EARLY IGLOO ON MEAGAIDH

Another taste of winter today, Yvonne and I were up on Creag Meagaidh. It was definitely colder on the tops today and some compass work needed on the summit plateau getting across to the top of Stob Coire Puist Ardair in the cloud and lying snow. We were surprised to find a igloo ready made right at the summit. So we made use of the facilities and had a bite to eat out of the cold wind. The snow above 1000m was consolidating as the overnight temperatures had dropped to well below freezing. Saw flock of dozen ptarmigan as we headed down off the mountain. Looks like an excellent day tomorrow, enjoy the snow & sun!

WINTER ON BEN NEVIS

A superb day of sunshine and very wintry looking mountains here on the west coast. Overnight precipitation had put down more snow above 900m and there was even some ice in places. Ben Nevis is looking brilliant at the moment and some winter climbing to be had no doubt. I was on Carn Mor Dearg today where there is an excellent covering of snow. The North Face and top car park were deserted bar one car at the NF, this is an excellent time to be on the hills, while everyone else is Christmas shopping. I sat for an hour at the summit, basking in the sun & snow. On the way down the cloud came in from the east and shrouded the summit, well timed. Could be more snow tomorrow as a another band of rain passes through with snow on the highest tops.

WINTER?

A much cooler airflow last night and overnight precipitation put down a few cm of snow on the hills above 900m. It was a very pleasant day to be out on the hills, dry and bright with hardly a breeze on the tops. Although it wasn't clear skies there were superb broken spectres and a massive 'morning glory' on Sgurr a' Mhaim in the Mamores, quite spectacular though difficult to get a decent photo of it. Could this be the start of winter?

LONELY BENS & GLENS

I had a great bike ride into the wonderful, wild and lonely Glen Mallie-South of Loch Arkaig today. Cycle along the Caledonian Canal to Acnaharry and along Glen Mallie. Lovely pathless walk to the summit of 727m. Mullach Coire nan Geur-oirean, try pronouncing that one! Obviously a less frequented hill as not even a summit cairn. Lots of shielings in the glen below, a well inhabited area in the past. It was a overcast day but the weather fitted the occasion with lots of stags roaring in the glen below. Just got back to the bike and the rain came on. Weather looks much cooler and forecasting snow on the higher tops next week, winter not far away!

BIKING & HIKING IN THE MAMORES

A lovely, brief weather window today in between low pressure systems. It was a glorious sunny morning, complete contrast to yesterdays very wet day. I cycled up from The Fort along the West Highland Way and went up the fine South ridge of Stob Ban in the Mamores and continued along to Mullach nan Coirean. The cloud thickened in the afternoon but stayed above the tops. It was quite warm and summer like but with the glorious colours at the moment it looks very much Autumn, particularly as it's now getting dark at 5pm. Wet again Tuesday then another dry day is forecast for Wednesday.

JUST A BREEZE

Despite the dire weather forecast today, Sarah, Joanne and I didn't have to battle too much on The Ben. Wind speeds only topped about 50mph and we got a light soaking of rain, indeed we even had an hour of sunshine in the afternoon. It was the quietest Saturday on Ben Nevis for quite a while, surely folk aren't out Xmas shopping already?

GREAT AUTUMN COLOURS

Another beautiful day today, Autumn colours on the hills are very fine at the moment. Whilst most of the UK had rain and showers the West coast was bathed in warm sunshine all day. The drive down from Arisaig to Strontian is gorgous and I was up on Sgurr nan Cnamh, an unfrequented hill in Ardgour. The usual rugged terrain of bog and undulating terrain. Rewarded with a golden eagle at the summit.

SCRAMBLING AND SUNSETS ALONG THE COAST

Another very nice day at Arasaig. It was sunny and warm and just a few kilometres from our luxury cottage at Arasaig House are some fine beeches with lots of bouldering oppurtunities. Great sunset too. Our accomodation this week is superb for groups wanting some luxury accomodation at reasonable prices: http://www.arisaighouse-cottages.co.uk/

DOWN ON THE BEACH

Kim and I are up at Arisaig for a few days. A great part of the world, mountains, lochs and wonderful beaches. The weather forecast a few days ago was poor, we had a lovely day.

THE ALPS, MONTE VISO

Just back from a wonderful weeks trekking out in The Alps with Fred and Paul. We were out in a not so well known and little visited area in the Southern part of The Alps, Monte Viso and Chamberyon areas. These areas receive over 300 sunny days per year and we certainly got that with a full week of blue skies and warm sun. A lot of the area is made up of schist and limestone rock making for striking looking mountains with pinnacles and steep peaks. There are only a few very small glaciers so getting to the tops of most of the 3000m peaks aren't so technical and requiring no glacial crossings. Lots of chamois seen, Golden Eagle but the marmotts seemed to have gone underground and asleep for the winter. We were using the mountain refuges winter rooms which were very comfortable. Accommodation was thin on the ground in lower areas, the villages and even towns seemed to have closed down for the season, such a shame as this time of year is superb for getting out in these mountains.

Back home and we are now taking bookings for winter skills courses, already we have bookings in December and January.

Ben Nevis CMD arete

A beautiful day on the CMD arete with Brian and Fran, warm sun, autumn colours, fantastic. There was a fresh dusting of snow above 900m to give a 'wintery' feel.