Beinn a Chaorainn, East Ridge

On the approach to the East Ridge

Chris climbing - his clients look on - they know they've got to follow !

Myself with Nial and Shaun

We followed the knife edged ridge as much as we could

Chris at the front checking out the route - check out the shades!

Wish every day was like this. We all have sunburn now !

On the way down

Working with Zac and Chris again. We decided to finish our mountaineering course with an ascent of the East Ridge of Beinn a Chaorainn. We all had our shades packed. But nobody had suncream - error ! I think I've got panda eyes..

How long can this weather carry on for - I don't want to jinx it. Fingers crossed.

Aonach An Nid, Skills

Ian waist belaying in a bucket seat - who knows what'll happen next...

Watch out Ian, he's fallen

Picking up Speed

A happy ending. Ian stopped him.

Everybody is proud of their Igloo - good effort

Working with Zac and Chris on day 3 of the mountaineering course. We woke up to thick and heavy snow on a light wind in Fort William. There was about 10cm of fresh snow on the car in the morning, all the roads were white and the snow flakes were as big as tea bags (round tetley ones !). Unbelievable - although maybe it is given the winter we've had so far. We had to think of somewhere to go, that would be possible to drive to, safe - considering the high avalanche hazard, and a venue where we can cover the new mountaineering hard skills. We made our way to Aonach Mor.

We found at least 1ft of fresh snow at 650m.

We covered bucket seats, waist belaying, buried axes, snow bollards, abseiling, snow holes, shovel ups and igloo construction. We made the best igloo I've seen all season.

Tomorrow we'll find a safe venue for a simple climb..

My camera broke yeaterday, so yesterday's and today's photos have been on my emergency camera - my phone.. Got to get camera fixed. Got to use my new shovel today. My last one is stuck as a belay at the top of White Shark - Will I ever get it back? lol

Mamores, Na Gruagaichean

Loch Linnhe, early morning

Buachaille Etive Mor and beyond from the Mamores

Glencoe

The Buachaille

Winter navigation after leaving the summit Sgor Eilde Beag

Loch Leven

Again working with Zac and Chris, today was day 2 of the Mountaineering Course. We headed for the Mamores and planned a day to put into practice the skills we covered yesterday. We did a clockwise circuit covering Sgor Eilde Beag and Na Gruagaichean.

The weather has been stunning this season and today was no exception. The views were breathtaking. .

Learning Skills on Aonach Mor

This week I'm working for Jagged Globe on a mountaineering course. Today we took the group to Aonach Mor for Day 1, to develop the skills we'll need for the rest of the week. At the top the group were working in 40mph ice blasting winds, learning how to do ropework, wearing goggles and gloves etc. Well done for keeping focused in difficult conditions on day 1.

Tomorrow we're forecast Easterly winds 45 - 70mph, so that makes today's wind good practice ...