May 07 Conditions

Wednesday 30th May 2007

The last 2 days on Skye have been quite wet and very cloudy. Caron and Andy were still keen to get their last Skye Munros done. We climbed Sgurr nan Gillean on Tuesday and Sgurr nan Eag and Sgurr Dubh Mor today.

I was working for West Coast Mountain Guides today.

Sunday 27th May 2007

Although there was fresh snow on many hills. We found excellent summer cragging conditions at Diabaig.

It was unusually busy with 3 teams from Cumbria as well as James, Fiona, Roger and myself.

Saturday 26th May 2007

Today I was out rock climbing with Lorraine and Catriona. We were at Pinnacle Crag at Duntelchaig. We looked at placing gear, setting up belays and abseiling safely with a prussic. Catriona also led her first route.

Although it was cold it was sunny and dry for most of the day.

Friday 25th May 2007

Today the cloud and rain finally cleared from the Skye Ridge. I have been out with Martin, Archie, Gerald and Ian doing munros on Skye for the last 3 days. Today we did the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Sgurr Dearg and Sgurr na Banachdich.

It was colder than the last couple of days but with sunshine and showers so we had some great views.

Sunday 13th May 2007

There was fresh snow this morning on Ben Wyvis and further west in the Fannichs. The west coast near An Teallach was warm and sunny with a perfect little breeze to keep the midges away. Several parties were out enjoying the excellent gneiss in the Gruinard Bay area.

Thursday 10th May 2007

The settled conditions associated with the high pressure that we had in April have now passed and we have a mixed spell of weather to look forward to. Although the midges are now with us in the glens high on the mountain ridges the wind and cooler temperatures keeps them away. The last two days saw lots of rain in the East but the West coast got off lightly with a few showers.

The photo above was taken at sunset last night looking at the north end of the Skye ridge from the Glen Brittle.

Wednesday 2nd May 2007

Today Mike and I headed up to Torridon to climb at the Seana Mheallan crag. This sandstone crag is up on the hillside opposite the south face of Liathach.

The crag holds a fantastic collection of 30m routes from VS to E4. The sun arrives on the crag in the afternoon which today meant it became very warm.