Stac Pollaidh

An easy kind of exploration today up the North West of this fantastic country!!!The innocent crystals below have survived the thaw so far, make sure you do.... Happy New Year!!!!!

Northern Corries: Interesting climbing conditions

The snow fall of yesterday and the freeze have kind of helped the climbing conditions although its nothing startling, but some of the climbs are white and around 1050m the turf is semi OK so there are some good adventures to be had! There were many people climbing today on many different grades of climbs and there was some bold teams who broke trail through the windslab to the foot of Fiacaill Couloir etc... Interestingly enough while the apron looked loaded the top of of the crag around Invernookie and all looked rather black! By lunch time the snow had started to fall again and the wind blew from a Southerly direction which caused lots of drifting from the plateau. Down at the car park the thaw had started and the roads were very slushy on the drive back home!An experience enhancing day!

Crisp , cold day

Nice day out the the Cairngorms with Matt today, soloed around and roped up for some technical pitches. The turf is still frozen in most places high up and any remaining snow is good neve... a shower of snow and all could be pretty good again!

Matt trying to be less bombastic!!!

A dreadful thaw but there are still adventures to be had!

The recent thaw really has striped many climbs, but Andy N and I thought we would take a wander about the Cairngorms this morning. It was a cold westerly wind and freezing high up! There is still some ice about and the turf remains well frozen.. A big shower of snow and all will be reasonable again!!!
Andy on the Sneer

We climbed up the Runnel and the Sneer today... a nice day out! Some breaks in the gullies!

Echoes of a Dream

Alan Richard Mchardy has published his book. Its a captivating account of Richards amazing life so far! Outstandingly bold first ascents, a true account of the development of British Rock Climbing in the 1950s through to the present day! Please check out and buy it on http://www.echoesofadream.co.uk/

Thawing conditions

Thank goodness for Gore Tex and Mountain Equipment, damp and windy, testing conditions on the hills today.

The rime ice is gone from all the snow fences at Glenshee, but the runs are remain fine good with a reasonable amount of snow.

Lochnagar

Some photo taken at Lochnagar today.
High up there is lots of snow.

Above: Lochnagar.

Bad Vis day

Kind of stormy day for the snow pit and later we became involved in a search for two lost skiers, so its been an interesting day! Everyone found safe and well!

Stellar day!

A really nice day in the hills today! Instabilities in the snow pack were easily triggered!

First thing in the morning, one is reminded that its a good idea to close the windows!

High up the snow cover is pretty good!

First day of the forcasting season for me.

I have had the most dreadful cold which prevented me from joining my buddy Alan at the start of this years Scottish Avalanche Information Service avalanche reports for South Cairngorm. I was delighted to get on the hill today and immediately the Scottish snow pack had some interesting information to share!

Our shovel tap test gave some easy shears within the snow pack today. Isolated areas of wind slab have formed on Southerly aspects... and the temperature gradient is interesting! If you are skiing off-piste keep your awareness switched on !

Offshore Industrial Rope Access

Steve and Lee at work on a crane boom.

Utilising a combination of climbing and caving techniques to reach awkward places!

A simple life!

My friend Alan would prefer to be on his skis at times like this!