Real Adventures

I have been working with Dan Robinson and Real Adventure over the past four days in the Lake District. It was great fun to be back working with Dan and good to visit new places and work with old friends again.
I was working with 9 girls from Malvern College for four days . Together we Kayaked and Canoed on Ullswater, walked over Birkhouse Moor and gorge walked up Red Tarn Beck.

2 Star Assessment

I was over at Loch Eil running a two star assessment at Outward Bound for the West Highland College. We went over the fundamentals and the basic skills ranging from forward paddling to capsizing.  A well done to all the candidates and I hope to see them on the water soon.

 John doing a T rescue

 

3 men and a boat

Sunny Times on Loch Eil

I was working with school groups through Nevis Canoe Club today, the sun was shinning and the Loch wasn't actually that cold so there wasn't too many screams when the kids jumped in the water.


The calm before the storm

Outward Bound

I have spent the last four days working for Outward Bound at their Loch Eil centre. Which is a organisation which has contributed to outdoor adventure education for over 60 years. While at the centre I was with a group of young people from Fettes College. It was an absolute pleasure to work with such a great group, who did themselves and their school proud. I had a great time kayaking, canoeing and on the last two days I headed out on expedition with them and played a rather infamous game of telepathy snatchy grabby.

Rowing to our destination

Heading into the wilderness

Loch Eil

I was out on Loch Eil with a School group for the Highland Council. Introducing the kids to their first time in a Kayak, we played with played with ducks (the rubber variety) and got really wet!

The Wrong Activity

It was another college day today, the sun was shinning, not a breath of wind and the hills were gleaming white. It was safe to say nobody wanted to get into a swimming pool and practise Kayaking before going out onto Loch Eil.

Looking out from Mallaig swimming pool.

Perfect weather

To be fair I was just happy to be going outside after a month of terrible weather, rubbish conditions college, work and flu getting in the way of climbing. Apart from the odd session at the indoor wall I am beginning to have withdrawal symptoms. Hopefully this will change tomorrow.

Vertical Air

Nearing the end of my Work Experience and I have been with Vertical Air. Doing a variety of activities such as Rock Climbing at Twistleton, Canoeing and Kayaking at Devils Bridge, Caving at Longchurns and Ghyll Scrambling in Yorkshire. Last day tomorrow!

Coniston Water

After a scary day abseiling yesterday The Cheetah Girls, Nigel and I had a chilled day on Coniston. We started off in the kayaks playing some games and then headed over to hidden harbour for a spot of lunch. The Kayaks were then swapped for canoes which turned out to be a pointless exercise. Since more time was spent in the water than in the canoes but everyone was having a great time so I joined them when it came to jumping off the pier.

Climbing and Kayaking

This morning I had to drive home from Dundee so I could head out climbing. However the weather wasn't too great so we, Al and me, postponed activities for later in the day. I was hoping that this wasn't going to clash with the Kayaking sessions I said I would help out with for the Nevis Canoe Club.
Anyway Al and I eventually headed down the Glen towards Gorge Crag. Al had his eye on an E1 and I was just happy to hold onto some dry rock. Al made great progress up the route and looked really steady, a quick rest before the crux and then he went for it. After trying a few pulls up then trying to put an ankle above his head. 'TAKE' came the shout then he was off (when he fell I got a great photo seen above). Al took a good five metres whip but quickly got back on and topped out.

Al leading 'All our Yesterdays' E1 5b**

After the route we called it a day and I went home and grabbed my kayaking kit and met up with the Canoe Club. Unfortunately I seem to have managed to delete the kayaking pictures but I will try and find them and get them up.

More Kayaking Sessions

I had more kayaking sessions today, at Loch Eil. I find it really funny how all the kids panic and worry about the kayak capsizing because they don't want to get wet. Then at the end they all ask if they can jump in the water.

Luke, the seal, came out to say hello again today. I am not sure if this is his real name but everyone else seems to call him this.

Luke

The Seal of Approval

Lee, Thomas and I have to do Kayak and Canoe coaching sessions with the local primary schools for college. The sessions are great fun however the most exciting thing was a seal that came out to sunbathe.