Scafell Pike 11 Sept 2009

11 Sept - I finally conquered England's highest mountain! A fairly arduous walk up from Langdale, via Rossett Gill, up via Esk Hause across the very stony slopes of Ill Crag to the pull up to the summit of Scafell Pike (3,210'). An excellent viewpoint, from Blencathra and Skiddaw, then Great Gable, round to the southern fells. A total of 14 miles walked including 3,000 ft of ascent. The low sun on the return in the early evening gave some beautiful colours to the views.

Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh 12 June 2009

12 June - a fine day for an ascent of Beinn Dorain (3,523') and Beinn an Dothaidh (3,287'). A climb up from Bridge of Orchy in dry conditions on a normally very boggy path, then a traverse round the flank of the ridge to the summit of Beinn Dorain - an excellent viewpoint looking west - all the way from Ben Cruachan, past Glencoe to Ben Nevis and the Mamores. East, the Perthshire hills and Schiehallion. Then I dropped back down to the col and climbed the wetter slopes of Beinn an Dothaidh, an even better viewpoint for Rannoch Moor. 2 Munros on a sunny day!

Bidean nam Bian 29 May 2009

29 May - a superb cloudless day, and a fantastic but fairly arduous walk/scramble up Bidean nam Bian from the A82, via Coire nam Beith to the ridge, then E along the ridge to the summit of Stob Coire nam Beith - amazing views of Ben Nevis and the Mamores (over the top of Aonach Eagach) to the N, and S to Ben Cruachan. Then the last climb up to Bidean nam Bian 1150m (3,773'). A 360 panorama of Glencoe from its highest point, distant views as far as the Cuillin ridge and Glen Shiel. A very satisfying day, 6h up and down. Apparently the first clear day for 10 days!

Liathach 14 May 2009

14 May - my first foray to Scotland this year, hoping to catch the tail end if this week's fine spell. An arduous ascent of Liathach followed, definitely the hardest walk I have done if the "locked" legs the next day are anything to go by....
I ascended by the "tourist" path (in fact a steep rocky staircase requiring some scrambling) to gain the ridge at the col, then turned west to climb Stob a'Choire Liath Mhor. The final steep pull up rough boulders led to the munro, Spidean a'Choire Leith (3,456') - an amazing viewpoint over the ridge of Liathach N across Beinn Eighe to Fisherfield, Slioch and An Teallach - W across Beinn Alligin to Skye - and S/E to Glen Shiel, the Fannichs and distant Ben Nevis. The pinnacles of Am Fasarinen could be seen to the W but I descended by my route of ascent, total 6 hrs and very sore knees! The weather was fine with scattered cumulus and a high cloud base, cloud increasing during the afternoon.

2009 season....

17 April - wonderful weather in the West of Scotland at present, and here is a picture of Torridon, looking north from Beinn Alligin, to whet the appetite. I really hope I can get there in May....

Cat Bells and Skiddaw Little Man ( Lake District)

12 Sep - Cat Bells (1451') and Skiddaw Little Man (2838'). After an Expedition Medicine course in the Lakes, I had a free afternoon and the weather was cloudy/bright but the clouds were fairly high. I first climbed Cat Bells (1451') from the north - a nice ridge walk with fairly extensive views (top) - then as the cloud appeared to be lifting I headed for Skiddaw. I set off up the tourist path but after I got to Little Man (2838'), with views of the summit, cloud and drizzle rolled in from the east (middle) and gave some dramatic backlit effects as it swirled over the ridge with the low sun behind it to the west (lower). I headed down as the light began to fade.

Scottish weather back to normal....

1 July - after the amazing dry and sunny spring in the West Highlands, June was fairly wet, and the prospects for my possible short visit next week don't look too promising...