On Thursday Emma and I went up Curved Ridge on the Buachaille to introduce her to mountaineering. Her aim is to climb Tower Ridge and as she only started climbing indoors within the last few weeks and is quite gripped at height and exposure, I thought Curved Ridge would be a good place to start. It was a cold, crisp day, there was even enough snow on the top for a quick snowball fight! We were followed up by one team and passed a couple of walkers on the decent. I think Emma is now ready for Tower Ridge so we'll try and get on it next week.

Last Wednesday Graham and I headed over to Ardnamurchan's Ring crags. The crags are composed of excellent, rough gabbro and have an excellent outlook towards Rhum and Skye. The crags looked wet from the distance but as we arrived the sun and cold wind had dried off the rock and it was perfect conditions. We climbed at Meall An Fhir-Eoin Beag which has a good spread of graded. We started off with Graham leading up Yir (VS 4c), I then led up Up-Pompeii (E2 5b) and Star Wars (E3 6a) and we finished off on Return of the Jedi (E2 5c) which Graham led up. Plenty to still go for in this area and always a good option when it is raining inland. Great day!

Yesterday, Barry and I went up Ben Nevis via Tower ridge. Barry had never summitted this peak and has never scrambled on such a route. The day had persistant rain, however it didnt dampen spirits, but it did crack the whip a little so we shot up the route and wandered off pretty quickly.

Yesterday I was working with Ben and Lorenzo up at Glen Nevis with 16 students from Forfar Academy. We split the group into two, half climbing at pinnacle and SW and the other half walking up to the wire bridge via Wave Buttress. After lunch the groups swapped over for each activity. I was with the walkers for both groups. As none of them have been walking beyond pavements, I introduced map work skills, basic navigation, we looked at group management, talked and practiced different walking techniques on different terrains, talked about the flora and about conservation and preservation of the beautiful Steall area. A very enjoyable day for all and not a drop of rain.

I have been based in North Wales for a few days with a colleague of mine, Lorenzo. We climbed in Llanberis Pass, Tremadog and Gogarth. Over the few days we were down we managed to tick off 9 routes, all multi-pitch. In the pass we climbed Spectre (HVS 5a), Sickle (HVS 5b), Brant Direct (HVS 5a) and Hangover (HVS 5b). Tremadog, we climbed Striptease (VS 5a), Shadrach (VS 4c), The Fang (HVS 5a) and Mashach (HVS 5b). At Gogarth, we climbed . . . . Gogarth (E1 5b), this was my first route on these cliffs and it was quality!

After a short break at home in The Lakes, I will be heading to Wales tomorrow for a week's climbing trip with Lorenzo. I have spent a couple of days at home seeing friends and family but also managed to fit in a bit of climbing. First of all I went bouldering up at a small venue near to my house, Cowraik Quarry, which has some good problems on red sandstone. I also spent a day at St Bee's both bouldering an trying out some of the sport routes, climbing 6 routes from F5 - F7a+. The crag classic Dreaming of Red Rocks is definitely worth a climb. Today I was out with Dave Pattinson and we ended up at Raven's in Langdale and climbed Holly Tree Direct (HVS 4c) and then we top roped the classic Trilogy (E5 6a). Whilst in Wales we will be camping so I will let you know how I got on when I get back next weekend.

Yesterday Graham and I walked up to the West Face of Aonach Dubh and climbed The Big top (E1 5a). On approach, some of the crag had several seepage lines, however the route was bone dry. Graham led up the first pitch after about 3 months out of action after a fall in the Lakes, and I led the next 3 pitches. Exposure was at maximum revs and the climbing was very entertaining. The descent down number 4 gully wasn't much fun and took a bit of time. The high pressure meant that it was warm up on the crag but it was breezy enough to keep the midgies and sweat away. I'm off down into England and Wales for a climbing trip. Who knows where I'll end up . . . .

Today Donald, Ewan and I headed East in search of dry rock. As it was showering most of the day we opted for a crag which was both overhanging and dry. We arrived at The Camel. At the crag we were joined by Blair Fyffe and Gaz who had been here before and Blair was working one of the harder routes after warming up on some of the easier ones. We started off on The Stone of Destiny F6c+, followed by Paralysis by Analysis F7a+, Inverarnie Schwarzenegger F7a and finished on Final Straw F7a. The crag is hard conglomerate which is quite exciting to climb on, it's like stones concreted onto the face, sometimes unsure if the pebble your pulling on is going to hold.