14th Aug, Spartan Slab, Glen Etive

Lena gearing up for the first pitch of Spartan Slab VS. The slab was only just about dry enough really, and unfortunatley we didn't have any wind - so the midges were our companions for the entire climb - almost enough to make you abseil retreat and run, run, run.... So here Lena sports her midge net - a good look ;)

Lena on the first pitch. We had to climb with our midge nets on. The midges did however still get to our faces, necks, hands, arms and feet - enough to drive you mad ! At the end of this pitch, Lena found gear for an abseil retreat from the previous team. Rather than use it and escape, we took it out and decided to man up and finish the last 5 pitches...



Glen Etive

The traverse pitch

The awkward step across move. There are few holds on the slab.

Made it...

The weather was just about good enough for a climb on the Saturday. so we headed for Glen Etive. Hopefully next time we get here the midges will be gone and the rock won't be seeping as much - that'll be time for the friction testpieces...

Etive Slabs And Midges

Alison starting up The Long Reach ****

Alison Culshaw was free for a spot of climbing, so after catching up in a cafe, we got to Etive Slabs, wondering weather we would get a shower during the climb, or a horrific midge experience. We started off on The Long Reach. At the end of the first pitch, we thought maybe we didn't have time to finish the full climb, so we moved onto Spartan Slab - which is always great.

Alison on pitch 3 of Spartan Slab ****

Alison leading up pitch 4 of Spartan Slab

Alison coming up pitch 1 of Raspberry Ripple **

After getting off Spartan Slab, back at the bags, we realised we did still have some time, so we went off to find Raspberry Ripple. We found it in one guide book - and we think that's what we climbed! This is when the midges came out - and we pretty much ran back to the car to escape - midges always seem to win, and send everybody home. When we left, 2 other teams left at the same time - just leaving one team to enjoy the midges as they finished The Pause.

A great day on the slabs - although I was climbing with a midge net on at one point!!