Chamonix Week, Friday 4th September 2009 - Via Corda

With little prospect of getting to the higher mountains today, we opted for the rocky, scrambly, route of Via Corda above the Arveyron River. Gordon on the lower slabs of Via Corda, some of which despite the grade, anything up to severe higher up were occaisionally greasy, or as Mike did say, "it's all a bit round up here!" The route is great fun though with bolt runners most of the way and climbs several hundred metres. Looking down the gorge on the left of the route.

The route eventually finishes with a fine view above the foot of the Mer de Glace at a small Buvette below Montenvers, which was shut!!!

Would've been great to have a quick beer and enjoy the views! The higher reaches of the Mer de Glace. The Aguile le Dru at 3754m rising out of the mist.

Afterthought Arete, Stag Rocks, Sunday 21st June

With better weather forecast for the east, myself and Lorna headed up to the Cainrgorms. From the Ski Centre car park we went up and over the Fiacaill Ridge and on to the plateau.

As usual, the ridge offers grade I scrambling in great surroundings with a choice of lines.

We crossed the plateau and descended the Coire Raibert path to Loch Avon. From there we walked along under Stag Rocks until we could see Afterthought Arete at their left hand edge, a grade IIIs or Moderate rock climb depending on which guide book you read, on the skyline. Foolishly we headed up from the Loch through the heather, instead of taking the path lower down to a point below the arete, and then climbing up to the start! This would've also helped us find the correct start point. We opted (mistakenly)for the more difficult, dodgy loose rock and heather start about 20m to the right!

Fortunately Mountain Rescue Services weren't required as I luckily discovered the correct route, albeit having missed about 40m it, to our left. We promptly crossed over to it and continued up.

I wish we'd taken more photo's on the arete itself as you don't get the impression of height as the ground eases off at the top. Now that I know where the start is, I will have to go back and do it right, possibly approaching from the Coire Domhain from where I think it is easier to locate, and get to!

Blackford Quarry, 13th April 2009

Today myself, Gordon and Mark, spent a few hours in Blackford Quarry (Edinburgh) enjoying the Easter Bank Holiday sunshine.

We top roped for a couple of climbs followed by some abseiling.

We then moved the anchor points for the top rope higher up the quarry for a longer climb, and then practised belaying a second using an Italian Hitch, indirectly (more like the kind of belay we might use on a winter gully).