Ben Chonzie 24 Sept 2011

My dear friend Carol passed away last week, on 17th Sept. She was just 42 years old. Despite events at home I decided to go ahead with my walking trip - A very scenic (and not too strenuous) ascent of Ben Chonzie (3,054') from Glen Lednock - good views from the summit and adjoining ridge - Ben Vorlich to the west, and the Ben Lawers range, with Ben More and Stob Binnein behind, to the west shrouded in shower cloud.

Cold Pike and Crinkle Crags 23 August 2011

A more cloudy day, and the ascent of Cold Pike starting from the highest point of Wrynose Pass - good views from the summit at 2,259', Pike o'Blisco impressively close across the valley, round to Langdale and Bowfell/Crinkle Crags. Then on up the obvious path to the ridge of Crinkle Crags, as far as the south summit at 2,730, with impressive views of the Scafell massif to the west. Very windy on the Crinkle ridge itself.

High Raise and the Langdale Pikes ( Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle and Pike o'Stickle ) 22 August 2011

A bright, fairly muggy, calm day and an enjoyable walk from Langdale up to the Pikes - first, Pavey Ark by Stickle Tarn, good views from the summit at 2,288' after a steep scramble, across the Pikes and the Scafell range to the west - and High Raise to the north, the next peak reached at 2,500' giving an extensive panorama in all directions. Then the more rugged peaks of Harrison Stickle (2,415') and on to the conical Pike o'Stickle (2,323') with very good views of Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Scafell/Great Gable. 4 Peaks climbed in all.

Beinn Chabhair 30 July 2011

A morning Munro climb, before travelling home in the afternoon. A misty start, gradually burning off but leaving some cloud inversion lapping up from the shores of Loch Lomond. An enjoyable walk across moorland, following the Beinglas burn, then up to the ridge and east to the summit at 3,061' with good views of the rest of the Crianlarich range, and across to the Arrochar Alps. My early start meant I had the summit to myself, but met quite a few walkers heading up in the fine weather as I was heading down.