Ardnamurchan - 29th April

Lena starting Ring of Fire (HVS 5a**)

We all decided to head back to Meall an Fhir-Eoin for our second day (most people's 3rd day). It's a place where everybody can choose a climb to suit them (lots of slabs, walls, corners, and overhanging cracks), and still chat to the neighbouring teams. Lena started on Ring of Fire which is a varied, excellent HVS - on perfect rock again.

Lena on the hand traverse of Ring of Fire

Lena at the finishing wall of Ring of Fire - even though the friction is huge, there are some tricky 5a moves on the last wall.

Clear blue skies, and normally nobody to be seen for miles, but this weekend there were quite a few teams there.

I'm about to do battle with Mirka (E2 5c**)

It was my turn to choose a lead. I'd been eyeing up a steep overhanging crack called Mirka. I normally avoid anything steep, so it was time to work the weakness! Unfortunately, after the climb, steep and overhanging is still my weakness!! After I finished the pitch, Lena walked up it, cleaning the gear on the way, only pausing for the photos!

Matt cruising Mirka (E2 5c**) - later Ken did the same

Lena about to attack the crack of Etna (E1 5b**)

Lena was now looking for a bigger challenge and so it was time for her first E1 - Etna. The steep wall has a crack which has some steep 5b moves - for most people. I can just get my fingers into the upper crack, but for somebody shorter, it is 5c, needing to put in some additional moves to get to the crack!

The crux of Etna was 5b for me because I could easily reach the upper crack holds, but 5c for Lena, doing 5 intermediate moves!

As the skin on the fingers wore out, so time ran out and we had to leave Ardnamurchan, and it's blue skies.

Back to work this week, but after being on a climbing trip for so long, I think I've forgotten what day it is!! At the moment, every day is a Sunnyday in Fort William.