Chris, Donnie and I went to Tower Ridge today. The forecast was pretty poor but we got away with a dry approach and it was only at the Little Tower that things really got wet. The summit area was crowded with people wearing bermuda shorts and plastic bags, many of whom were wandering around like zombies, cold, wet and with those on the path up no idea how far the summit was. We're off to Skye tonight - we'll see what the weather brings tomorrow.
This weekend I've been on Skye with Ian, Clive and Neil attempting a Cuillin Ridge traverse. The weather turned out much worse than expected but the guys were very game and after 12 and a half hours we had gone from Glen Brittle to Gars Bheinn to Bealach da Bannachdich where we spent the night dry and warm in our bivvy despite the rain. Unfortunately it was as wet and unpleasant this morning. We persevered over Sgurr na Bannachdich, Sgur Thormaid and Sgurr a Greadhaidh to An Dorus before calling it a day. The guys had given well over 100% effort on one of the UK mountains great challenges in truely cack conditions. The picture of Ian's boot shows what happens when you use normal soap to clean boots before a really wet day. The very short video shows Clive's eternal optimism in the face of really heavy rain!
Today the promised heavy showers failed to materialise as anything more than a few droplets on Ben Nevis. This was great for returning client Will and I. Last year he kept up a cracking pace on Tower Ridge so this year we upped the ante a little and went to North East Buttress approaching the first platform by Raeburn's 18 minute Route. After lunch on the summit we came down by the Carn Mor Dearg Arete- all pretty much in the dry!
Karl, Guy and I travelled to Latheronwheel in Caithness today. These sandstone single pitch cliffs offer excellent steep climbing on rock that looks a little like Cummingston but is much more solid and without the sandy top out. As we arrived a heavy shower soaked us and the crags but the weather improved and we all managed 11 routes between Severe and E2. The swell also meant that we all got a soaking and finally my expedpition wasred arms (my thighs are in great shape:-) gave out on resulting in a nice wee leader fall from the last move of the last route! A great day's climbing and a grand venue. There are still a few nesting birds near the flat wall area but around the stack where we climbed there were none to disturb. Easier climbing on the Ben tomorrow - work for those legs :-)
Today I was up on Skye in preparation for some work there later next week. The forecast was supposed to clear up but I headed from the Glen Brittle Memorial hut in pretty heavy rain and by Coire na Bannachdich it was only getting worse. I persevered on over Bannachdich, Greadhaidh (no view but the best it had been all day, see first pic), Mhadaidh (brief view, second pic), its 4 tops, Bidian Druim nan Ramh (better view near last top, third pic) and - of course - as I was nearing the Sligachan (descended Fionn Coire from just past Bruach na Frithe) the ridge cleared off completely!
The heavy early showers gave away to brighter weather so I nipped out for short a late evening cragging session with Pete Duggan. We went to Scimitar Buttress and climbed the traditional weirdness of Nutcracker Chimney before the steep honest Diagonal and I made a quick solo of Wanderlust.
Another showery morning but I cycled to Polldubh and soloed Pinnacle Ridge, Styx Buttress RH and The Gutter all of which dry very quickly and did a little bouldering too. This afternoon it was back to The Ice Factor for some more staff training. This time on the High ropes course looking at equipment and problem-solving.