A TAD WET AND A BIT BREEZY

It was a bit damp and breezy today on the west coast.  I was out with the 2nd year students from Lochaber College  here in Fort William on their  Adventure Tourism management BA course.  We were concentrating on core hill skills today including navigation, personal movement on rough ground and most importantly,especially in today's conditions, having the right kit and keeping water tight! We went through various navigation skills on the featureless ground on  Meall Bhanabhie which stands at the dizzy heights of 327  metres. Nice views from the summit as we  enjoyed some drier and sunny periods in the afternoon.

SW BUTTRESS, MEALL AN T-SUIDHE

Another day of showers and limited sunny spells. The winds were increasing as the day wore on so I decided on a short, lower altitude hill day but with a scramble thrown in. The south side of Meall an t-Suidhe has three rocky buttress's and two of these give some easy, broken scrambles. I headed up the right hand of these, just as an heavy shower came in. For those who enjoy nice clean rock for their scrambles then maybe this isn't for you! The route starts up a wet, slimy gully then onto steep heathery slopes eventually getting to the foot of the broken buttress where the main scrambling begins. There is quite a bit of lichen on the rocks which was a bit slippery today in the showery weather and half way up the route the wind increased, all good stuff to keep you concentrating. I wonder if there is a scrambling grade system for steep heather too? A nice half day out and feeling remote despite The Ben path directly below. The Ben seemed quiet today, a nice change.

SUNSHINE AND SHOWERS

It's been a weekend of showers and sunshine and if you timed it right the views have been stunning in the Autumn colours and clarity of light. Yesterday started very wet and very low cloud but there was beautiful late afternoon and evening sunshine. Today on Ledge Route I timed it nicely, leaving late morning and capturing the hour or so of sunshine whilst on the most spectacular sections. It's also been quieter on the hills so peace and views have been great to savour. Looks like next week is another 'changeable' week, another week of day by day 'looking out the window' forecasting then?

SUMMER RETURNS FOR A DAY

Final day of walking for the multi-international group on their week long trip in The Highlands. Today was an absolute cracker. Beautiful  clear skies, no wind and warm sun by late morning. Stunning scenery as we walked up the Allt a' Mhuillin to the CIC Hut then over to the Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe and finally back down to the Ben Nevis Inn for a welcome cool beer. It felt like summer had returned to the hills today.

SKYE

It was a showery and blustery day on Skye for us today. We had travelled over from the east yesterday in dreich weather but today it was a fine bright start. We had a lovely walk through Glen Sligachan from Kilmarie to the Slig Hotel. This classic low level walk runs through the heart of the mountainous area of Skye, dissecting the Red and Black Cuillin mountain's with ever changing views. The colours are beginning to look the lovely autumnal hue.

CALM (ISH) IN THE CAIRNGORMS

While the SW Highlands were facing gales at sea level with heavy prolonged rain we were enjoying some sunshine in The Cairngorms today. Today my group of  11 from various countries  headed out from Coire Cas carpark and we had a nice wander into Coire an Sneachda in The Northern Corries. There were a few showers and a stiff SW breeze but we had fine views as the clouds lifted off the summits to reveal the crags. We headed back down to the cafe at the carpark then continued down to Loch Morlich via the excellent new  footpath which passes through beautiful river and forest terrain. Nice to see the resident reindeer grazing today, as always posing nicely for photos.

THE RING OF STEAL

After yesterdays miserable, wet day today was a beautiful sunny and warm affair with excellent views. I took a trip round The Ring of Steal in the Mamores. This classic horseshoe circuit of several summits with four Munros gives a fine hillwalking day with the odd easy scrambling here and there. The Devils Ridge and An Garbhanach are the highlights of the walk with narrow ridges and wonderful views. There is a definite tint of Autumn on the hills now with the grass a beautiful golden colour in certain areas and crowberries, billberries in fruit. The descent down from An Garbhanach provides one of the most wonderful descent paths in the Highlands, a cracking stalkers path with beautiful views of Ben and Glen Nevis.

LEDGE ROUTE & CMD ARETE

A fine day again so I had a quick wander up ledge Route and back down the CMD arete. Lovely and peaceful with no one around until that final 5 mins to the summit. The cloud was above the tops and some late afternoon glimpses of sunshine. A definite feel of Autumn on the summit area with a chill in the air. Photos to come, still no Internet connection but normal photo service will be resumed very soon.