Saturday 8 November 2014

Exped with ACOLs, climbing with Ruairidh

Wednesday and thursday I was out traversing Strath Ossian from the west end of Loch Lagan on a walking exped with the ACOL students from West Highland College. Day 1 they put the foot down and in a short day we stormed along into the rain and gales all the way to the west end of Loch Ossian. Day 2 was a little finer but with the odd minor injury they decided on a gentle day and some navigation training. I left them that night at Craiguineach Lodge on Loch Treig and did a quick handover in the dark to Jamie on my way to Corrour for the last train home.
I had to come home to do some work today with Ruairidh a long term client with climbing and mountaineering aspirations. Today was about assessing his current climbing knowledge and we soaked up some sun at Kingussie giving him an opportunity to follow me up a few routes and to lead a couple of easy routes too.
Looking across to the Cairngorms we could see how much the midweek snow had receded but on the drive home I was impressed with just how snowy the East Ridge of Carn Dearg Meadhonach looked.
 Before
 'Inflatable rucksack?'
 Strath Ossian
 Loch Ossian Camp
 Good morning
 Walking on water?
 Day 2
 Stump
 End of day 2
 Loch Treig Camp
 Ruairidh at Kingussie
 Placing gear
 On the lead
 Belaying
 The slab
Blurry, snowy shot from the car

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