Its all go...

Canyoning the Bruar from Alan Halewood on Vimeo.

A busy week of CPD and work. On monday, tuesday and wednesday I was attending a Canyoning workshop arranged by Vertical Descents, hosted by Nae Limits and run by American Canyoning guru Rich Carlson. Rich is sort of the Yoda of the canyoneering (as its called in the States) with a tremendous amount of experience at home and working alongside various other Asscoiations in France, Spain and Australia to name but a few. The course provided a good introduction into the nature of techncial ropework involved in descending rocky swiftwater canyons.
Thursday night I was in Glasgow eating Neal's excellent roadkill pheasant, Friday was a day run to Kendal where the Climbing Wall were hosting a BMC Learning to Train workshop for coaches looking to teach specific movement techniques. After waiting for a crash to be cleared by police and fire services just south of Fort William I was home at 1 in the morning to start an SPA Training which ran yesterday and today.
Busy times!

Home to the cold

I'm back from a family bolt clipping trip from Mallorca. After the first day the weather was warm and sunny and although the crags were very busy we had a great time at the crags and on the beach. Being a die hard trad climber at heart I had to go to Sa Gubia to climb Albahida, a fine soaring ridge line in the hills.
Whilst I've been away of course the early winter scratching has begun with ascents of the Message and Savage Slit amongst others in the Cairngorms and Babylon on Ben Nevis. although the Ben still has a dusting on top this morning it will be warmer later this week I'm away for a bit of CPD.

Mallorca 2010 from Alan Halewood on Vimeo.

Gone climbing for the next week!

Off to Mallorca with a big team of friends and the kids. Enjoy the snow!

Gabbro is great.

Graham and I decided to ignore the forecast's predicted drizzle out west and went to Ardnamurchan today. Meall Fhir Eoin Beag is a great crag for 2 pitch routes of a wide variety of grades on perfect rough gabbro. We started off on 'Volcane' (E1 4c,5b) with me leading the upper pitch. Then Graham took us 'Up Pompeii. (E2 5b). Next I led a good first pitch of 'Return of the Jedi' (E2 5c) to the large ledge above the crux and Graham led up the last 4c pitch- been wanting to do this route for ages! And Graham finished off over on the dome shaped buttress just East of the main crag with 'Lava Lout' (E1 5b). It was grey all day with a strong cool breeze at times. However other than the odd spit of rain when we arrived it stayed dry. Happy days!

Rock climbing on the Ardnamurchan peninsula from Alan Halewood on Vimeo.

More sunshine on D Gully Buttress and Curved Ridge

Second day out with Nigel, Tracey and Matthew and with slightly weary legs today we opted to go to Buachaille Etive Mor. Matthew owns the excellent Guisachan Guesthouse in Fort William- well worth checking out if you are looking for accommodation.

Leaving Fort William today Loch Linnhe was shrouded in low cloud and mist but by the time we reached the Ballachullish Bridge we were out in the open sunshine again. This set the tone for another hot day. Nigel got the chance to put some of the ropework he had seen yesterday into practise leading the team up the lower section of D Gully Buttress. I took over for the upper section and we made rapid progress up the top part of Curved Ridge to our lunch spot and beyond to the summit. Another cracking day.

D Gully Buttress and Curved Ridge from Alan Halewood on Vimeo.

Tower Ridge again and Ledge Route, even hotter!

Today was the best weather day I've had in Scotland this year. I'd have been happy in shorts and t-shirt as Nigel, Tracey and Matthew and I climbed Tower Ridge. The rock was dry, the weather fine. We lingered for lunch on the Great Tower before putting on a show for those on the summit as we crossed the Gap. When we reached the top we decided the weather was too good to waste on the Pony Track so heaed down Ledge Route instead to the sound of the stag which had been baying below all day long, chasing off his rivals.

Hot on Tower Ridge and Ledge Route from Alan Halewood on Vimeo.

Glenuig

Catch the leaping toddler!

I haven't been to Glenuig since the day when Gill and I made the first ascent of the Forsay Burn last January. It was rather different today as we went with some other local families to the beach to paddle, swim and dig sandcastles. Sunshine and seaside weather!