Aonach Eagach, Glencoe - 29th June 2014.

At last, good weather in Scotland and a chance to revisit the Aonach Eagach. This would include Ruth's 5th munro, Meall Dearg, and 4th Munro, Sgorr nam Fiannaidh (left) to do, and Lorna's first real return to scrambling. 

Looking down Glencoe.

Ben Nevis, almost free of snow    .

The first down climb, which is easier than it looks, or how it's described in some books. 

Looking back up at the down climb.

It's probably easier to slip on the slabby bits covered in loose stuff. 

The team up into to sun.

Cracking view of the ridge to come.

One of the many pinnacles to negotiate. 

And another.

And another.

More ridge to come.

Even more ridge!

Looking back over the route.

The last of the snow hanging on in the gullies and corries.

Sgorr nam Fiannaidh. Only three more Munro's to go now for Ruth.

Some of the Aonach Eagach as seen from Glencoe.

Glenoce, looking East.

Wild camp - Ore Gap, Lake District, 21st June 2014.

Heading into the Langstrath valley from Stonethwaite, on a very warm Saturday afternoon.
 Lots of folks out and about especially at the various rock pools on the way.  

The zig - zags at Stake Beck, near the end of the Langstrath valley. Well made path great to walk up and great for the mountain bikers that were coming down it.  

Once we'd got to the top of the zig - zags, and Stake Pass, we got the first view of The Great Slab and Bowfell, from a different angle for a change.  

After passing the descent for Langdale, we made our way along to Angle Tarn.

Surprisingly., there were only two tents at the tarn, but we continued on up to Ore Gap. 

Alpine style cairn just before Ore Gap where pitched the tent.

At dusk, I took Tess for an extra walk over Esk Pike
 with views over Esk Hause and the Scafell's.  

Looking over Grange over Sands (I think?) from Esk Hause. 

Derwent Water and Keswick from Esk Pike.

Tess on Esk Pike at Dusk, with the route to Scafell behind on the skykline.

A glorious summer's morning at Ore Gap, with Bowfell behind.  

A poop with a view!

Tess, cooling down in Angle Tarn on our way back down to Langstrath.  

Spot the climbers on Eagle (Heron) Crag.

"Tilly's Barn", near Stonethwaite Farm campsite.

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.