Today I was back out working for Plas y Brenin and today we had a slightly more static day and hit some skills.  A combination of sliding, digging and more digging.  And some more sliding!  A very fun day but felt quite slushy for most of the day.  We didn't get above 700m.  Other teams said North Buttress was amazing as well as the ridges above 700m.  One more day tomorrow in Glencoe then off to Skye for a couple of days mountaineering.

Today I have been working for Plas Y Brenin who are running their annual training for the staff of Cotswold Outdoor.  Various abilities were present with various objectives.  I joined the walking group into Glencoe for an ascent of a nice snowy peak.  Most of the group haven't used crampons before so some training on the go helped success to the summit.  We had fantastic views of the Aonach Eagach with some amazing light shining through.  Nice to be back in the Scottish mountains after being away for a week.

Blue sky at last

I took a few days out and nipped out to the Alps for a few days Skiing at Avoriaz, the Portes du Soleil.  I went with my school buddy who I used to go snowboarding with all the time when we were at school. I have ditched my snowboard after 8 years on the board and now spent the last 2 years on ski's.  A very good choice I think.  Most importantly is I can go up hill with my ski'd, go fast on flats and be quick off the lifts.  Ok...i agree, maybe I dont make skiing look cool but im trying!  One day when I get better!  Just a wedding to go to this weekend then back to Scotland for some sustained days of work and climbing.  I am chomping at the bit to get my axes back out.  Well done to Tony and Ian on Scansor, Murdoch and Ian on Sundance, Kenny and John on Central Grooves!  I want to do them all (well maybe not so much Scansor...too hard for me)!

Me and Jez

Time to kill on a flat

Jez, Dave and I

Team summit shot

For the last week I have been based in Stratchcarron working for Martin Moran.  I was working on and Introduction to Winter Climbing course with Dawn, Cassie and Charlie.  All with varied experiences we covered lots of routes, venues and skills.  We visited Skye, Glen Shiel, Fuar Tholl, training crags and the dry tooling crag for a broad experience of what winter climbing is all about.  The snow conditions were pretty limited but we got plenty done with the Forcan Ridge being a particular highlight..quite a ridge!

Its great to be back in the North West.  Looking forward to my next two week stint up here..

Chaz enjoying a bit of mixed

Dawn and Chaz in the white room

Cassi and Chaz on the Forcan Ridge

Photo time on the summit

Team Thompson

Today I was back out with family team Alan, Linda and their son Austin.  It was to be an interesting day for everyone.  Linda hasnt had crampons on for a number of years and Austin was keen to do a wee bit of leading.  We headed for Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor as it is always a crowd pleaser and such a fun route, not to mention the short walk in for those wishing for a gentle day after the new years festivities.

Linda and Alan being brought up by Austin

Not sunny today

So today wasn't quite a nice as yesterday....  It rained, it was windy, it was warm....it was Skye after all!  Chris and I made the most of it non the less.  We were hoping for snow on the very tops so we headed up to the Inaccessible Pinnacle with our soggy fingers crossed.  Unfortunately the rain didn't turn to snow as we topped out on Sgurr Dearg.  As we caught a glimpse of the striking plug of rock, however our eyes were lashed shut by the horizontal rain and driving winds.  It didn't require me to make the call that we weren't going to climb the In Pinn today. "You'd have to be a bloody idiot to climb that in this weather!" Chris screams over the howling gale.  All I could do is agree.  We knew our only sensible option was to descend back into Coire na Banachdaich and swim back to the car.  A good stretch of the legs and glad we braved the elements.

Getting protection from the wind

A wee bit cloudy...but snowy!

Chris hanging out on the first belay

Another top day today.  The Isle of Skye was the venue of choice for Chris and his two day winter climbing stint.  We had a fantastic day climbing North West Face Route (II/III) on Sgurr Nan Gillian with good neve high up and very helpful snow lower down.  Unsurprisingly we had the mountain to ourselves and it was perfect.  On the summit we descended down the West ridge which was bomber neve and made progress very easy.  After a wee abseil we popped over to the North Face of Am Basteir to check out other routes.  A brilliant day on Skye.  There really is something quite special and satisfying about winter climbing on Skye.

Great wee chimney with great snow ice

Happy days on the belay

Chris romping up the easy ground

Looking back to Pinnacle Ridge on the way out

Lovely morning colours

Gus and Mike enjoying a ridge

Today was just perfect.  Great weather, great conditions under foot, great company, great craic, summit too ourselves, amazing view and all finished off with a pint in the Clachaig.  I was out with Gus and Mike, both have been doing their fair share of gully climbing such at Number 4 on Ben Nevis and various others.  Today we opted for something a little more rocky and ridgy and Curved Ridge was the perfect choice.  It was hard enough to keep them on their toes and also showed them where their limit is and what they need to do to progress.  After climbing Curved Ridge, over a pint, we created action plans of what they need to work on and how to go about it.  Next time they will be on the sharp end digging out all the placements and protection!  A brilliant day.

Making good progress