LEDGE ROUTE, BEN NEVIS

It was a bit of a damp day on The Ben for my group today but we headed up to out objective anyway-Ledge Route. Even in the gloomiest of weather it is still fab scenery and always interesting. The light rain did disappear and we had a quiet ascent with no one else on the route. This was Giulia and Mark's first mountain, they are from Malta and their highest hill is 400m! They were informing me that they have a friend who as just become the first Maltese person to summit Everest, great stuff. WE made our way down the zig-zags by mid afternoon, watching several 'light weight' (ie no rucsac, waterproofs or any form of extra clothing) folk still heading up the hill, just as an hefty shower came in. It then rained all the way back to the carpark and the cloud lowered to about 200m at times.

LEDGE ROUTE AND CMD ARETE, BEN NEVIS

Back on The Ben and today I was with Mike who's wife had bought him a guided walk on Ben Nevis for his Birthday gift. After some early morning rain and very low cloud, the rain eased off and the clouds slowly started to lift by the time we reached the CIC  hut. We scrambled up Ledge Route, there were only two other folk just behind us on this classic scramble on The Ben. We were well sheltered from the strong SW winds, the views opened up by the time we got onto the plateau. We quickly got to the summit and then just as quickly escaped the crowds and many wheelchairs on the Pony track today then down onto the CMD arete where peace and quiet resumed. The cloud had by now well cleared the tops and we had a nice traverse along the ridge with fine views and some buffeting from the stiff breeze. The sun finally came through on the decent and it was quite warm compared to the rather chilly and damp morning. Mike and I were round in a very fast time of under 8 hours today, well done to him.

SGURR GUIBHSACHAIN

Final day of walking for my group of 8 on their week long trip. We split into two groups today with Lynn and Dave the volunteers for an hill day whilst the rest of the group had an low level walk around Loch Shiel near Glenfinnan. We had a beautiful sunny and warm morning up on Sgurr Guibhsachain, this is the fabulous looking peak which rises from the south shore of Loch Shiel and the backdrop to the Glenfinnan Monument. Another day of really clear air before the next weather front came in and some light rain by the late afternoon.

SKYE, GLEN SLIGACHAN

A very nice day on Skye. We walked through the beautiful Glen Sligachan from Kilmarie to the Sligachan Hotel. Glorious views and warm sun. Just got a shower the final 30 minutes.

OVER TO SKYE

A rather dreich day today but the weather improved by the late afternoon and Skye beckoning for tomorrow. This is the view from Erbusaig near Kyle of Lochalsh. A rather nice spot to stay looking out to the Cuillin.

CAIRNGORMS

This week I'm guiding in the Cairngorms, Skye and back in Lochaber. With an large proportion of folk from the USA we had a short afternoons walk yesterday along the Speyside way to warm up. The weather has been quite nice, sunny and very clear air, not too warm so perfect. Today the group of 8 had a wander up onto the Cairngorm plateau with a tour of the Northern Corries, up onto Cairn Lochain and Stob Corrie a Sneachda. There was a few folk enjoying the climb on Savage Slit as we passed over the Cairn Lochain summit, getting a grandstand view. Quite a few folk out walking too, at last enjoying some sunny skies and great views.

GLENFINNAN

Final day for the group on their tour of The Highlands. Thankfully another dry day and even a glimpse or two of the sun. We went to Glenfinnan today and had a walk up the glen itself which was marred by the ugly new hydro electric access track which has been bulldozed up the beautiful glen, what a shame. Then after lunch we had a nice walk along Loch Shiel.

ANOTHER DRY DAY

                                

After yesterdays rain we were treated to dry weather today and the tops of the mountains on Skye were clear. Only time for a short coastal walk today before heading back to Lochaber. 

THE OLD MAN OF STORR

A very wet and low cloud day on Skye. We eventually settled on a short day of getting soaked rather than a longer day of getting soaked and went up to the remarkable pinnacle of The Old Man of Storr. He was looking very grumpy and moody today. 

SKYE

I'm working for Walkabout Scotland this week, a tour of the Highlands using public transport. After a rather soggy couple of days in The Cairngorms my group of 7 intrepid Highland adventurers got a nice dry day. We had an afternoon stroll from Torrin to Suishnish which gives grand views out to sea and of Bla- Bheinn. 

BEN LOMOND

Today I've been down in the deepest south of The Highlands, Ben Lomond. I was guiding the Wheeler family from the USA, four adults and their children. We had a very nice day on the most southerly Munro. The weather was fine, sunshine in the morning and some high level cloud by mid afternoon. We just got back to the carpark at Rowardenen when a few spots of rain started, how satisfying is that?
Off on a weeks guiding tomorrow, Cairngorms, Skye then back in Lochaber.
Photos to come when I find the cable thingy!

EAST RIDGE CARN DEARG MEADHONACH

Another stunning summers day in Lochaber with hot sun, light breeze and clear summits. Today I headed round to the quiet Allt Daim from the Allt a' Mhuillin which was a bit rough and damp but I saved myself 11 quid in the Gondola fare. I was on the East Ridge of Carn Dearg Meadhoach today which I have climbed several times in winter but never in summer. I saw no one all the way along the beautiful 'sharks finned' ridge. It's a longish approach but in a beautiful glen with great scenery. There is quite a bit of loose rock so there's a need to be delicate with the scrambling. The only other being I saw was a pair of ptarmigan just above my hands! Great views at the top and only a few minutes up to Carn Mor Dearg. On the way down I bumped into Jeff and Andy, two clients who were on a winter course with me in January when we did the CMD arete on a cracking day, small world! Forecasts not looking too bad now (changed again!) Tomorrow is wet but Friday looking a nice day.