Archive for February, 2011
A Tactical Retreat from the Forcan Ridge
February 28th, 2011 Posted 7:50 pm
I’d been told that there wasn’t much snow left on the South Shiel ridge so Rick and I devised a vague plan of heading up the Forcan Ridge to the Saddle and then heading east along the South Shiel ridge until we got tired, we’d then head off down one the smaller ridges back to civilisation.
We only made it about halfway along the Forcan Ridge – we were in our running gear, no axes or crampons – when we decided we’d better back track before we got into difficulty. We knew we could down climb everything we’d covered so far but we had arrived at a steep icy section that didn’t look fun to reverse and we knew from previous experience that there is a hairy traverse later on where crampons would be very useful. We decided today wasn’t our day to appear on Channel 5’s Highland Emergency, besides, Rick had to be back for 5pm so there wasn’t time to hang around for a helicopter rescue.
We back-tracked to the bealach and then headed up to Sgurr na Sgine, the next Munro to the east, and then continued to the next hill, Sgurr a’ Bhac Chaolais, at least we would have done if Rick hadn’t talked me into traversing round it on a ledge he’d spotted from the previous summit. We traversed halfway round but ended up with no option but to ascend to the summit anyway, still we got to see a side of the mountain most people don’t …the steep north side!
We continued up to the next Munro, Creag nan Damh, where we fueled up on homemade coconut ice (thanks to Rick’s good lady wife) before backtracking west for 2 km and heading down the good path from Bealach Duibh Leac for a steady (if a little icy) 4km back to the car.
Nice to be out on the hills again after what feels like a very long time, especially on a great blue sky day like today. I could get used to having a grandma around to help look after things – thanks Mum!
–Matt
Posted in Hill Bagging, The Great Outdoors
Glen Nevis Cragging
February 11th, 2011 Posted 3:03 pm
As a reward for getting the hostel done I sloped off to Polldubh crags down in Glen Nevis for a spot of climbing with Rick who’s caught the climbing bug again. I was never much of a climber (quiet at the back Phil!) and haven’t been out for the best part of two years….sweaty palms, shaking legs, the blind scrabble for hand holds, tangled ropes, uncomfortable rock boots, fumbling with gear trying to get it the rock so you don’t hurtle down to your doom…. just how I remember it, great fun!
Rick heading towards the top of Pine Wall
We managed half a dozen easy routes (Pine Wall, Right Wall, Tear etc.) before the sun came down, most of the routes we’d done before but it was great to be out in the sunshine instead of covered in dust and paint sorting things in the hostel. Hopefully we’ll find time to get out again soon.
-Matt
Posted in The Great Outdoors
We are open (and looking good!)
February 10th, 2011 Posted 10:24 am
We are finally open after the burst pipes we got for Christmas, it’s been a lot of hard work (isn’t January supposed to be a quiet month?) but while the builders were in fixing ceilings and floors we took the opportunity to get lots of other jobs done….we think it was worth the effort and hope you do too when you see it.
A couple of snaps for you (click for bigger)….
Anyway, it’ll soon be busy season….see you soon!
Posted in The Hostel
