LONG WAY SHOPPING

It was another rather cloudy and poor visability day on Tarmachan ridge. Combined it with an expedition to the local shops in Killin, descending through neck high bracken at the end of Creag na Caillich. Better route to do in Winter! Still a few flowers about, including Grass of Parnassus.

WEST AGAIN

Peter, Ian, Bill & I were over on the West coast today. We had a wee scramble up on Sgorr Dearg's NE ridge, Beinn a' Bheithir. The weather was abit dull but with a high cloudbase. High pressure doesn't always mean blue skies!

SUNNY BEN NEVIS

Beautiful weather on The Ben today. There was a temperature inversion this morning withe the cloud top at 200m. The N airflow ment wonderful clarity. For Joan and David this was their first hillwalk in Scotland and they were treated to a glorious day. This was Joan's Birthday present by her family, her next trip is Everest Base Camp Trek!

There was a few parties on Tower Ridge enjoying the fine weather.

The high pressure is set to continue for the rest of the week in the Highlands.

MISTY ARDGOUR

Today was a slightly better day, dry but unfortunately very low cloud on The Ardgour peninsular. Hazel, Laurence and I were on Druim na Sgriodain which is the prominant hill overlooking the Corran Straits. We were hoping for great views over to Ben Nevis and the West coast. Instead we had a good day of navigation on the pathless terrain.

WET AND MISTY BEN

It was a shock to the body and senses today as I stood on the summit of Ben Nevis after 3 months in The Warm and sunny Alps. I was marshalling/guiding for a group on their three peaks challange. Setting off at 4.30am it was constant drizzle all day, cloudbase 600m and a mild SW. Lovely! Not a day for pictures! On the plus side I did see the Ben with no other folk on, a rare sight.

BACK IN THE HIGHLANDS

Back home in Killin after three months working in The Alps. A superb Summer, very settled in The Valais and even Bernese Oberland had glorious Summer weather. Here are some Alpine pictures to brighten up the rather damp and miserable weather here in The Highlands at the moment.

A FEW MORE ALPINE SCENES

Just a few more recent images from The Alps. Weather is set to continue to be fine. Nothing more to be said really!

A LETTER FROM THE ALPS

It's superb weather here in the Valais with high temps, blue skies and settled conditions. I've been leading groups on The Tour of The Matterhron circuit which as a great variety of scenery and terrain through out the eight day tour.

ALPINE SUMMER

I will be away working in The Alps from 11th June until 12th September 2008.

For all enquiries and bookings please email me at:

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk

ALPINE FLOWERED MOUNTAINS

It was a very pleasent day and once again no rain here in the Southern Highlands. There was a refreshing and welcome strong Westerly on the tops today. I was in the Cam Chreag area of the Tarmachans and looking at the wonderful array of Alpine flowers on the crags and gullies. Amongst the multitude of plants and flowers were: Common Rock Rose, Rose Root, Moss Campion, Starry Saxifrage, Mossy Saxifrage, Cloudberry, Mountain Sorrel and Wood Sorrel. Of particular interest and not at all common is Rock Cress and Alpine Mouse ear. The summit block on Meall garbh is cloaked in moss campion and rock cress.

All this Alpine stuff leads nicely into saying farewell to The Scottish Mountains for a couple of months as I am working in The Alps untill Mid September.

All enquiries please email me at:

gary@tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk

NOT ANOTHER SUNNY DAY!

It was yet another fabulous sunny and very warm day after some early high cloud in The Highlands. Lo and I were on the four Munro's North of Glen Lyon today. We did some navigation training and were also treated to Golden Plover and Ptarmigan on the traverse of the hills. We also saw lots of Moss Campion, Mountain Pansies and Trailing Azalia has just started flowering.

THE BEN, AGAIN

Another marshalling/guiding event again on The Ben today. It was quite pleasent being a Friday as not so many folk on the hill. Very warm again but thankfully a nice breeze higher up. Last group off didn't get down till 10pm so we enjoyed lovely views out to the West as the sun went down.

MOUNTAIN OF PANSIES

Another superb sunny and very warm day here in The Highlands. A nice breeze too so not a midge in sight. Peter and I went up the South ridge of Carn Gorm in Glen Lyon. The highlight of the walk was the amazing amount of mountain pansies from about 450m right up to 850m. There were also carpets of Moss Campion all over the hillside. We saw no one all day as this is not a Munro baggers usual route. Other flowers and plants of note were heath spotted orchid, cyphal, mountain everlasting, yellow saxifrage and thyme

HIGH ALTITUDE MIDGES!

A low level of cloud today on the mountins.

Ian, Don and myself went over to Beinn Chreachan near Bridge of Orchy. It was very warm, no wind, perfect for midges. The midges were up to 850m!