One Out of Three

I had to run up the Ben after work today. One of my friends from school had come up to start the three peak challenge with his work colleagues. So I went along for some moral support and to see how he was getting on.

Still snow on the Summit

Sun setting over lochaber

The guys finished and good time and managed to raise over £3000 pounds for Marie Curie Cancer Care and every penny raised their company matched.

Its that time of year again!

I started the first of my trips to Garry today with Dave and John. We had a quick blast and spent lots of time in the whole.

The Long Reach

The weather in lochaber was rather different to the usual we get in these parts. Which as good because I had a day off, climbing partners and a plan! We took the long drive down to the bottom of Glen Etive and walked to the slabs in t-shirts.
The route was bone dry and gave us some fantastic situations and climbing. I think the slabs has to be one of my favourite climbing venues.

Looking for a way through

Neil finding his feet

The Big Question

So the day has finally arrived, I have been planning this since January and I can't believe it is already here.
I didn't want to be twiddling my thumbs all day so Guy, Lee and I headed to my local crag to use up the morning. Once there, I got straight on to Promontory Direct (HVS 5a) then Guy led up Knock Back (E1 5b). I hadn't realised how much work had gone on at Auchinstarry but the car park wall has been completely changed, however this has caused a lot of dust and debris to left over, which means it will be a while before all the dust will be cleaned off the crag.
We headed to the back of the quarry which is still nice and clean. We climbed Cracked Arête (VS 4c) and then over to trundle slab to climb Walk on the Wild Side (HVS 5a), Trundle (VS 4c) and finished on the Gold Bug (E3 5c).

Guy taking a Walk on the Wilde Side

Lee on Trundle

Craig happy on Trundle

After a couple of hours we had to leave sharpish to go and set up the hall for the  engagement party  (that she didn't know about) and big question! So after eight years together I proposed to my girlfriend, she said yes!

Dumbarton Rock

Guy and I headed south because we are going to be spending a few days in Glasgow. Before we got there we stopped off at Dumbarton Rock, neither of us had been there before so we didn't know what to expect. Guy warmed up on an E1 called Longbow, which was a brilliant crack climb with some great moves. I was up next and I went for the HVS called Windjammer, my head wasn't in the right place. So I decided not to try anything stupid it would be a very bad idea for me to get injured at the moment, Guy took my place instead.
To stay safe we got on the sport routes after putting the clips in Guy made a clean lead of Persistence of Vision (7a+). I linked all the moves but will need to come back to do it clean.

The great overhanging head wall at Dumbarton

I wouldn't agree with this young persons opinion

Guy on persistence of vision

Bolt Clippin

The weather is still gorgeous in Lochaber so I am not letting it go to waste. I was hoping to head up into the the hills howevermy climbing partner had to be back early so we headed out towards Glen Finnan for some bolt clipping.

Johann on 7a+

Here Comes the Sun

The Sun has been out in force over the past couple of days however I have been doing nothing but nursing a sprained ankle. Although today I thought I should test it out on some easy rock climbs so Craig and I headed down the glen. We weren't the only ones enjoying the sun the fair weather climbers had also come out of hibernation.
We headed straight up to Styx buttress and I led us up Iche (VS 5a*). After abbing down Craig jumped on to Ressurection (VS 4c***), then I had a go at Damnnation (VS 4c**), after which the sun was at its highest point and we were melting, and had to call it a day.

Me on Iche