June 09 Conditions

Monday 29th June 2009

Another hot day on the West coast

Yesterday it was 25°C even at 300m above sea level. I was out with Amy exploring the area around Gairloch. We scrambled up Humpback Buttress on An Groban 4 km south East of Gairloch.

It is a great time of year to be out with loads of insects and wild flowers to see. Photo below of a sundew which is an insectivorous plant common on boggy ground. The insect is a 25mm (1 inch) long Horntail or Woodwasp which we spotted on the summit of An Groban.

Sunday 28th June 2009

Hot and humid across Scotland

After a busy week working for BBC Raven I heading out yesterday for an explore around the back of Liathach.

Once the morning mist burnt off it stayed above 20°C all day and there was a gentle Easterly breeze. Many folk were out enjoying the traverse of Liathach and I spotted climbers up on the excellent sandstone crag of Seana Mheallan

Sunday 21st June 2009

Torridon Scrambling

Sean and I had another great day scrambling in Torridon. We traversed Beinn Alligin via the Horns of Alligin. En route we looked at simple scrambling rope work and navigation.

The weather was not as bad as was forecast and although there was cloud down to 800m there was no precipitaion all day.

Saturday 20th June 2009

Liathach Traverse

Today I was out with Sean in Torridon. We did the full traverse of Liathach with the addition of a great little scramble to start up the South Ridge of Mullach an Rathain.

The weather started rather misty and cloudy but by the time we were on the Pinnacles the cloud had cleared and the sun came out.

We had great views west and north to Skye, the Western Isles, An Teallach and the Summer Isles.

Thursday 18th June 2009

Heavy showers in the Eastern Highlands

I was out with Liam and Graham working for the BBC today doing some safety rigging for the next series of Raven.

It was a cool blustery day with some heavy rain in between the warm sunshine.

Wednesday 17th June 2009

Very changeable weather across Scotland

Yesterday we managed to grab a great day of cragging before today's weather system arrived.

Anna, Mike and I headed over to the South Face of Sgurr a' Chaorachain near Applecross. This road side crag has some excellent multi-pitch sandstone climbing.

We climbed the original route of the crag, Sword of Gideon in warm sunshine and a breeze which kept any midges away.

Monday 15th June 2009

Sea to Summit Scrambling

Yesterday Amy and I headed to the seaside to avoid the heavy showers that were building up across the mountains. On the north side of the entrance to Loch Torridon is the sleepy little village of Lower Diabaig. This picturesque spot is home to some fantastic Gneiss rock climbing. See my Summer Gallery page for photos of the main wall and the classic Diabaig Pillar.

Yesterday while several teams were enjoying the climbing we headed up the far less travelled scramble from sea level to the summit of Meall Ceann na Creige. This grade 3 scramble takes you high above Loch Torridon with fantastic views to Skye and the Outer Hebrides.

Down on the shore we met "2 engineers in a kayak". Tom and Anne are on a Hebridean journey in their folding Feathercraft sea kayak.

They started at the Mull of Kintyre at the end of May and will finish in Ullapool around the Summer Solstice. What a great way to explore the hidden sea cliffs of the Scottish West Coast.

Wednesday 3rd June 2009

Hot and sunny on Skye

Just back from a great few days on Skye. Willie and John arrived in time for the high pressure to bring sunshine to the Cuillin last weekend. See below for more details and photos.

On Monday Ian and I started early to do a full traverse of the Skye Ridge. We completed the full traverse of the 10 km ridge includes 11 munros and over 3000m of ascent in a very respectable 12h 40m. The traverse of the Black Cuillin is one of the great mountaineering challenges in Scotland and involves complex route finding and tricky exposed scrambling. If, like us, you choose to do it in the purest fashion it includes climbing the infamous and never easy TD gap, the enjoyable King Chimney, the spectacular Inaccessible Pinnacle and the beautifully exposed Naismiths Route on the Basteir Tooth.

Yesterday we decided on an easier but still spectacular day and climbed to the top of the Cioch nose.

Sunshine and Wind on the Cuillin Munros

A great few days on the Black Cuillin of Skye with Willie and John. Friday and Saturday started cloudy but the tops soon cleared to bring sunshine and strong winds.

Sunday the tops were clear from the start of the day and the winds were much lighter. We did 9 Munros over 3 days and Willie has now done all his Munros on Skye. Congatulations Willie.