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