Wild camp - South of White Bridge , Cairngorms - 14th June 2014.

The weather was a bit unpredictable for our original plan of heading up to somewhere near the Ben Alder Cottage bothy, so we tried a little further east in the Cairngorms. A nice walk in from the Linn of Dee car park brought us to the ruin just south of White Bridge. This was more of a social, ambling about weekend rather than a full on yomp.    

Attempting to make chocolate custard using hot chocolate powder.  

Ian and Ruth tucking into "spag bol".

Tess, relaxing in the porch of the tent, This was her first proper wild camping trip, and she seemed to enjoy it. 

Ian at the bar. 

We had a cracking fire going, especially as we burnt all the rubbish left by people who couldn't bothered to take it with them or even burn it themselves. Much like Ben Nevis a few weeks ago - WHY!  

Although it wasn't actually that cold, having a fire is still the best!

The old place looks quite cozy even though there are no (working) windows or doors. Oh, and it's derelict so the roof might cave in anytime!

Tess taking it easy.

Ben Vane, from Glen Finglass - 8th June 2014.

A quick (ish) walk up to Ben Vane from Glen Finglass.
Although it looks like a nice dry day, the heavens did open mid afternoon and it was torrential,
almost winter like. Then the sun came back out. The ground just below Ben Vane itself though is very wet and boggy and staying on the path is almost impossible! 

Glen Finglass reservoir.

Lorna and Tess, with Glen Finglass reservoir behind.

Ben Vane just left of centre. 

Tess getting wet again!

Looking over to Ben Ledi from Ben Vane.

Ben Vane after the rain.

Glen Finglass reservoir from just below Ben Vane.

Scottish snow conditions - 3rd Annual, "Not Quite Touching The Void", Ben Nevis summit camp - 31st May 2014.

All the essential kit required for an overnight camp on the summit of Ben Nevis!  

Jon and Willy, on the track up to the top, North Face car park. Once we'd crossed the Alt a Mhuilin by the wier, we headed crfoss country to the Half Way Lochan. 

Stunning views on the way up, especially over to the Ring of Steal. Note the arrows on the path. These were for the folks taking part in the Rat Race.  

Usual messy snow to cross near and around Gardyloo Gully and the summit.

Luckily, there was just enough snow in between the ruins to get the tent in and away from the passing hordes. Sadly the litter issue is a big problem. There are, jackets, trousers. pants(!), towels, beer cans, champagne bottles, plastic bottles etc everywhere. There were even 2 Asda carrier bags, that were full of rubbish, but thoughtfully tied shut, below the summit shelter. The inside of the shelter is also in a mess.    

On a brighter note, we watched a team of three cross Tower Gap on Tower Ridge: though they did seem to take an interesting line on the exit side of the gap! 

Climbers in Tower Gap. Note the sloping ramp on the left of the gap: the route they took. 

Occaisionally, runners from the Rat Race would arrive at the manned checkpoint at the summit cairn, but eventually, the place quietened down, so I went for a wander over to the North East Buttress end of the plateau.  

Looking back over the North Face from somewhere near the top of Observatory Ridge. 

Hardly any snow left on the CMD Arete, as seen from the top of the North East Buttress.

As the crowds disappeared, and the temperature dropped a little, we got a brief glimpse of a sunset in the distance. The clouds soon cam in though and we were once again alone in the mist. Apart from the guy at the checkpoint, who left at 11pm.  

After a reasonable night, with only a few noisy, excitable folks who'd made it to the top, we struck camp and headed for No 4 Gully. There is still a lot of snow all around the rim of the plateau and gullies to be aware of, especially in the gloomy conditions. No 3 Gully above.    

We had already put on crampons in the hope of descending No 4 Gully, but it was not to be. There was no actual cornice, but a vertical wall of snow, about 3/4 meters. Then a few crack, hole and bergshrund type features, making it too dodgy to attempt to belly flop down onto carrying large packs!     

A rope would've made all the difference in confidence. Once over the difficulties, it would've been straightforward down climbing until the angle eased off. It looked like I wasn't going to use my new DMM Raptors this time around?

The only remaining option was to bumslide the Red Burn, which still complete to just above the waterfall on the bend.

All good fun and much quicker than going down the zig zags.

The last part of the Red Burn down to the waterfall. Always entertaining sliding past the zig zags as peaople slog up, or down the path. 

Two days in Wasdale - 17th / 18th May, 2014. Day 2.

Sheep pushes tree over!

The long plod up through Hollow Stones.

Scafell Pike's north facing crags.

Scafell and Broad Stand from the Mountain Rescue Box.

Lord's Rake from the stretcher box.

Great Gable seen from Scafell Pike.

Back at Stockley Bridge and Seathwaite. 

Two days in Wasdale - 17th / 18th May, 2014. Day 1.

Myself and Jon spent 2 days in Wasdale. Day one was from Seathwaite, up to Styhead Tarn, via Taylor Force Gill. 

From the stretcher box at the tarn, we took the path for the Climbers Traverse, crossing the Hell Gate gullies and the climbers crags.

Spot the climbers on Trophet Wall.

We didn't "Thread the Needle", as we were carrying large packs, so went below,
watching the climbing action as we did so.

Home for the night - Wasdale Head.

Scafells from Great Gable. 

Final look at the Napes Ridges as we descended the scree for the main path to Wasdale. 

Back on solid ground!

A welcome sight.

Great Gable from the campsite at the Wasdale Head Inn.

Two days in Patterdale, May 2014.

The weather was fairly kind to us over the four days (two days walking), we were at Sykeside Farm Campsite in Patterdale. Our first days walk was up to Grisedale Tarn from the Patterdale Hotel. Sadly, although we never got wet , the low cloud and fog meant we saw little of Striding Edge to our right , or St Sunday Crag's summit, or even Pinnacle Ridge to our left.
Equally sad was the fat that the Patterdale Hotel doesn't allow dogs in the bar!

On the second walk, we started at Hartsop, and headed up Threshwaite Cove and left to Thorneythwaite Crag summit (with it's "Beacon" cairn). From there, we went over High Street with a small detour to take a look over Kentmere Reservoir and then back down to Hartsop.