Applecross- Bealach na Ba

 SA, Alan, Colin and Vicky today at the weather station.

Temperatures returned to below freezing level by around 1400hrs with wonderful afternoon light. Ice forming and snow building in the higher corries.

Beinn Eighe - Creag Dubh, Torridon

 A wet to the underpants day but the rain showers turned to sleet around 500m and while mist shrouded the summits it was really not so bad at higher altitudes. Although being wet to the skin  meant one had to keep moving to retain a comfort level!

The small burns are full and river crossings are quite tricky.

On Liatach, Torridon today.

 With  Alan we  had a long walk but saw that winter conditions are building nicely in the Coireag Dubh Mor.

Nice in in the North - West.

With Alan and Mark, Torridon.

Wonderful Christmas

 Thanks girls (all three) for a perfect day!

Winter is coming to the Scottish hills

 Good days on the snow!

Comfortable in my new Mountain Equipment Tupilak Jacket and Touchstone Fleece!

Ben Nevis 1344m

 We were on Ben Nevis today.  On the drive over the Laggan dam built on the River Spean was gushing lots of water.

 Ben Nevis today, the gullies looking thin and challenging.

My pal Alan above the CIC hut.

Glencoe today

 Enjoyed a nice day on the hill with my good pal Alan Dennis

 We could hear some climbing calls from the misty crags above! Its looking quite good really.

Graupel galore! 

 

Industrial Rope Access - Salava, Ardeche, France

 A two day IRATA assessment at Absolutio this weekend , www.travaux-sur-corde.fr

Another excellent IRATA training location and centre. www.irata.org

Rope Access

At Talon Industrial Rope Access Training centre in Edinburgh on Friday 13 Dec.

RGU Aberdeen Graduation 2013

 Lucky me, a very proud  Dad! My daughter Hannah graduated again, this time at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen  Master of Science Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.

 ' Omni Nunc Arte Magistra' , Make the best of all your abilities.

1800 jubilant students qualified in a vast array of professions. Here's wishing  all the graduands the very best of luck for the future.

Good Night Polar Bear!

 

On behalf of Community Action Nepal (CAN), Tut Brithwait and I are speaking tonight at Stirling ( details below). Most importantly I would appreciate it if you could help spread the word and ask your friends to come along and bid for this painting. This outstanding work has been gifted to CAN by the Morris Macintyre family. Esme died earlier this year aged 18 years of age while battling a brain tumour for nearly 7 years. Despite all her hardships she was able to produce this wonderful painting for her local art festival

Wednesday 11th December in Stirling
7.30pm
Logie Lecture Theatre, University fo Stirling, FK9 4LA
Contact for Stirling is Katy Haddock on GHHaddock@aol.com

Kangchenjunga, Nepal: 8586 m

 A parcel was delivered to me by the post man this morning. A nice gift from Dr Richard Sale and Dr George Rodway containing their new edition of the 8000 meter peak book . Here above is a photo of Joe Brown  near the sacred summit  which must have been taken by his climbing companion, the late George band who, with Joe made the first ascent of the mountain on the 25 May 1955 via the South-West face.

Thanks very much for sending me the book guys!

Piolet d'Or 2013 Winners

 

Community Action Nepal Lectures: Mazino Ridge Nanga Parbat.

Sandy Allan will be standing in for Doug Scott and will be speaking about his expedition to Nanga Parbat's Mazino Ridge at the following venues on behalf of Community Action Nepal.www.canepal.org.uk
Also speaking will be Paul (Tut) Braithwaite, Big Walls and High Mountains.

Monday 9th December in Inverness

7.30pm

The Highland Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX

Contact for Inverness is Robert Preece on    rpreece@onetel.com

 

 

Wednesday 11th December in Stirling

7.30pm

Logie Lecture Theatre, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA

Contact for Stirling is Katy Haddock on       GHHaddock@aol.com