This place is the business! Amazing routes, amazing setting. Just like the Islands but smaller. A 40 minute walk in saw us abseiling into the steep cliffs of Creag Rhoda Mor. This crag was only developed over the last few years and was kept a secret until most of the routes were climbed. We warmed up in the Bundished Walls on Mega Flake (E2 5c), huge jugs, good gear, wild position and slightly rattly rock at the top. We then climbed Rusty Buckets (E3 6a) – Do not warm up on this! So pumpy but a brilliant pitch with really cool finger pockets to yard up on. After the main wall dried up (gets a bit smeggy early on from the sea) we jumped on (My Own) Personal Mingulay (E4 6a) which was a fantastic route, really steep and with my wiltering forearms it was tiring. However as the climbing was so good we abseiled back in and Murdoch made a nice lead of Rodha Mor (E5 6a), another brilliant route which I fell off at the top with my elbows touching the sky and having a bone marrow pump! Day 3 – Feeling broken with non-functional arms.

Murdoch blending in on Rodha Mor

Murdoch in camoflage on Rodha Mor (E5 6a)

Day two of our NW climbing trip and Murdoch and I went to Reiff. I have never been here so we had a wee solo around warming up on some easy routes around the Pinnacle area then tied onto various routes of a 'must do' nature or stuff Murdoch hadn't done. We climbed Westering Home (E1 5b) and Channering Worm (E3 5c). We then went too the Bouldering Cliff and and climbed The Hand Traverse (HVS 5a) and Crack of Desire variation start (E4 6a) which was brilliant but scary at the start! After that we went over to the Stone Pig area and climbed Strongbow (E1 5b) and finished on Clatterbridge (E5 6b)! Absolutely nails route, its like climbing up a finger board and the holds get worse and worse as you move away from the gear. A great performance from Murdoch. Day 2 – very tired with sore arms.

Clatterbridge - Murdoch is a beast!

Cold on Strongbow

Murdoch on TMWTCIHE

So day one of 5 days climbing with Murdoch (Me trying hard). So a bit of a miss match in climbing abilities but hey ho, good to get a work out. We walked into the fantastic crag of DircMhor, above Dalwhinnie. The hour walk in lest us standing below the steep and intimidating micro-granite crag. The aim was he trilogy of E5's. We started off on the Fanfare of the Common Man (E5 6a) which we both found hard as our fingers were like Ice cubes. The crag is in a wee gorge and the wind just funnels through. After this we moved onto The Man with the Child in his Eyes (E5 6b). An outrageous route. It took Murdoch a wee while to climb the crux pitch so when it came to me to second it, I couldnt feel anything. I made good progress but unfortunately fell off near the top of the pitch. Finally we climbed The Scent of a Woman (E5 6b), well most of it. Unfortunately after the routes we had already done, we were both a wee bit tired (Murdoch mentally, me physically) so we bailed off onto Positive Earth and up to the abseil. A brilliant crag and worth the walk in, the other routes look good too. Day 1 – Quite tired with stiff arms

A nice restful day today and nice to be out of the rain. I was out with Michael, a keen outdoor walker from Chicago. I always thought that America had lots to offer in terms of wilderness, natural beauty and wilderness but judging by Michaels reaction to Glen Nevis and the Steall Gorge, it reminded me how unique and wonderful this place is. It reminded me how lucky I am to live in the area. I spent a lot of time in Glen Nevis over the years but not so much this year. The walk today has reminded me how amazing it really is.   Today I was working for West Coast Mountain Guides.

Today I was back out with Anne and Catherine for a nice jolly and maybe another peak. Unfortunately Anne was feeling unwell so headed back for tea and biscuits. We weren't jealous at all... So Catherine and I let hell break loose. With the intention of just doing one summit we cracked on in the rain and summited both SaM and SaG. The weather was abysmal, we were glad to get the Inn Pinn done yesterday. The terrain felt serious today as it was so slippy, we had the rope on throughout which also helped an inexperienced couple decide whether it was for them or not. Without a rope we all thought not. Each to their own, had they been experienced mountaineers then fine but after chatting with them, it was best they saved it for a nice day. Live to tell the tale again.  The last two days I have been working for Skye Guides.

Another hit on the Inn Pinn today, quite a day to remember. Probably the worst conditions I have done it in but one of the most rewarding Pinn days. I was out with Anne and Catherine, both who put up with the almost constant precipitation and driving winds. With two days in the bank for the summit I wanted to try hard today as tomorrow was looking no better. Fortunately the wind didn't affect us as we climbed the East ridge. The wind seemed to be coming from the west which we were able to tuck out of where it mattered. Wind suits were not needed. Anne and Catherine were delighted to reach the top in such foul weather, I was more delighted once we had our feet back on the ground. Well done to both of them, unfortunately I didn't have a camera today.

At last, I have got round to doing this!  Its been on the to-do list for quite a while!  Caroline was super keen to try it, as was I.  It was a perfect finale to her 4 days of adventurous mountaineering.  We made the full classic loop.  Over Sgurr nan Each, which should not be missed out, some fantastic scrambling there.  Over Clach Glas, just brilliant.  It felt nicely sustained and continuously interesting.  We also took a super-direct line up the final tower which was brilliant.  We made our way onto the Summit of Blabheinn after 2pm before making our way back to the car for a farewell.  Probably one of the best sections of ridge on Skye.  If you haven't done it then you must!  Go and do it!  This week I have been working for Skye Guides.

Today it was more rain.  Slightly less than yesterday so Caroline and I headed for the mountains.  Far too wet for a camera though.  The winds were up so we sought shelter up in Coire na Creiche which is approached via the beautiful Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye.  We had a couple of options but finally settled on South Gully (Severe) on Glaich Moire Face.  This is a huge gully which reminded me very much of Clachaig Gully except this was much wetter! We moved in and out of the gully on the initial stages but had some great sustained climbing on super clean rock before being barred by the crux.  A smooth chimney which needs front and back footing.  Today it was a gushing waterfall so we moved onto the slabs too the left.  We eventually ended on the ridge west of Bidean Druim nan Ramh so we refuelled and headed over the 3 tops.  Fortunately the rain had subsided a little so it didn't feel too bad.  Usually I always avoid this section in the wet but Caroline was climbing incredibly well.  We proceeded onto An Caisteal and eventually onto Bruach na Frithe before making our way down the North-West Ridge and scree running down to the Fairy Pools.  Despite the weather, there were some brave youngsters out enjoying the perfect natural swimming pools!  Another brilliant day on Skye, a new area for me and some very challenging conditions.