CWA Day 2

Day 2 of our CWA today and we visited Bunkhouse Bouldering as our second wall. Alan had been hard at work with his Benky Grip Wash cleaning his holds (they looked brand new). We had a look at just how much you can get out of a small bouldering wall. A big highlight was 'Climbing Golf' (see Paul Smith's Climbing Games if you haven't already got a copy). Then we returned to The Ice Factor to look at simple problem solving and avoidance, some more bouldering and peer belaying issues and more games.

I got home in time to pick some brambles with wee Sandy and then knock some apples off of our tree.... I feel a crumble coming on- it is definitely autumn now with snow on Ben Nevis, the Aonachs and the Cairngorm Plateau.

UHI at Polldubh

Today Tristan, Rich and I went to Glen Nevis with the students of UHI West Highland College . With 12 first year students and assisted by 2 third years and a second year we managed to ensure that each student completed a 2 pitch climb and an abseil to retreat. We also looked in more detail at gear placement, abseiling with a prussik loop and belay construction. Despite early showers the climbing wasn't too bad- rock drying in the afternoon and no midges.

Afghan Video Part 2 (1 more part to come)

Here is the second instalment of my Videos of the Afghan trip. It covers from our arrival at Kasch Goz (the 'capital' of the Little Pamir) through our time climbing in the Pamir i Wakhan and our return to Kasch Goz to arrange animals for our trek out.

Scottish Afghanistan Expedition 2010- Part 2 Climbing in the Pamirs from Alan Halewood on Vimeo.

I also got a really nice email from Vern and Helen who I was out with the last week for 3 days:
http://alanhalewood.blogspot.com/2010/09/buachaille-etive-mor.html
http://alanhalewood.blogspot.com/2010/09/dry-with-gales-in-glen-nevis.html
http://alanhalewood.blogspot.com/2010/09/wetter-today.html
It's always satisfying to get good feedback and know you've made folk happy- even when the weather was challenging.
"We would both like to thank you for our course last week as we feel that apart from being a great experience, your positive approach and style of coaching was just what we wanted. I now feel ready to begin outdoors and Helen has benefited hughly from the short 3 days we spent with you. I wouldn`t hesitate to reccomend you as it was a great experience"

CWA and thinking of winter

Yesterday I was running the first day of a Climbing Wall Award Training course based at The Ice Factor. It was raining heavily in Lochaber and the climbing centre was busy providing a good environment to look at what working and climbing in a noisy wall with many users is all about.

At the same time with a dusting of snow forecast on the highest tops tomorrow my thoughts are turning to winter. I've got almost 3 full weeks of courses booked already and some people are predicting another good cold one. Last year will take some beating- here is my video of 97 days of axes and crampons last year (there was a 98th day but i'd already made the video by then!). Hope it whets some appetites.

Winter 2009/2010 from Alan Halewood on Vimeo.

Glen Nevis Climbing

Today I went to Polldubh with Colin and Richard to help them progress to leading. After I led them up a greasey 3 Pines (MS 2 pitches) they proceeded to lead The Gutter (Diff in 2 pitches), Styx Buttress Right Wall (VDiff in 2 pitches) and Tear (HS, single pitch). They coped well with the midgey spells and the odd shower (the weather was unfortunately not quite as forecast- bright and breezey) and slightly damp rock.

Afghan Video part 1 and Sal's Blog

The first part of the video of our Afghan trip that I'm editing. First time I've uploaded to Vimeo... do people prefer it to Youtube?

Scottish Wakhan Expedition 2001- Part 1 Approach to the Pamirs from Alan Halewood on Vimeo.

Also take a read of this: http://www.planetfear.com/blog.php?id=254 With just a few days to go my mate Sal got roped into a team competing in the Adidas Terrex Adventure Race. 4 days and 400km of biking, running, paddling and other challenges through the Lake District in a team with 3 internationally experienced racers who had been preparing for months. Take a look at how well they got on (they came 3rd!). Inspiring stuff.

Tower Ridge bike and run

Bah.... think my body is still recovering for a month of bad food and exercise and a week and a half of post expedition illness. Cycled from Torlundy up to the dam car-park... fine. Headed up to the CIC at the same pace as usual.... fine. Got onto Tower Ridge (damn cold and windy) and legs powered out half way up. It took me a good deal longer than it usually does and the jog back down to the bike was no better. OK it still took me less than 4 hours back to the house but didn't feel at all strong.

Right, winge over, as a mate of mine would tell me 'best tuck my skirt in and get on with it'. A few more jaunts up Tower Ridge and I'll be feeling better.

Took a few pictures of the remaining snow patches round Observatory Gully for the Annual Snow Patch Survey- we'll see if the patches on the Ben last this year or not....