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.

It Starts Here - Hunter Mountaineering

Hunter Mountaineering (www.huntermountaineering.co.uk)

 It starts here - Hunter Mountaineering

I'm going through a re-brand at the moment, and the new name will be Hunter Mountaineering. The new website will be launched later this year. 

Walk To Steall Falls

Alan Kimber Mountaineering

Last Saturday Neil and I met the clients off of the Royal Scotsman to take them for a quick walk to Steall Falls in Glen Nevis. The weather was forecast to be heavy showers, but as it turned out the showers held off until we were back at the train. A couple of people enjoyed the wire bridge, and 2 people had a very wet encounter with the river - but they had dry clothes waiting for them back at the Royal Scotsman. Neil and I took the opportunity to take a look around the inside of the train, and we had to turn down the whisky offered from all directions, but we didn't get away with staying for a meal!

Nice!

A fun day at Outward Bound

Jump in the gorge from Max Hunter on Vimeo.

For a couple of weeks now I'll be working at Outward Bound having some fun with the summer groups. Today we climbed the Gutter in Glen Nevis followed by a quick Gorge walk session in the river, and  some trapeze jumps in the evening - fun for everybody.

One of the higher jumps today

The trapeze jump in the evening

Torridon attempt 2

Well after getting very little time to enjoy the sun this week so far compared to most I'll be heading up to Torridon on Friday for the second attempt; this time with Sam.
The weather doesn't look brilliant but its not going to put us off! We're aiming to get both Liathach and Beinn Eighe done over two days and maybe squeeze something else in if we have time.
We'll be away for the weekend and back on Sunday night as Sam has work and I have clients wanting to get out on the Monday.

I'll post photo's and a wee speel on Sunday night letting you know how the weekend went.

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!

Eton College Silver Expedition

With A to Z Expeditions last week Eton College embarked upon their Silver Qualifying D of E Expedition.

The groups I supervised started their exped, on the 28th, by crossing the Carneddau. The groups showed good navigation and were clearly able to look after themselves.

Tryfan in Ogwen.

This is the spot of the groups wild camp on night 1. These boys had a relatively good nights sleep, but another group at a different wild camp had a disturbance... They had a fly-by from 2 low flying Chenook helicopters. They also passed my camp, but at a safe distance. The low flying helicopters ripped several guide lines and zips on the 2 tents - but the boys were fine and dealt with it really well.

On day 2 the groups were due to cross the Glyderau. It was a perfect opportunity for me to have a fun journey. Ordinary Route on Idwal Slabs, then Cneifion Arete (shown above) on the way up and Hope on the way down.

Here I'm on Cneifion Arete

The top of Cneifion Arete.

Castle of the winds.

Dr Russel taking the obligatory photo of a group on the Cantilever.

The second group approaches...

Day 2 proved to be quite a long day for some, but eventually everybody got to camp. Day 3 started with hill fog covering the top few hundred metres of Snowdon.

My groups went up the Llanberis path (easiest, longest and most popular of the well beaten tracks) and down the Watkin Path eventually back to Llyn Gwynant base camp. The visibility was very poor at the summit, but by now the groups navigation was good in all conditions.

The new cafe at the summit.

The train coming up the track...

My route down was via Crib Goch.

After Garnedd Ugain along Crib y Ddysgl, I came across a couple of men who seemed to be sunbathing! About 2 minutes later the helicopter arrived to evacuate the man with an injured leg.

The groups all got back to camp within good time. They had all successfully completed their Silver D of E Exped in good strong style - Congratulations to you all...

A section of Crib Goch.

To celebrate getting their 'Eton Silver' they enjoyed a BBQ while we drove back to Fort William. I'm glad I'm not working tomorrow.

Eton College

Working for A to Z Expeditions last week I was in Snowdonia as Eton College turned up for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions. I was working with Steve, Ken, Simon and David. We spent a day settling into camp, and going through the required training - eventually we were ready for the next day setting off on the practice Silver exped.

My home from home...

The weather was perfect for training - in other words it had everything, midges by the million on 23rd, plenty of rain on the 24th, hill fog and poor vis on the 25th, finally sun and heat on the 26th.

The Eton boys had only just finished their GCSE's on the 22nd June, so this exped week was their 'WIND DOWN' after exams!!! Their food was army rations for almost the entire 9 days. Luckily these are actually very good and contain about 3000 calories a day.

Steve Ironside from A to Z looking over the 3 groups about to come up the hillside towards the next challenge - Moel Siabod with a rocky finish.

The last run up to the summit of Moel Siabod.

Most of the boys managed to get through the practice phase. Only 1 bad ankle caused 1 drop out. The Practice expedition was tough especially with the very poor weather, but the Qualifying exped was planned to be a romp over all the main hills of Snowdonia - Carneddau, Glyderau, and Snowdon.

So, on the 27th June we re-stocked our food, re-packed our sacks and the groups went through their planning exercise for the following 3 days of their Qualifying Silver Expedition....