Sunset at 5pm

Sunset over Loch Eil. 5pm today.

Don't forget to pack your headtorch, new batteries and your camera!

A Quick Paddle

The mist clears to reveal Ben Nevis in the background

Working for Outward Bound today Matt led a morning paddle across Loch Eil. The thick sea level morning mist slowly cleared and revealed the Ben in the distance. I had my winter tyres fitted yesterday, so middle autumn is here and winter is in sight. This morning, most of us had our first morning of scraping ice off our windows - happy days of snow and ice are ahead ...

A clear view of the autumnal Ben Nevis

Outward Bound

Miss Sarah Hamilton on the 'Travelator'.

Today I was working with Al at Outward Bound Loch Eil. Today was very windy and dashed all ideas of watersports on the loch with the group. However we had an excellent morning in Glen Nevis on Scimitar ridge followed by on grounds activities in the afternoon.

Scimitar ridge was busy today and so several groups get their turn at the exciting scrambling available in Glen Nevis..

Take a look at my FACEBOOK PAGE ...

West Coast Of Scotland

Last week I went on a mini expedition with Outward Bound (Loch Eil) (National Citizenship Service) to a secret little spot on the west coast of Scotland. In fact not very secret (Smirisary beach) - but we did have it to ourselves for the 24hours we were there. The group loved it, and the temperatures were so high that the evening activities completely consisted of messing about in the water, and playing in the sand. It was obviously one of my toughest expeds!

Some of the group loving the sunset colours

The sunset was stunning

The Challenge At Outward Bound

This week I was working at Outward Bound in Scotland and the course was 'The Challenge'.. The post year 11 students were from Manchester this week and we definitely had a lot to stretch them with this week. We started with climbing, abseiling and scrambling in Glen Nevis, above.

On the rock day I worked with John Cuthbertson from Snowgoose Mountain Centre. John also used to work at Outward Bound. He also used to work on Gower in South Wales, so we talked about our favourite sea cliff climbs.

Steall Falls on day 1 of our 2 day expedition.

The southern side of Ben Nevis. Carn Dearg nearly visible in the swirling mist on the left.

On day 1 of our exped we crossed the wire bridge over the 'Water of Nevis'. Two winters ago this river was frozen (when we were all climbing Steall Falls) and I walked across.

Paul, the senior mentor for the team, was the last to cross.

Binnein Beag visible on the southern side of Glen Nevis, as we were on our ascent of Meall Cumhann on the northern side - With Ben Nevis further north of us.

After the exped, we got back to the centre and went on our water day which was gorge walking in the Dubh Lighe near Glenfinnan. An awesome day of gorge walking with jumps, slides and sumps! I even got to practice my forward flips and backflips (not perfected yet - still turns into a face plant!).

So a great week comes to an end and they move onto their next adventure in week 2 of 'The Challenge'. Next week I hope to be have an adventure somewhere too... I'll probably be caving in Porth yr Ogof, and climbing in Morlais Quarry!

Outward Bound

Last week I was working for Outward Bound. I was running a course called Serious Adventure for a group of people who came together and met on the course.

The Sat - Sat course was a great success, and included a 3 day expedition in challenging conditions. The group really came together during the week and I think some lasting friendships were made. Congratulations to the whole group for the success they achieved.

Ledge Route Again

There was little, to no wind on the north face today

Today I was again on Ledge Route on Ben Nevis for Outward Bound, but this time with the MacDonald Clan on their Classic Course. The weather was hot - summer has ahold of Scotland at last. There were a few clouds, but I put more suncream on than any other day this year so far - fantastic.

On the way down on the Ben Pony/Tourist/Mountain path, I thought I had seen everything, until I saw a woman topless walking on the path! It was hot and sticky weather, but this isn't British!

I am re-branding to Hunter Mountaineeering (www.huntermountaineering.co.uk), so watch this space for my new website in the Autumn. However you can make enquiries now via email on max@maxhunter.co.uk

Castle Ridge

Matt Lander about to run up Castle Ridge with his Classic Adventure Outward Bound group

On Wednesday I was working for Outward Bound. Matt has a Classic Adventure Course group and he wanted to challenge them with the North Face of the Ben - so we headed off to Castle Ridge. Matt split the group between himself, Dave Buckett and myself. The weather forecast looked like we could be lucky and possibly avoid all the rain, thunder and lightening.

Dave Buckett

We did manage to enjoy the entire climb on perfect dry rock - wearing t-shirts and suncream - a fantastic climb.

Matt bringing his group up Castle Ridge

We had about 4 drops of rain on the way up, and the heavens nearly opened on us on the way down, but we were lucky with only a light shower. We did however see the thunder storms all about us. There was one particular storm over Loch Lochy which covered Lena and her group up a munro in the storm.

Storm clouds brewing - bringing thunder and lightening. One unfortunate group was at the top of a munro inside the storm - leading to a well managed safe outcome

Classic Exped

The start of the 3 day exped near Kinloch Laggan

 Outward Bound - Loch Eil - Classic Adventure

On Sunday I met up with the MacDonald Clan on the first day of their OB Classic Adventure. On Monday we set off on day 1 of their first multi day expedition. This time it was a 2 night walking expedition. Day 1 was relatively simple, with only minor hills, no rain, and few midges. Yesterday however, the group had to climb a munro in persistent heavy rain and often strong winds. This was the first camping adventure for several of the group, as well as the first munro for most of the group. First languages around the group ranged from Polish to Italian, to Russian, and French! Many in the group wanted to develop their mental toughness, and learn new skills in a supportive friendship environment, in the Scottish Highlands. Testing it definitely was, but by the time they got to camp they were buzzing and new friendships were growing. 

The sandy beach at the end of Loch Laggan

It won't be dry weather forever!

A peaceful campsite in the highlands

Noodles for lunch

The summit of Creag Pitridh (924m)

Looking back down on the campsite

It can be a bit windy on the tops

I am re-branding to Hunter Mountaineeering (www.huntermountaineering.co.uk), so watch this space for my new website in the Autumn.

First Night In A Tent This Year

We had great views of Muck, Eigg and Rum from the Ardnish Penninsula

Outward Bound - Teams and Leaders Course

On Wednesday I chose the Ardnish Penninsula as the destination for our expedition. We were set to head out and camp near the Peanmeanach Bothy on the West coast. The weather was absolutely perfect - dry, cold and clear. The group did say it was a little cold for them, but they would have noticed the poor West Coast weather if it decided to arrive! We even got several snow flurries which added to the atmosphere. The sunset on the beach was brilliant, but better was seeing the moon rise over the hillside and see it traverse the clear sky all night over our tents. She shadows cast by the moon of our tents was almost as intense as the day time shadows. With this night time light it felt like we could have been inside the arctic circle. It was a cold night, and with my thin bag, made me start to think about Alpine bivvying - and plans for the summer! Scottish porridge for breakfast brought me back home.

My winter work is now over and my first week of spring work is now done, so on the agenda now is a little climbing holiday to a great venue in Great Britian, where everybody seems to be heading for some reliable winter climbing conditions - Fort William - Brilliant. Time to get the axes out again. 

We had great views looking over towards snowy Moidart

Peanmeanach Bothy at the SW edge of the Penninsula - can you spot the 7 tents?

It was a great sunset, and even better night, with a full moon, clear all night with no clouds

It was just the right level of challenge for the group. They were still tired after getting to the top of Aonach Mor on Tuesday, and they were definitely tired by the end of the expedition.

Ben Nevis on Thursday

Busy On The Wye

Several Army groups getting ready to get on the river

Practicing T rescues

Practicing rescues

Chris and Helen enjoying a day on the river

Smile for the photo

We had a good day on the Wye with the Army Suts today. I then randomly bumped into a couple of friends - Chris and Helen. Chris used to work at Loch Eil, and Helen still does. Chris now lives down here... Hope they had fun - the river was very low !

White Shark, Aonach Mor, Shark Buttress

Lena on a steep bit before the peg belay. The belay was fully buried in ice. I dug out half of it.

Lena discovers her axes are blunt

I was keen to check out the East face of Aonach Mor. I was with Lena from Outward Bound, Loch Eil. We found PYB out and about on Aonach Mor as well - some were heading for Morwind. We abseiled down into Easy Gully - the Cornice was solid but undercut. We found White Shark and made a start. It's graded IV, 4 and earns every penny, steep and exciting. The first good stretch of climbing ends at a good peg belay on the left. This was followed by the steepest section, the steep ice fall up the corner, up onto easier ground. There is currently no gap in the enormous cornice, so I arranged a couple of abseils and got off. We knew we'd have trouble climbing out of Easy, so we traversed off and made the Gondola. The climb earns all it's 3 stars.

The crag currently has large cornices capping most climbs. In many places they're forming a roof of several metres. We found another team abseiling out of Jet Stream due to cornice trouble.