Winter climbing in the Cairngorms

Met up with Andy Nisbet and Susan Jensen this morning at the Cairngorm Mountain car park. We carried  in a  rack of gear and ropes with the intention of exploring a new unrecorded winter climb. We did not expect the conditions to be so fine and ended up soloing two nice climbing routes. It was a great day with good pals. Windy and it felt chilly and the turf was frozen enough to be useful! Below is a short video showing conditions on Coire An Lochan today 26 December 2016.

https://youtu.be/u_vQNwwvB3I

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Susan on or first climb of the day.

Susan and Andy, lunch stop!

Susan on our second climb.

Winter climbing in the Cairngorms - a great day with two great friends.

With my very good pal Andy Nisbet and  fellow Alpine Club  committee and SMC member Susan Jensen we nipped into the Cairngorms today and did a couple of climbs. We expected them to be harder so we carried in ropes and a climbing rack. We ended up soloing both of the unrecorded climbing routes. Winds were strong and it was relatively chilly. An ace day with good friends and great way of burning up the excessive calorific intake of our recent Christmas celebrations!

Susan on our first adventure of the day.

Sunshine and wind...Susan and Andy at our lunch picnic stop.

Susan on our second climb

And again, Susan climbing.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Speaking at Tarskavaig Village Hall 3 Nov 16

Excited to speak on the Island of Skye at Tarskavaig Village Hall at 7.30pm this Thursday night!

Yes, I will have a few signed copies!

Portobello Book Festival (Edinburgh) - 7 to 9th October 2016

Please to be able to intriduce my book 'In Some Lost Place' first ascent of Nanga Parbat's Mazino Rodge on the 9th of October.

The book can be purchased at the festival or direct from myself (info@teamascent.co.uk)

There is a fantastic line up of speakers and events!

Vallorcine granite

A nice mornings rock climbing with Will Brook

Vallorcine rock climbing is on good clean granite.It's an idea venue for learning to rock climb and  brushing up skills.

An nice secluded place and this time of year, although its a victim of it's on success during the busy holidays.

Another Mont Blanc, 6/7 September 2016

It's not a bad office eh?

David, Robert, Will and David Sharp (Asp guide) on the summit. 

View towards the Aig du Midi

Robert and Will as we left the summit this morning, The shadow of Mont Blanc in the background!

Chamonix in the rain.

Introduction to crevasse rescue and hauling systems.

Climbing a rope with prussicks.

Even on a rainy day Chamonix is a nice place to be!

Nice times on Mont Blanc

Sun set from the Goutier hut, We  had zero stonefall when we crossed the Grand couloir- lucky us!  There has been some huge rock slides though.

Birgit on the second boss -  4547m

Back at the Goutier hut - (Refuge du Goutier 3817m)

Mont Blanc summit climb.

Yasmin Gahtani on the summit of Mont Blanc yesterday 28th August

Descending from the summit

By the  Refuge de Goutier

 Summit flag!

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Aiguille du Midi mountain climbing.

 Yesterday I was working with Adventure Consultants (NZ) here in Chamonix.This photo above is Yasmin on the Arete du Midi

Point Lachenal

Yasmin loved being on the summit

Technical mixed climbing with Yasmin

More please, its amazing!

Aig du Tour today, climbing and Mountaineering around Chamonix. Mont Blanc

Frank today, brilliant weather!

Emily and Frank

Frank, Rick and Andrew

Mountaineering from the Cabane des Dix

Will in great form on the summit of Mont Blanc de Cheilon while i guided an ISM summit week.

Will and Fin on the summit of the Pigne d'Arolla

Thumbs up to Swiss music in the Cordee Cafe!!!

Zinalrothorn,Switzerland

Will and Fin on the summit of the Zinalrothorn

Excellent conditions for it!

Interesting time on the Walkers Spur, Grant Jorasses North Face

Lots of snow this summer season

Ace rock climbing

The foretasted snow came about 12 hours earlier than expected.
Andzej Zyczkowski, Sandy Allan, Kacper Tekeli.

Coolets cat ever at the  Refuge de Leschaux.