It was properly cold on the Ben today. I was colder than on my recent trip to the South Pole! However the summit views (link to video) were simply stunning and des... more>
The strong team of Nevis regulars, Blair Fyffe and Iain Small are no strangers to creating quality, hard new mixed routes on Ben Nevis and they have been at it again.
'The Past is Close Behind', 250m VIII,8 takes the large wall, untill now devoid of routes, between 'The Shroud' and 'Kellet's North Wall Route'.
In a long day the pair climbed the 6 pitch route finishing the last tw... more>
From the icy Allt a Mhuillin just after dawn, Fort William looked like an Arctic town set against a frosty background, more like the Canadian West Coast than the West Highlands today.
It was another big day on the Ben with teams venturing on to the Orion Face and into the Minus Gullies. Many teams were out on the Ridges too with North East Buttress, Tower and Castle all getting climbed... more>
We arrived at Altnafeadh just after the dawn. The temperature was -9C with thick snow at the roadside. The view was stunning. No time to look at it today though, we were on a mission!
Tom and James are off to Chamonix in the summer, so today was about getting the feel for a longer mountaineering route and maintaining a good pace and momentum similar to the pace given as the 'holy grail... more>
Dawn revealed a thick carpet of snow on the roads and gardens of Fort William this morning and, for most, plan A's were scrapped for less snowy options.
Despite the large cornices and major accumulations of fresh snow on the East Face of Aonach Mor, James, Tom and I used a little local knowledge and an approach from the top of the crag to find a safe spot to climb. Most easier angled... more>
The big freeze continues in the Scottish Highlands with freezing levels and snow lines close to sea level. With considerable or High avalanche hazards in the bigger hills Tom, James and I headed down South to enjoy some great ice climbing sport at Beinn Udlaidh.
We climbed 4 pitches of grade III & IV ice and did two full 60m abseils (one of them on to more>
Tom and James are planning a trip to Chamonix in the summer and have come to the Scottish Highlands to improve their ice climbing and winter mountaineering skills. We walked through the rain and into the snow on Ben Nevis today with constant heavy snow showers down to 450m
The short cascade style pitches above the CIC Hut and in the Coire na Cist 'gulches' gave some great sport and ice... more>
We headed East today to check out the amazing snow and ice conditions reported in the Northern Cairngorms. Passing a packed Creag Meagaidh car park at 0700 this morning and onto the busy February half term weekend up at the Cairngorm ski area, currently offering superb skiing. The snow cover up on the plateau was, indeed, amazing! Barely a rock in sight. Perfect touring conditions. Unfortuna... more>
It's always a promising start to a days winter climbing when the turf in the garden is frozen solid and the car windows caked in ice. It was -1C at Sea Level in Fort William and -4.5C in the lively, but not mentally busy, car park for Beinn Udlaidh at 0830 this morning.
The crag was in good, not amazing, but decent shape with various complete lines in the grade III-V range. With lots o... more>
Due to a last minute cancellation we now have 5 days winter mountaineering or climbing guiding available from Sunday 21st to Thursday 25th March.
We also have availablity from and including the weekend of the 20th/21st March.
Considering the brilliant winter conditions we currently have here in the West Highlands there could be some superb late winter / early spring ice climbing... more>
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