Secret Indoor Wall

I was over visiting my girlfriend in Dundee, while she was at work I headed out to do some climbing with mates from my old course. The weather was pretty crap in Dunkeld so they took me to a secret climbing wall in the middle of no where. It had everything needed for a good arm pump!

Dave Laird Cranking Hard

The Garry

Today after college Bridget invited us out for trip down the Garry. The Garry is a wee river that packs a lot of punches but is great fun, with lots to play in. Luckily everyone remembered their armbands today because their was a lot of swimming.

White Water Safety Rescue Training

Over the weekend I have been attending my White Water Safety Training with Jim Gibson (aquaplay). On the first day we spent our time looking at a few rescue scenarios and swimming in the Nevis. On the second day we headed over to Grantown on Spey to do the middle section of the Findhorn. It is an amazing river with loads to play on and loads of fun, it was brilliant and in a beautiful location. The drive home consisted of fantastic views and amazing scenery, I just cannie wait to repeat the journey.

Jim was also kind enough to tell us that you can get 12% discount at abosolutepaddling.co.uk if you type in AQUAPLAY as a promotional code.

Is Winter Still Here?

I am unsure if I am ready to take my Summer Mountain Leader Assessment at the End of May. However I am still trying to get the days in, I didn't start work until six today so i had another opportunity to get out on the hill. So I drove to Kinlochleven and headed out to do Sgurr Eilde Mor. The weather was good for most of the day even though it did start snowing.

Looking down Loch LevenThe Aonagh Eagach Binnein Mor and Ben Nevis from Sgurr Eilde Mor

The Pause (Almost a Year Long Epic)

Today I finally did The Pause (E1 5b****), The last time I attempted this route was the 18th of April 2009. I ended up having to back off at the road-side that day and go to Gearr Aonach to do Yo-yo (E1 5b****) instead. After getting off the hill I was arrested for attempted murder, all charges were dropped (This is the story in the news). Anyway.

The views looking over Loch Etive

I have now climbed three times at the Etive Slabs and every time I climb there it blows my mind. Today the weather was absolutely gorgeous (I went home looking like a boiled lobster!) we didn't see one cloud in the sky or anyone else for the entire day.Tom and myself went for The Pause, Jamie and Jamie climbed Spartan Slab (VS 4c****).

Tom on the walk in with the slabs in the back ground.

The Etive Slabs are an incredibly unique rock feature, therefore it is hard to describe the climbing, exposure and situations they have to offer. For this reason and the beautiful weather is why I have uploaded lots of photo's.

Jamie on the First Pitch of Spartan Slab

Tom in the second pitch of The Pause

Tom on the third pitch, 5b

Tom cruising the crux moves

I added lots of these pictures because they really show how featureless the granite can be.

Tom making use of the Limited Edition 'LA-Z-BOY Belay Pro'

Fun in the Sun and Dry Rock

After a dull day at college Lee, Jamie, Craig and Myself headed out to Scimitar Buttress at Poll Dubh to get some quick routes done. After such a long winter, I started on the easy routes to get used to using my hands again. On starting our first route, diagonal (VS 4c*), we noticed scratch marks caused by crampons which is really not acceptable in Poll Dubh.

Me on Diagonal (VS 4c*)

Me on Fingertip Finale (E4 5c*)

For a workout we put a top rope on Fingertip Finale and Precious Cargo (E5 6a*). The climbing and moves were not too difficult but it was far too bold to justify going for the routes.

All Work and no play makes Graham a dull boy

I was looking forward to the Easter holidays, two weeks off college. I was thinking this would give me loads of time to go out and play, I was wrong.
So far over the two weeks since my last post I have bagged two munro's, Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill. The hills were completely covered in snow, so much for getting the summer hill days in, I was able to see some fine views from the top however I forgot my camera that day.
I also had a wee play down at the Leven when I had some time between work at the Ice Factor and work at the hotel.
Now I need to get rid of this cold I've caught and get the hill days in.

Spirngtime in the Fort

Due to the horrible weather I didn't spend the night in the hills. I was quite glad after I woke up in my nice warm bed and saw that the snow had dropped down to near sea level.
With no chance of getting any Summer Mountain Days now we decided to hit our local river. The Roy was running really low everything was a scrape so we had to find other ways to entertain ourselves.