Winter 2022-2023
A ski-tour over Cairngorm to Loch A’an – 12th December 2022
A fine day of sunshine after days of cloud and snowfall. Amazing snow and a good cover down to the loch and back through Coire Cas.
A promising start on the drive up to Cairngorm with Meall a’Bhuacaille catching the first sun.
Looking down at the Saddle, Loch A’an and Beinn Mheadhoin beyond.
Down to the loch side, looking towards the Shelterstone crag and Carn Etchachan.
You can just make out some folk down by the loch
Great snow and turns down the Cairngorm Coronation Wall into Coire Cas.
Summer 2022
A traverse of the southern Cuillin Munros
An early start for what was going to be a warm day, part of the glorious weather the country was experiencing over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.
This journey was part of a relay connecting all the Munros across Scotland being carried out by the Veteran Women’s Munro Relay.
Looking across towards the Isles of Eigg, Rum and Soay.
Coire Ghrunnda
Near the summit of Sgurr Alasdair
One of the tricky sections of Sgurr Thearlaich
Traversing Collie’s Ledge on Sgurr MhicCoinnich
On the In Pinn…
In Pinn summit
Sgurr a’Ghreadaidh
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Rock-climbing at Neist Point on Skye
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Summer Mountain Leader Assessment – Expedition to the north of Glenfinnan
Winter 2022
A circuit of the northern corries of the Cairngorms – 2nd April 2022
Ski-touring adventures above Zinal – 5th March 2022
Aladdin’s Couloir, a classic gully adventure in the Cairngorms – 11th January 2022
Looking at the back wall of the cliffs of Coire an t-Sneachda in the Cairngorms. Aladdin’s Gully takes the district line to the left of Mel. The gully has a short ice section just at the narrows, which you can see, before the climb heads up and right behind the pinnacles to the plateau at the top.
Different views of the lower section of the gully. Here we are climbing the route by a series of pitches, using the rock and sometimes the snow to make belay anchors.
Nearly at the top…! The gully takes us to a surprising flatter section amongst the pinnacles, with views looking back down where we’ve come from…
… and the last section up to the top…
… and onto the Cairngorm plateau. Quite a different landscape, but great to look back at the cliffs and some of the impressive terrain and the ridge-line of the Fiacaill Ridge.
Ski tour on Fionn Bhein, above Achnasheen – 7th January 2022
A great fairly straight-forward ski-tour on an accessible Munro in the central Highlands.
Great views looking west towards Torridon, with Liatach and Beinn Eighe standing out…
… and to the north-west you could see Slioch catching the sun, Loch Fada and the rest of the Letterewe range.
And not a bad cover of snow for the ski down, so it was worth doing two laps of the top slope!
A snowy day on the Fiacaill Ridge – 5th January 2022
A good first winter mountaineering route after learning some good cramponing skills. The route is like a great snowy scramble, with some interesting steps and a bit of exposure.
Still a whiteout at the top of the ridge!
Winter solstice – crevasse rescue practice 21st December 2021
Looking through the Lairig Ghru, in the Cairngorms, to wards Cairn Toul.
We had had a couple of days of practicing making different snow belays and now the team were able to put them into practice, working through the process of improvised crevasse rescue.
The Lairig Ghru pass looking north…
… and looking further north and west to the rest of the Highlands.
A ski descent into the Loch Avon basin – 12th December 2021
After a few more days of snow fall, the cover made it OK to ski all the way down to Loch Avon, over the back of Cairngorm, taking you right into the centre of these mountains.
Looking up Loch Avon to the cliffs fo the Shelterstone, preparing for the ski tour back up…
…and a further good ski down the Ciste Gully, taking care with a few holes in the snow cover near the bottom..!
Finding the ski legs, first ski tour of the season on Cairngorm – 3rd December 2021
This well-known summit holds the snow well on many sides so is great for combining ski-touring with skiing, and dropping into different views and environments.
Summer 2021
Atmospheric conditions on the Cairngorm plateau
photo courtesy of Anna Henly
The best VDiff climb in Scotland…! Agag’s Groove on Buachaille Etive Mor
The approach to the climb involves starting up Curved Ridge, high up above Rannoch Mor.
Looking down on the Rannoch Wall, here catching the sunshine, the location of many fine rock climbs.
Agag’s Groove is a route of 4 pitches taking the right edge of the Rannoch Wall.
Some amazing climbing in a spectacular location!
Welcome sunshine on Glenbrittle beach
A murky day on the Cuillin southern Munros
With a number of Cuillin Munros left to do, we were able to link several of the southern summits of the Cuillin despite not much of a view most of the time. At least the Inaccessible Pinnacle is still distinct!
Rock-climbing at Neist Point on Skye
The Green Lady pinnacle, the venue of our rock-climbing as well as the sea cliffs down to the left.
A sunrise start on the Cuillin ridge
An early start from a cold bivvy, above Coire Grundda, having climbed the Dubhs slabs the day before.
Arriving at the summit of Sgurr Alistair, a shadow of this peak sits out on the morning haze.
Looking north from the summit of Sgurr Alistair.
…and looking east….
… and south, looking on towards Gars-bheinn and Sgurr nan Eag at the south end of the Cuillin ridge.
Approaching the narrows between Sgurr Thearlaich and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich.
The very fine route of King’s Chimney (Diff) on Sgurr Mhic Choinnich.
A moody Inaccessible Pinnacle
Dubhs ridge
The continuous profile of this scramble of rock slabs and short walls extends up from Loch Coruisk, initially to the summit of Sgurr Dubh Beag. Following a couple of exciting abseils off this summit, a further scramble up onto the munro of Sgurr Dubh Mor and on to the Cuillin ridge can be made.
At the abseil…
… looking on to Sgurr Dubh Mor
Looking back at the site of the abseils on Sgurr Dubh Beag and beyond to Loch Scarvaig and Elgol.
An Teallach traverse
Starting at Dundonell and finishing in Corrie Hallie, our traverse started with tackling the fine summit of Bidean a’ Glas Thuill.
Fine views looking north from Bidean a’ Glas Thuill towards Little Loch Broom and on to the Summer Isles.
From the summit of Bidean a’ Glas Thuill the fine summit of our next challenge of Sgurr Fiona.
On the summit of Sgurr Fiona.
Looking on towards the Fisherfield wilderness.
Winter 2021
Ben Macdui and Castlegates Gully
Cairngorm
Braeriach
Meall a’Bhauchaille
Sgor Gaoith and the Glenfeshie hills
Summer 2020
A sunny day on Castle Ridge, Ben Nevis – 27th September 2020
Castle Ridge frames the right-hand edge of the north face cliffs of Ben Nevis, and also, facing south-east, catches much of the morning’s sun. This was welcome as some snow had fallen 2 days previously and still some remained beneath the summit on the Observatory face. This route is a fantastic line on good rock with many moves on slabs and short walls. There are key sections where a longer pitch is necessary where the terrain becomes as easy climbing, with some interesting but possible moves and just a bit of exposure.
High up on the route having done the upper tower, the sense of space and wonder of the corrie behind and the surrounding cliffs.
Looking back behind Castle Ridge at the summit of Carn Mor Dearg that connects to Ben Nevis on the right.
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Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor – 26th September 2020
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West Buttress on Lochnagar – 14th September 2020
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A dawn start to the Cuillin Ridge – August 2020
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Walking in to loch Coruisk and the start of the Cuillin Ridge – August 2020
Winter 2020
A fab day on the Jamspitze in the Silvretta – 22nd February 2020
As part of a multi-day ski-tour in the Silvretta region of Austria, and sandwiched between some days of poor weather, here we had an excellent day with powder and sunshine on the Jamspitze summit.
Winter mountaineering in the Cairngorms – 14th February 2020
Col d’Argentière – 16th January 2020
Col de l’Encrenaz in the Aiguilles Rouges – 15th January 2020
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Col du Passon traverse – 14th January 2020
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Brèche du Berade ski-tour – 2nd January 2020
Autumn 2019
A free-for-all on Cairngorm! – 19th November 2019
A sunny day had been forecast, with no winds. In the week before there had been freezing temperatures to the valley and the snow that had fallen a week earlier was still covering the higher summits of the Cairngorms. Despite it being a Monday, a fair number of folk were out on the hill, try all modes of transport…!
Setting off from Cairngorm summit looking across at Beinn Mheadhoin.
Loch A’an
A fellow ski-tourer heading back up the slope.
A boarder letting it rip…
…followed by some bikers!
Looking across the Cairngorm plateau and beyond to Ben Macdui, Cairn Toul and Braeriach.
Returning down the north side of Cairngorm through the closed ski area of the Ciste, still loads of snow though…
…and finishing looking down at Glenmore forest and Loch Morlich.
Cairngorm ski-touring – 13th November 2019
Driving past Loch Morlich, I had to stop to take a photo of the mountains reflecting in the loch, with the sun just appearing over Cairngorm.
Not many other photos today as the cold wasted the battery’s life too quickly… Here I’m close to the summit of Cairngorm looking across to the northern Corries. The snow had a surprisingly good cover, and although it was quite crusty there was enough of it and space to make the turns. It was great skiing off one of the highest peaks around, and in the sun too..!
Cuillin scrambling on Sgurr a’Ghreadaidh – 3rd November 2019
Traverse of Bla Bheinn – 2nd November 2019
Summer 2019
Mont Blanc Summit – 16th September 2019
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Aiguilles des Entreves traverse – 3rd September 2019
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Dri Hornli rock-climbing – 30th August 2019
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Weissmies South Ridge – 29th August 2019
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Riffelhorn scrambling – 25th August 2019
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Monte Rosa summits – 22nd August 2019
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Mont Blanc at sunrise – 16th August 2019
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Zumsteinspitze Monte Rosa – 3rd August 2019
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Aiguille du Tour – 31st August 2019
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Finsteraarhorn summit – 23rd July 2019
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The Dufourspitze, the highest of the Monte Rosa summits – 4th July 2019
Getting the first of the sun’s rays at 7am. We’ve been on the move for just over 4 hours since leaving the hut, on glacier and snow ridge, and the rock of the summit ridge is very welcome.
Looking back towards Lyskamm
… and across to the Monte Rosa summit of Nordend
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Rock-climbing on the Riffelhorn above Zermatt – 2nd July 2019
A good training rock-climb, one of several on the south face of the rocky summit of the Riffelhorn
The climbing really is in a spectacular place, looking down at the vast Gorner glacier and all the fine mountains all around.
Looking across at climbers on a parallel route to us.
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Moiry alpine ridges and glaciers – 28th June 2019
We spent a few days at the Moiry hut, building on the team’s experience of ridge climbing and scrambling.
Here we are on the north ridge of the Pigne de la Lé…
… and on its summit
The next day we travelled further up the Moiry glacier to reach the Dent des Rosses which had a good rocky ridge to climb and descend.
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Aiguilles Marbrées traverse – 24th June 2019
The traverse of the Aiguilles Marbrées is a great introduction to alpine scrambling and mountaineering on a rocky ridge.
With a little bit of exposure…
…. and a little bit of awkwardness, it’s a great ridge for trying out this sort of alpine adventure.
Spring 2019
Last ski-tour of the season in the Vanoise – 20th April 2019
On the approach into to Refuge du Col de la Vanoise, looking ahead to the Grande Casse and some amazing rock scenery. The Col de la Grande Casse in at the back in the centre.
Looking back at the start of the main Vanoise glacier, and our refuge below.
After a couple of hours of touring the last section to the col de la Grande Casse needed to be done on foot.
Great to be at the summit…
… and to see the view beyond. Here we are skiing down from the prominent col right underneath the big north wall of the Grande Casse.
A good ski down the mountain before reaching the valley back to Champagny.
Bishorn summit and then on to the Blanc de Moming – 14th April 2019
An early start to catch the best of the mountain before the afternoon cloud was to roll in. Here we get a glimpse of the Brunegghorn and the Barrhorn, where we had been the day before.
A steady climb up the main glacier
The last part of the ascent is a short simple mountaineering section and then the Bishorn summit at 4153m is reached.
Skiing down in atmospheric conditions and on excellent snow.
The journey continued round to the Refuge de Arpitettaz and then across and up the glacier to the Blanc de Moming.
Looking south from the Blanc de Moming…
… then skiing back down its north flank, beneath the summit dome
The descent continues in increasingly heavy snow beneath the rocky summit of Besso
With Besso at the back, the ski descent makes its way through the larch woodland and a welcome track that takes us all the way back to Zinal.
A fantastic day on the Barrhorn – 8th April 2019
High above the Brunegg glacier and with the view of the Bishorn behind, we made our way up the south flank of the Barrhorn…
… to the summit!
The descent found its way down a big broad couloir down the north side, with some excellent snow
Looking back at the Barrhorn and the broad valley couloir of our descent.
Ski-tour traverse of the Breche du Berard – 28th March 2019
Skiing down from the first col, the Col du Crochue
Skinning the next slope, with plenty of kick-turns included…
… and one short section of exposure as the ridge narrows.
Looking back at the Aiguille Floria
The ridge continues up towards the breach itself, with a spectacular view of Mont Blanc in the background
Skiing from a high position at the top of the Berard valley
Cold day on Mont Buet – 26th March 2019
Traverse of the Col du Passon – 24th March 2019
Starting up the Argentiere Glacier looking up at the Aiguille du Chardonnet and the start of our ski-tour adventure to the left of this peak.
After skinning for way, the couloir narrows and needs to be climbed…
… not too steep but good fun to use the axe and crampons
A bit cold at the top, at the Col du Passon
Skiing the Tour Glacier all the way back to the village of le Tour
Pointe Alphonse Favre and the Glacier du Mort – 22nd March 2019
Booting up the big couloir start to the Pointe Alphonse Favre, with the Col du Crochue just visible top left, where we had skied across from.
Climbing up the final snow pitch to the summit…
Great to arrive at the rather small summit
A comfortable wind-scoop just below the summit was good for getting the kit sorted and for a lunch with a view….
…. before setting off to ski the top section of the Glacier du Mort
The snow slope winds its way at a good gradient through the steep rocky terrain all around….
… before arriving at the upper slopes of the Berard Valley
Ski-tour over the Col de Fenestral – 20th March 2019
Above the village of Finhaut are a number of ski-tours that involve a good hike for 3-4+ hours but they take you high up in the mountains and can have some good snow on their shaded north-facing slopes.
The journey up to the Col de Fenestral is mostly in full sun, so it can be quite hot work by the time you reach the col.
The snow down the other side was worth it!
Lots of potential for fresh tracks…
Looking beyond the Val d’Emanay to the Grand Combin
…. and an adventurous exit finish the day back into the ski area.
