Friday 30 August 2013

lack of co-ordination

Maybe if we combine all 4, we will get a good photo.

Attempt #1:



Attempt #2:


Attempt #3:


Most people head to the coast to climb, not us.  Today we spent all day trying (and failing) to jump!

Thursday 29 August 2013

not worth the walk in

In the SMC Journal (2010), in the new route section, there is a route called Fluted Buttress, 150m Severe **.  We were sold by the 2 stars.


We were obviously off route because unlike the promised "surprisingly clean and solid rock", we found nothing but minging loose rock - with the exception of the final 20 metres.


Judging by the amount of booty that we collected on the route, we were obviously the first people to climb this line since last winter.  

Win some, lose some ...

Sunday 25 August 2013

blatant blasphemy

There is a munro called Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich, but since I can't pronounce that, I call it Cheesecake.  We didn't climb the Cheesecake today.


There is a corbett called Leum Uilleim, but since I can't pronounce that either, I will call it Linoleum.  We did climb the Linoleum today.


What we weren't prepared for today was the breathtaking views that this little hill provides.  Perhaps the most under rated hill that I have climbed so far.


It is also possible to climb Linoleum, via the little horseshoe circuit, by catching the 1215 train from Tulloch and getting back on the 1521 train from Corrour.  This included time for a pot of tea for Heather which came as a complete bonus.

Thursday 22 August 2013

it's not the north face of the eiger but ...

This summer, the alpine trip was on/off numerous times and then with a family bereavement it was most definitely off.  However, as we drove south to the borders for a week of biking and bagging both Allisons and Corbetts, it only took one text from a Catrin, who was now billy-no-mates in the Alps, to make the van suddenly swerve off the A9 to find the nearest internet signal.


30 minutes later we were booked onto flights and the van was heading North.


I have never really seen the point of short Alpine hits before but after a week of dashing around the hills, I could be slowly converted.


Excluding the flights, the mini break cost a grand total of £135.00 each, which included only the finest accommodation, travel expenses and food.  What is even more impressive, is that this was all in Switzerland with a crap exchange rate.


Catrin wasn't sick when we went above 4000m, Derek managed to get some big training days in and Di managed to scare herself stupid on ridiculously easy angle granite slabs.


The Alps - love it :)


Thursday 8 August 2013

Ben Nevis Trilogy +2

Today, I finally said goodbye to the dirty thirties and welcomed the naughty forties with open arms.

Now, I would assume that most people reaching this special day would like to celebrate in style, and I am pretty sure that if I really wanted to go to Vegas for my 40th, by hook or by crook Derek would have got me there.

However, not really being a city girl - lets be honest I have to take a deep breath when I head further south than Perth - Vegas was never really on the cards.

So, what does the mountain girl want to do on her 40th?

Have a ponder:


Up North East Buttress:


Down Tower Ridge:


Up Observatory Ridge and down Ledge Route:


Up Castle Ridge and back down Ledge Route.


Without doubt a day to remember :)


Thursday 1 August 2013

wet west

You know its bad when you unload the van and put everything into the washing machine.  If I could have fitted, I would have put me in too.