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Way back in time before the onset of adulthood I enjoyed countless days heading into the hills of Yorkshire with nothing more than a squashed sandwich & youthful sense for adventure! Despite long past youthful and work commitments keeping me in the city, the sense of adventure and love for the outdoors never left me. After digging my boots out and returning to the hills I attended a number of courses to improve my hill knowledge and skill base, during one of these courses it was suggested I join the Mountain Leader Training scheme and was delighted go on to gain the MOUNTAIN LEADER Award in April 2012. As well as spending time on the hills and mountains of the UK I have also enjoyed trips to the Nepalese Himalaya, Swiss & French Alps, Mallorca’s Tramuntana, Andorran & French Pyrenees, Morocco’s High Atlas, Tanzania’s Mt Meru & Kilimanjaro, Argentinian & Chilean Patagonia and winter expeditions to Norway’s Hardangervidda. Since gaining the ML I have also gained the SINGLE PITCH AWARD, INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN LEADER AWARD and the WINTER MOUNTAIN LEADER AWARD. I am now enjoying working in a freelance role whilst trying to get out climbing as much as possible.
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Thursday 11 February 2016

Saving The Legs.

Wednesday saw me travel from the Cairngorms over to the West Highlands and to the hills alongside Loch Lochy.
Looking Back Along Cam Bealach

 I chose these hills as they I hadn't been in this area before and would be new ground and practise of some Winter Mountain Leader skills, more importantly I could put them in my log book towards finally getting the award signed off.

 I set out along the forest track and was soon heading up  Cam Bealach and into the snow line.

 I chose to walk up to the summit of Meall Dubh (837m) which may, as it turned out, have been a little over ambitious. Ascending fairly steeply and in knee deep snow at times my legs were soon calling for a break. I think the recent routine of driving up overnight before doing a route then sleeping somewhere before a route the next day then driving home is taking its toll and I am basically tired from the hundreds of miles I'm driving and from missing nights sleeping.
Not far to go now though.

Quite Steep Walking up Meall Dubh!
 As I descended and looked at Meall ma Teagna I decided I didn't have the hunger for it that day, I still had Sron a Choire Ghairbh and the long walk off to do followed by the 7hr drive home! I have also started some climbing coaching sessions to get ready for the summer which didn't want to spoil by being burnt out.

 I instead opted to to head up Sron a Choire Ghairbh and start in a homeward direction, I wasn't even half way but to know I was going in the direction towards the finish was a big moral boost.

 After reaching the summit I turned and handrails the corniced edge towards the ridge.

 The ridge was easing and not really a challenge as it was fairly wide though there was heavy cornicing to be aware of.

View through the Great Glen and onto Loch Ness
Loch Lochy
 The circular route took me just under 7hours, which was just less than it took me to drive home and narrowly avoid being taken out by a HGV in Glencoe.

 A good day all in all, had some navigation to do as the weather closed in occasionally and ticked a few boxes for me.
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