Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime 4 Sept 2012

My second day with Keith, and very windy after overnight rain, with shower cloud and brief brighter spells. A good path up from Arrochar to Beinn Narnain (3,038') via the boulders, the up the gully to gain the summit ridge to the east of the summit plateau. Difficult to stand at the cairn due to the westerly gale! Then NW via the bealach and a trudge up Beinn Ime, the top at 3,316' just being brushed by cloud. Views to Loch Lomond to the east, and the Crianlarich hills to the north.We gave the Cobbler a miss due to the weather - down on a good path to Loch Long. Munro total 88.

Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh and An Stuc 3 Sept 2012

My first day of a brief trip with Keith Gault of hillways.co.uk, and we headed for the Lawers range - the weather was initially foggy at approx 600m, and we trudged up through it to Meall Greigh - the cloud fragmented and rolled away as we reached the summit at 3,284', giving amazing views of the range NE to An Stuc and Ben Lawers. Then on over a broad ridge, in sunshine and with blue skies, to Meall Garbh at 3,668', and up the steep climb to the impressive summit of An Stuc, also 3,668'. We descended back to Loch Tay as a front approached from the west, and it rained heavily late afternoon. Munro total 86.

Nab Scar and Heron Pike 7 July 2012

A brief window of fine weather after a deluge the previous day, which meant my cousin Pete and I diverted to Jorvik at York, as an alternative to the Lakes. An easy ascent from Rydal led to the summit of Nab Scar (1,450') with good views across Lake Windermere to the south, and Loughrigg above Rydal Water, and Langdale, to the west. The ridge then undulated to the north to the higher summit of Heron Pike (2,003') which also gave good views north and east to the Fairfield massif. It was lovely to feel the warmth of the sun, almost summer-like!

The Five Sisters of Kintail 4 June 2012

A really excellent day on the iconic Five Sisters of Kintail, including the 3 Munros. A steep initial climb from the A87 up to the ridge, then via the Spaniards peak to the first Munro, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe (3,369') via a magnificent ricky ridge. Then down and up to the new Munro, Sgurr na Carnach (3,287'), and on to the highest of the Sisters, Sgurr Fhuaran (3,504'). Wonderful views back across the ridge, across to the South Cluanie ridge from yesterday, and north as far as An Teallach, round to the Cuillin and Skye, then Sgurr na Ciche and the West Highland hills. Photos to follow. Munro total 83. Also see Keith's excellent write-up at http://hillways.blogspot.co.uk.

The South Cluanie Ridge 3 June 2012

An excellent, long day with Keith Gault from Hillways and fellow client Jennifer. We started from the Cluanie Inn, heading up the stalkers path behind the hotel onto Druim Shionnach (3,238'), the second peak in the chain. We then headed to the easternmost peak, Creag a Mhaim (3,107')and proceeded to tackle the ridge from east to west. The ridge is a mixture of grass, with rocky outcrops, and consists of 7 Munros - the 2 above - Aonach air Chrith (3,350'), Maol Chinn-dearg (3,218'), Sgurr an Doire Leathain (3,314'), Sgurr an Lochain (3,294'), and Creag nan Damh (3,012'). The views from the western end of the ridge, in fine weather, were stunning over the coast, with the Cuillin ridge, Knoydart and Loch Quoich round to Ben Nevis, and, to the north, Torridon and the Mullardoch Hills. Five new Munros out of 7 gives a total of 80. Photos to follow. Also see Keith's excellent write-up at http://hillways.blogspot.co.uk.

Toll Creagach and Tom a'Choinich 2 May 2012

This was supposed to be an easier day after the previous 2 megadays, so was only 8 hrs ! We started from the River Affric, climbing the heathery southern slopes of Toll Creagach to the summit (3,458'). Again, perfect weather conditions with some lying snow. We crossed the bealach and then ascended the east ridge of Tom a'Choinich to the summit (3,645'), an enjoyable scramble to another amazing viewpoint in the sparkling sun, with the snow cover giving the peaks an alpine aspect - from Carn Eighe and the Affric giants, round Glen Shiel, to the distant Cairngorms and the Mullardoch hills that were shrouded in mist on the first day. Down for 7.30pm. Munros 2, total 75.