Catching up.

A couple of weeks since my return from Greenland- more on that in an imminent blog post- and its been a whirlwind of activity. After a few days hiding with my family I was home to a training day for the Nevis Landscape Partnership's 2015 Ben Nevis Survey and then I had a weekend working with Gordon and Lena prepping for their upcoming MIA Assessments:

Parallel Ropework on Pinnacle Ridge

Next it was into the 5 day survey with lots of guddling round vegetated and loose parts of Ben Nevis, learning more about the geology and botany on our way- we even had a sunny day this year!

Ben Nevis on a fine day

Lots of pics and write ups:
https://www.facebook.com/alan.halewood/media_set?set=a.10153091747322081.1073741883.575622080&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/climbwhenyoureready.mountaineering/media_set?set=a.939523762757408.1073741975.100000993792059&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/climbwhenyoureready.mountaineering/media_set?set=a.939528452756939.1073741976.100000993792059&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/climbwhenyoureready.mountaineering/media_set?set=a.940041266038991.1073741977.100000993792059&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/climbwhenyoureready.mountaineering/media_set?set=a.940042589372192.1073741978.100000993792059&type=3

After this I was at Glenmore Lodge working on an MIA Assessment with 4 candidates who all performed strongly at points throughout the week. Monday was a grand day in the Loch Avon Basin climbing Whispers (VS) and Mack's Dilemma- sunny day. Tuesday we were in Glen Nevis for problem solving on Resurrection (VS), Damnation (VS), Repton's Right Hand Route (VDiff) and Cross III (Diff)- hot, sunny and sweaty. Wednesday teams were at Cummingston, Polldubh and I was at Kingussie watching novices being taught to climb- more sunshine. Thursday was a mountain day in Glencoe; up the most interesting line on Dinnertime Buttress and the lines above, over Stob Coire nan Lochan and down the Zig Zags- grey, windy and cloudy but dry. And on Friday it was teaching navigation near Castle Hill and Lurchers Crag- blowing a gale and the waterproof finally went on in a very heavy shower 45 minutes from the end of the Assessment. Almost a completely dry week!

Mack's Dilemma 

Damnation

Classic Crack

 Dinnertime Buttress

I was due to be working this weekend but I'm going to enjoy a chance to catch up and prep for mountaineering and climbing work on Ben Nevis and Glencoe and a Foundation Coach Training in Edinburgh.