Some call it professional development, some call it playing. Either way, this weekend was a great opportunity for me to learn some new skills in sea kayaks. The 3 star training course was held over 2 days, and based on Anglesey which is a favourite venue for sea kayakers due to the combination of its stunning scenery and complex tidal systems. After a very uninspiring start … Read More »
Category Archives: Personal
Nesscliffe Abseil
This morning was spent looking at different ways of setting up the big abseil at Nesscliffe. It has become one of the better known abseils for many miles due to it's size (approximately 45m) and impressive views across to the Breidden Hills, but one which I haven't spent much time working on in the past. However, with plans to make more frequent use of this … Read More »
Gullies on the Buachaile
Knowing I had an 7 hour drive home ahead of me to get home, we made an early start to our day on Buachaille Etive Mor. With a short walk in from the road, this is a great place to gain altitude and get in the snow quickly. At lower levels the snow was well consolidated, through freeze thaw, and it was surprising how soon … Read More »
Carn Mor Dearg via Coire Leis
I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to get up Carn Mor Dearg for years, and every time I’ve tried to go up the back of Coire Leis (at the side of Ben Nevis) I’ve had to back off due to the poor snowpack stability. So to do both today was a real treat! We encountered a lot of blue ice at the base of the main … Read More »
A Stroll in the Mamores
After yesterday’s epic, Ally and I planned a shorter day’s walking and headed for the Mamores. Having parked above Kinlochleven, we had intended to go up Na Gruagaichean but, seeing a large Plas y Brenin group heading that way, we rapidly changed plan to get a bit of space from the crowd. Instead, we made our way up Sgurr an Iubhair, whose final ridge to the … Read More »
Aonach Eagach Ridge
Last night was spent travelling up to the Scottish Highlands, ready for a couple of days winter mountaineering. I didn’t arrive till 2.20am, so it was a bit of a shock the system getting up early for a decent day on the hill, but it turned out to be well worth it. I’ve come to spend a few days with Ally who, like me, is gradually … Read More »
Happy Birthday Alfie!
One of my boys turned 12 on Tuesday and, for his birthday party, he asked me take him and a few friends to the Adventure Rope Course in Shrewsbury. They competed to see who could get the highest on the Crate Stake, before plucking up the courage to pull the quick release on the Giant Swing. The Tunnels are always a favorite, and having exited at … Read More »