Central Gully, Northern Cairngorms

Anna on the first pitch.

There were a few gaps over some rock steps but basically conditions were quite frozen

A great way to close off  2015! 

Poser!

From gyms and bolts to traditional climbing. Cummingston sea cliffs

Anna practicing her trad gear placments

Cold but dryer than the Cairngorm mountains at the sea cliffs today

This rock  shows the wind direction perhaps around 250 million years ago.The strata formed from layers of sand  which was wind blown into sand dunes and have since become sand stone.. The wind was probably blowing left to right.

Back then, the pre dinosaur times, tusked reptiles left foot marks as they walked over the desert dunes which is now Cummingston . There is some wonderful rock climbing on the ocher colored rocks.

Blustery but nice in the Northern Corries

Anna enjoying the acoustics in the corrie

Main lower graded gullies are mainly complete!

Nice climbing on Lurchers today-

Steve with Katie on the second ascent!

Andy about  third of the way up

Andy leading a difficult step on the upper tier

and another awkward and strenuous moves lead to easier ground to the top

Winter climbing - Lurchers crag

Andy on the main pitch 6.VI

exciting tehcnical mixed climbing

Andy and Steve

Its wonderful here in Cairngorm National Park -  I was not guiding today but enjoying the wonderful clear and calm conditions with my good pals, Andy and Steve . Should you wish to come climbing with a guide
 email me at :info@teamascent.co.uk

Cairngorm National Park, winter climbing courses by Sandy Allan, mountain guide at Team Ascent

Andy Nisbet nears the top of the main pitch 

Steve Perry on lead

The climb we did today ( the  two photos above this one ) was close to this on that we did last year

Thanks Cameron, IN SOME LOST PLACE - a gift idea!!!!!!

http://cameronmcneish.wix.com/cameronmcneish#!If-you-want-to-buy-your-loved-one-a-book-for-Christmas-make-it-this-one/c1q8z/566820210cf29cc38648a1eb

Thanks to Cameron for the above and for suggesting my book, 'IN SOME LOST PLACE' as an ace gift idea.
If you wish for a signed copy you can order it direct from me and if you email your postal address or your details I can send you an invoice and then the book. It's a good quality hard back so costs £24.00 and postage within the UK seems to cost £2.80 for one or two books in the same parcel. Just let me know if what if anything you want me to write inside it! Thanks
Happy days to all.
Sandy
 info@teamascent.co.uk

Time again for Scottish Winter Climbing courses

Its snowing and conditions are good. For private guiding and other courses please call or email
info@teamascent.co.uk

All roads lead to Scotland

Are you ready to get excited for Scottish Winter Climbing!
http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/allroadsleadtoscotland

Chalk climbing with Red Bull

 It been so cool over the past day s ten days to head up cliff safety including route selection and setting with Scott Muir, Nate McMullan. Dave Cuthbertson and Martin Brooks for this years Red Bulls white cliffs  climbing competition on the Isle of Wight.

Courvercle Refuge and Aiguille du Moine

Nice view from the hut 2680m

Drew enjoying the view

Something delicious at the hut! and at 3.00 pm after our climb they gave me kisses and almost too many free drinks when they discovered that I just had my birthday!

Tilo, Drew and I just made it to Montenvers for the last train!

Courvercle Refuge and Aiguille du Moine (1)

The Courvercle hut - 2687m

Tilo, early morning first rock pitch from the glacier

Tilo on the summit, Mont Blanc behind.

Drew and Tilo, picnic on descent

Looking quite wintry high up... after such a warm summer!

Aig Rouge rock climbing, Chamonix, Mont Blanc, France

Michael on the lower pitches

Modern Times is an Ed Grindley route,: It was  partly bolted by his UK and Chamonix guide friends after Ed's untimely death due to illness. The guide book suggest taking some friends , slings nad a few nuts and 50 meter ropes

Looking back up the route after our climb,  there are three routes which climb separate line up this nice rock face which gives pleasant rock climbing up to around French grade 5 plus. Its great for intermediate climbers.

Atmospheric in Chamonix yesterday

Fresh snow and cooler temperatures.

climbing with Michael yesterday on the Arete des Cosmiques

Rock climbing between the showers - Barbarine and Vallorcine

Barbarine must be one of the coolest village around here!

The Ecole de Barbarine has some great  climbs up to three pitches of varying grades

Michael enjoying the good friction climbing

And later in the day we went to Vallorcine but did get caught in a some light rain showers

Grand Paridiso

The Mont Blanc range dominated the view

Morning light on the col

Michael on the summit