at the Refugio Bertone it was up onto the long ridge leading to the summit of Tete de La Trenche at 2584m. All the way along this high level promonade are superb views to Mont Blanc & Grandes Jorasses. Along the route is only one area where that iconic flower of the Alps is found, Eidelweiss and it as only just come into flower. Land of Marmottes before the final leg to the excellent Refugio Bonatti. 

PERFECT WEATHER INTO ITALY

The team enjoyed clear skies and hot sun over the Col de La Seigne into Italy today. After lunch the best part of the day is in store - ascending another 600m onto the high level traverse above Val Vany. Why most groups opt for the low level road alternative into Courmayeur is beyond me as this is one of the highlights on the TMB. Well actually I do know why most folk don't attempt it - it's a 10 hour day from Les Chapieux but with stunning views and a rest day in Courmayeur its well worth it.

DAY 2, SCOTTISH WEATHER

A misty, drizzly and cool day. Just like home really. We were in and out of cloud across the Col de Bonnhome to Croix du Col de Bonhomme. Welcome warmth and lunch at the refuge which always serves up massive plates of food.

TMB2; BELLVUE - LES CONTAMINES

Second TMB circuit with new group from Canada, USA & Australia. Despite an unsettled weather forecast for the whole week, today we set off on day one and had sun all the way with hot temperatures. The first day always feels tough for groups over the Col Tricot and Col de Truic.