NOT QUITE - TOUCHING THE VOID

Where is Curved Ridge!? 29th Janaury 2012.

2012-01-30T06:29:00.000-08:00

After a dark-o-clock start, myself, Gordon, Mark and Willy arrived at the Lagangarbh car park at about 0715. We kitted up in the dark and set off in search of Curved Ridge. As we walked in and it became light we started to get a little concerned about actually finding the start in the very low hill fog that was shrouding the Buchaille. Having done Curved Ridge several times in summer, we knew it can be a bit tricky at the best of times to spot it from below (it's easy from the road though!).

A brief stop in the gloom by the Waterslide Slab. Even here visibility was still poor. Our first mistake was to go a little too far past the slab before ascending and heading back right to end up above it. However giving the very poor visibility, I'm not sure we would've found the base of the route that easily anyhow. As it was it soon became clear (and so did visibility - briefly) that we were too far left with the possibility of ending up on D Gully Buttress. In the end, discretion became the better part of valour and we traversed and descended back to the Waterslide area of the mountain, still with no clear view of anything above us.
As it was, we had the ropes out and placed the odd runner here and there to keep things safe, plus a belay or two for some tricky "lowers", and eventually made our way back to the car.

We decided to stop at the Kings House Hotel for a refreshment almost got a clear view of the Buchaille in the company of a Deer Stag in the hotel car park!
As they say, you win some, you lose some and in the end we did the right thing by not blindly continuing up onto to possibly more dangerous ground.

Deer Stag keeping a close eye on us whilst he poses for the camera!

Images from Soll, January 2012

2012-01-23T12:25:00.000-08:00

Bluebird day over the Hohe Salve, in Soll.

Fresh tracks under the Stockl Lift - Ski Welt.

Making fresh tracks in a natural (ish) halfpipe near Soll in Austria.

Amazing amounts of artificial snow to ride over!

Lorna, Lenny and myself enjoying a drink below the Hohe Salve - Hochsoll.

The wee ones showing no fear.

Lenny winning first prize overall at the ski school!

A very quiet home run down to Soll, before the tea time carnage starts!

Icicles...

The Runnel, Coire an t-Sneachda, 8th Januray 2012

2012-01-08T23:51:00.001-08:00

The forecast suggested east would be best, so myself and Mark took a trip to the northern corries to see what was available. The temperature was about 4-5c at the car park which wasn't good, although there was some ice underfoot on the way in to Coire an t-Sneachda. It was clear that most of the corrie was bare, but some of the gully lines still seemed complete.

There were still quite a few people about though, with several winter skills parties doing their thing in various slopes around the corrie. We saw and heard teams heading for the Mess of Pottage area, some around Aladdin's Mirror and a few in the Trident gullies. Also some teams below Fiacaill Buttress and some hardy souls on Fiacaill Ridge hoping to beat the forecasted increase in wind later in the day.


Originally the plan was to go for Spiral Gully, but I couldn't see if it was complete and wasn't too sure of the start of the route. I saw a team in Crotched Gully which looked a little bare in the middle where it bears right. It may have been possible to cut across right from there to get into Spiral, but again I wasn't sure if it it was complete. So we decided on Central Gully after gearing up at the stretcher box. We headed up the snow bay to the start of the route when I realised we should've gone left into to bay that leads up to Central Left Hand. So we were in The Runnel now! I didn't tell Mark till higher up but it was all straightforward enough.

Looking back down The Runnel now that we were committed to doing it. Although the wasn't any neve to speak of, the snow was steppy with enough grip to stop it giving way on every step.

We moved together for practice, placing runners on the way up until we reached the team in front who were belaying a little way below the crux chimney. From here the snow became a mix of just snow, snow-ice or ice which made the route more interesting.

We chose to belay at the very bottom of the chimney, just to the right, to avoid any falling bits. The chimney was entertaining stuff for our level, with grooves of either ice or snow-ice to climb, and the occasional rock placement for axe or feet.

Looking down after the first icy, bulge section, where it eases of a little.

Looking up at the final icy step (more to the right) which leads to easier angled ground as the gully opens up onto the plateau. Again this was good fun with views to the climbs left and right as you gain height.

Fortunately due to the wind scoured summit, it was easy to find a rock belay and sit in comfort as I brought Mark up. However the wind was just starting to pick up, so we had a quick bite to eat before we struggle our way over to 1141 and down to the car park.

Belayer at the top of Central Left Hand (I think?).

Broken ankle to skiing in 4 months!

2011-12-31T11:40:00.000-08:00

This was Lorna, Just over four months ago in hospital in Switzerland after the accident on the NNE Ridge of the Eginner above Saas Fee. Back then we weren't sure just how much of a recovery Lorna would make, especially when you see the dramatic pictures of the external fixator and then the scars and stitches from the operations. We also have to mention the excellent work of the doctors and nurses in Visp hospital where the treatment was first class!

One of many gruesome photos that have been taken since the accident! It's hard to believe that someone would be able to stand on an ankle in this state. However, in June 2012, Lorna hopes to take part in the Cateran Yomp to walk either 22, 36 or 54 miles in 24 hours to raise money for soldiers charities. You can sponsor her here : Cateran Yomp.

And now this! Although don't be misled. It is an amazing recovery so far, but ironically, skiing is easier than walking at the moment! Training for the Cateran Yomp may be much harder, plus we have the North East Buttress of the Ben still to do this year???

Glenshee, 18th December 2011

2011-12-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

A last minute decision meant myself and Ian headed for Glenshee today for a half days skiing. Ruth and Lorna, speant most of day between the two cafes drinking hot chocolate! Looking up the new (not yet working) Badoch Chair. However, a fantastic (half) days skiing!

Looking across to the sunnyside.

Glorious sunshine on the way up the double poma.

Ian (in red) behind me and the Cairnwell side bathed in late sunshine too.

Ian recovering from a wipeout at the bottom of Coire Fionn. He got me back later when I did a face plant at the bottom of Butcharts!

Glas Maol poma not open yet, sadly.

The view from the Cairnwell cafe window.

New "liftie"!

Kodak moments on top of the Cairnwell T-bar.

From the top of the Cairnwell T-bar looking across to the Sunnyside.

Snow! So now the waiting game starts!

2011-12-04T01:06:00.000-08:00

Various reports from "up north", ie guides and interested parties all commenting on the sudden build up of snow over the past couple of days. The Ben Nevis webcam currently shows whiteout conditions too.
Some wet snow falling down here in the capital to add to the excitement, but it's comparatively mild so probably won't last long.
The dilemma living over two hours away from the hills, is the planning and timing of trips and making them safe and worthwhile. Quite often in the past, we have had reports of great conditions, only to be left stuck in the lowlands due to bad road conditions! No doubt this will continue throughout this season with the next few weeks being the usual hit and miss affair. Work and weather often conspire against us, so fingers crossed for some good days in the new year!

Ben Alder via Culra Bothy, 19th/20th November 2011

2011-11-20T23:37:00.000-08:00

Myself, Gordon, Mark and Willy were up at Dalwhinnie today to cycle the 10 miles into Ben Alder Forest with the plan to stay the night at Culra Bothy and climb Ben Alder on sunday. Note the Logs taped to the cross bars of the bikes.

Willy and his impression of a D-Day Landing paratrooper! Maybe a bike rack of some sort might be a better option next time.

Mark struggling to get his two rucsacs on before setting off!

Myself with two rucsacs, the front one with boots and bike kit, just at the railway overpass behinf the garage at Dalwhinnie.

The guys setting off into the sun along Loch Ericht. Only ten miles to carry all this kit, to go!

Our first view of Ben Alder Lodge. At this point Gordon realised he'd left his boots back in the van at Dalwhinnie! So he dumped his bags with us whilst we waited for him the cycle back to collect them.!

Gordon and Mark, back on the move again after a bit of a wait. No harm done, but it put us back a wee bit time wise and we weren't confident of making the bothy before dark now.

A closer look at Ben Alder Lodge, before the last climb up the landrover track past the lodge's gates and onto the open moor.

At the top of the hill above the lodge, you cross a bridge with a gate and by now the light has faded fast! From here, we crossed the open moor, through a herd of deer and wild ponies before taking the "shortcut" across the bog to the bothy. The shortcut turned into a nightmare as the track was very wet and err, boggy! This might not have been too bad in daylight, but as it got darker there was more walking than cycling, with much falling off and swearing to go with it!

Luckily there was someone already at the bothy so I could just make out their lights. We also managed not to miss the new bridge that crosses the river just before the bothy, and we finally arrived at about 6pm in total darkness. Fortunately the big room with the fire was empty so we moved in for the night.

After lighting the fire we all set about cooking some well earned food. Soon the place was warm and cozy and we managed to dry some wet kit on the pulley over the fire. We did candles of our own, but there were a few already there, so once they were all lit too, it was quite atmospheric.

Gordon, Mark and Willy enjoying a drink by the fire.

Using the flash on the camera loses some of the atmosphere of the moment!

The next day, sunday, and our view of Ben Alder and our route up the Long Leachas Ridge and descent route, the Short Leachas Ridge to the left. Sadly the could never lifted from the summit all day so not many photos were taken en route.

Culra Bothy and our bikes in the morning.

Looking up into the coire after we had descended and still the cloud would not move.

On the way back to the bothy with Loch Pattack in the distance. We would return to Dalwhinne by the landrover track the skirts the loch.

Final view of the bothy before the bumpy, but drier ride back to Loch Pattack, then over the moor to Loch Ericht and Dalwhinnie.

The "slightly longer", but stonier route back via Loch Pattack involves the entertaining suspension bridge which avoids the ford, which was frankly too wide and too deep to even contemplate.

Not the best photo (cheers Gordon) of me on the wibbly-wobbly bridge. From here it's a straightforward ride over the moor. A slight drag uphill , but a nice fast cruise down to Ben Alder Lodge, Loch Ericht and Dalwhinnie.

No 4 Gully marker post - yes or no?

2011-11-14T12:13:00.000-08:00


Just read Alan Halewood's blog regarding someones premature removal of the marker post above Number 4 Gully on Ben Nevis. His piece makes for interesting reading as does the article in Caledonian Mercury. There seems to be an argument for and against the marker, especially in the "keeping wild places, wild" camp. I too don't like "too many" artificial aids, but at the risk of contradicting myself, the Number 4 Gully marker seems like a useful one to keep. Of course some degree of navigational skill should be required when out on the hills, but in difficult conditions this one single marker seems a small price to pay. Maybe it could be made less intrusive, I don't know? A single unmarked post? I know as a low grade climber I would seek some reassurance from it's existence and, rightly or wrongly feel some pressure from the "elite" not to be there if we're not up to MIC standard. The mountains are there for everybody , it's how we police, manage and educate those who use them that's the issue.

Beinn Dearg and Meall a' Mhuic, 6th November 2011

2011-11-06T23:55:00.000-08:00

A glorious autumn morning at the war memorial at Innerwick in Glen Lyon as myself, Bruce, Ian, John and Mark headed up for the Corbett, Beinn Dearg at 830 metres. Surprisingly hard walking over rough heather leads you to the broad summit.

Looking back down into a frosty Glen Lyon as we made our way up to the summit of Beinn Dearg.

Beautiful views were had all day with a cloud lnversion for most of the morning, like this view over Loch Rannoch. On a day like this it's difficult to get a photo that shows just how much we could see.


A brief stop on the summit of Beinn Dearg for a cup of tea and a sandwich. Although it was sunny, it wasn't long before we felt the chill of the wind and moved on. The summit of the Munro, Carn Gorm can be seen to the left. From here we headed east to Meall a' Mhuic.

Another two walkers, the only people we saw all day, enjoying the views and the peace from the summit of Meall a' Mhuic as we had lunch at the summit marker. From here we went south back to Innerwick to complete a short but enjoyable day.

Austrian Alpine Club Insurance - What are you covered for?

2011-11-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

Well it's been three months since our escapade on the NNE Ridge if the Eginner in Saas Fee so, I thought it was time I wrote about our experience with the Austrian Alpine Club and the insurance cover it provides, and our experience of it.
Going back to Lorna's accident on August 8th 2011, on the day, the Air Zermatt helicopter pilot took our AAC membership numbers and at the time I thought that must be the procedure, leaving us wit little to do and all will be well.

However when we returned home we heard nothing for several weeks until we got a bill from the mountain rescue people who had one of their guys in the chopper with the crew. I then downloaded a claim form from the AAC website and completed that as required and posted in to Innsbruck, along with the mountain rescue invoice.

Several weeks passed and still we had no correspondence from the Alpine Club. Then we finally got a bill for 5900 CHF, from Air Zermatt for the cost of the rescue. Confusingly, half of it has been paid by what they said was our "health insurance". At first we couldn't work out what that was and phoned out travel insurance who have been excellent, but they hadn't been in contact with Air Zematt?
Only after searching the internet did I discover that in Switzerland, our EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) cards, cover half the costs, quote:
"Air ambulance, fifty percent of the cost of emergency rescue and up to an annual maximum amount of CHF 5000 is covered. This is non-refundable in Switzerland but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK".

With this in mind we have now posted the invoice for the helicopter to the Austrian Alpine Club's insurance who have said, vial email, that it will be honoured.

So, although it can be a little confusing as to who and where you may owe money to, or who's in touch with who, it seems that in the end you will be covered for rescue costs, and any extra mountain rescue costs through the AAC.

Wet in Wasdale Head! 1st -2nd October 2011

2011-10-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

No photos from this weekend - too wet, well Saturday was not too bad but that was just a walk from the NT campsite to the Wasdale Head Inn for a pint of Dickie Doodle. However the BBC/Met Office forecasts (on Friday afternoon) for, "white cloud and occasional light showers" on Sunday, turned out by Saturday's forecast to be almost constant wind and persistant rain.
Sam and myself had an optimistic notion of doing the Climbers Traverse around the bottom of the Napes ridges, then "thread the needle", and possibly Sphinx Ridge. On the walk up to Styhead from Wasdale, we did see two people high above the mist, probably on the upper part of Sphinx Ridge.
Any remote hope we had of doing that was stopped as the rain continued and got heavier. At this point Scafell Pike was still visible - almost. So we continued to the stretcher box at Styhead with the idea of maybe climbing England's highest peak - a first for Sam.
However as we reached Styhead, the cloud base lowered, the wind increased and we got wetter! Some people may see it as a challenge, but I don't see the point in trudging through wind and rain with no appreciable view to end up in the mist by a trig point that could be anywhere.
So we didn't!
To make a walk of it, we went up past Sprinkling Tarn and briefly thought about heading for Bowfell but it was so grim we about turned and headed back to the Wasdale Head Inn for food and more Dickie Doodle!

Scotland’s Mountain Safety Day.

2011-09-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

Scotland’s Mountain Safety Day

Saturday 8 October, 10am-4pm

Albert Halls, Stirling

More than 30 mountaineering and related organisations combine in a single event to promote Mountain Safety.

Having the right skills for Scotland’s mountains means you can be self-reliant and enjoy our superb landscapes and a fantastic world of adventure without travelling to the ends of the earth. Confidence in the mountains starts with knowing where to get the right equipment and the best advice.

So if you need advice about buying boots, want to know more about navigation or how the mountain rescue services operate, then come along to Scotland’s Mountain Safety Day in Stirling on 8 October to enjoy an informative and fun day and meet top suppliers and mountain-related organisations.
Organised jointly by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and hill walking charity Mountain Aid, the aim of the event is to inspire you to enjoy the Scottish Hills safely, and there will be displays, workshops and presentations that will help you to acquire or improve the skills and knowledge needed for a safe and pleasurable day out on the hills.

Entry to the event is absolutely free, although there will be a useful souvenir programme on sale for £2, which includes one entry to a prize draw with some fantastic prizes. The event will be officially opened by Mountain Aid’s Patron, Cameron McNeish, who will give an illustrated talk at 11am.

The organisations taking part include:
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland and Mountain Aid; The Scottish Mountaineering Trust; Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland; Killin Mountain Rescue Team; Lomond Mountain Rescue Team; Ochils Mountain Rescue Team; Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS); John Muir Trust; Mountain Bothies Association; The National Outdoor Training Centre - Glenmore Lodge; Mountain Leader Training Scotland; sportscotland Avalanche Information Service; ScotWays; the Search and Rescue Dog Association; Harvey Maps; C-N-Do Adventure Holidays; National Navigation Award Scheme; Ramblers Scotland; Ochils Mountaineering Club; Cotswold Outdoor; Nevisport; Tiso; Cicerone Press; Jonathan Binny; Scottish Community Foundation; Scottish Independent Hostels; SYHA Hostelling Scotland, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme; Scotland Outdoors; and the popular hill walking website walkhighlands.

There will be presentations on the causes of mountaineering incidents; navigation techniques; mountain weather forecasting and mountain first aid and, weather permitting, an outdoor climbing wall for children [and adults] to test their skills, supervised by professional staff.
The event is supported through generous donations from the Scottish Community Foundation and the Scottish Mountaineering Trust and starts at 10am at The Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road
Stirling FK8 2QL.

Wild camp at Haweswater Reservoir, 27th August 2011

2011-08-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

Myself, Mark, Willy and Stevie made the decision that wild camping in Scotland this weekend could be a wet affair, so we headed south to the hamlet of Low Harstop between Patterdale and Brothers Water. Limited parking is available here.

A steadily rising track follows Hayeswater Gill to Hayeswater itself before heading north-east up to The Knott from where we headed south.

The track from The Knott leads to High Street at 828m, but we branched off east over Kidsty Pike and down to the shores of Haweswater.

As we passed over Kidsty Pike we got our first view of our canping spot for the night down towards the bottom of The Rigg, the long ridge running right to left in the picture.

A closer view of a very quiet shoreline where we only saw two other tents over towards the tree line.


With the tents all up it was time to get some food and get the fire going.

Don't worry, the firewood was brought by us! 99 pence for a self lighting long that lasts up to two hours!

Early morning sun from the doorway of my tent.

Peace and quiet.

Cup of tea followed by porridge (mashed up flapjacks in milk) and bananas.

Some of the remaining dry stone walls that were part of the village of Mardale before it was flooded to create Haweswater Reservoir.

After a leisurely breakfast we packed our gear and set off up The Rigg towards High Street. As we gained height we got better views down Hawwswater.

The Rigg itself rises up from the waters edge and gains roughly 600+ metres of height.

Halfway along The Rigg looking back down to Haweswater.

Small Water, just visible to the left of The Rigg, sitting below Harter Fell and Mardale III Bell.

Blea Water is also passed en-route. Only one small tent was spotted on the shoreline.

From High Street we walked South West to Thornthwaite Crag at 784m before descending into Threshwaite Cove via Threshwaite Mouth before following Pasture Beck through Threshwaite Glen back to Low Harstop.

I had read there were possibly some grade 1 or 2 scrambles on Raven Crag in Threshwaite Cove, but was surprised to see what looked like people rock climbing on the crag as we passed.

Jakes Rake, 21st August 2011

2011-08-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

Stalden to Gspon, in a cable car of course! 14th August 2011

2011-08-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

Once I arrived at Stalden it seemed only right to take the cable car up to Gspon at 2000m. To this day there are no roads up to the village, so I don't know how they get all the bulding materials for some of the new chalets that were being built!.

A stroll from Visp to Stalden, 14th August 2011

2011-08-14T23:27:00.000-07:00

A view from Visp, 13th August 2011

2011-08-13T23:23:00.000-07:00

I managed to find accommodation directly behind Visp Hospital, in Bildungshaus St. Jodern where my balcony looked right across the landscaped hospital gardens (no NHS concrete piles of fag ends here) to Lorna's room.

Sadly, the Air Zermatt chopper made several visits during our time in Visp and on few occaisions I noticed there were climbers getting out of the helicopter in full kit.

Another view of the roof of the hospital roof!

Allinhorn, 11th August 2011

2011-08-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

With Lorna still stuck in hospital in Visp I was starting to get a bit stir crazy up in Saas (not as much as Lorna obviously) so I had an idea to walk up to the col between the Feekopf and Allinhorn, from the Mittelallalin. I wasn't sure if solo-ing was a good idea just now, mentally, although I felt fine yesterday on the straighforward walk to the Brittania Hut.

The Mittleallalin was busy as usual with ski-ers, boarders and folks heading for the peaks. I spent some time faffing and watching what different teams were doing and it seemed almost all were roping up. After some deliberation I set off for the col up the normal "tourist" route, past the ski lifts and up close to the seracs of the Allinhorn.

I kept saying to myself that I would turn round if I felt uncomfortable or it turns out I am the only solo climber on the mountain! It's funny how you watch other folks thinking they must be experienced in all this, and they turn out to be more hesitant than yourself!

As I walked on further up the well worn and safe trench, I noticed one other lone soul plodding his way up. Rightly or wrongly I followed all the time wityh a view to stopping at the col and then going back down after some happy snaps!

Looking back down to the Mittleallalin and the ski area.

On the way I passed through the remains of avalanche debris from what looked like a collapsed serac. Unlike other people I thought the done thing would be to move quickly through such ground, then take the photos; not stand in the middle of it and snap away?

Hard to tell from the photo, but these blocks of ice amongst the debris were the size of a small car!

Looking back down at the trail of avalanche debris from above, of course!

It came to my notice that as slow as I was going, no-one had passed me! I also saw a team of seven including the guide on a rope; I may be wrong but that seems a lot!?

Approaching the col near the Feekopf where I decided on closer inspection not to solo it as everyone was roped and our experience of recent rockfall put me off the idea. Later I would spot the rescue helicopter landing by a group of climbers on the snow just above the rock band. Hopefully nothing serious.

At the col I got talking to the lone climber I saw earlier, joking I would take his photo for him on the summit if I saw him.

The summit ridge is not too narrow, with just enough room for people to pass as long you don't trip over ropes and crampons and they're not Italian. Falling off shouldn't be an issue but a slide here would still spoil your day! especially if you have to avoid any Italians!

As it turned out, I met the lone walker who introduced himself as Manfred, so we took some happy snaps by the summit cross and had a chat whilst I enjoyed a squashed jam roll and Manfred enjoyed his mini bottle of wine!

Shockingly posey photo kindly taken by Manfred, once I'd skillfully negotiated my way past the group of Italians leaving the cross for the wider part of the summit.

There were even dogs up there! Plus some teams, probably families with young-ish kids, around ten - twelve years old. I saw one guy with a small child of about five, six maybe, near the col.

Looking across to theStrahlhorn and Rimpfischhorn from the summit of the Allinhorn.

A different view of Eginner with it's ridge leading away to the Mittaghorn in the distance.

My good companion for the day, Manfred posing in the sun!

Manfred heading back down to the col by the Feekopf. We enjoyed a leisurely walk back to the Mittleallalin where we enjoyed a couple of celebratory beers before bidding farewell. If Manfred is ever in Scotland it would be good to show him some of the mountains we have to offer.

Felskin to the Brittania Hut, 10th August 2011.

2011-08-10T23:55:00.000-07:00

After the last few days, of worry I decided to take a short walk from the Felskinn lift through the Eginnerjoch to the Brittania Hut. Part of the route, on the hut side, is closed due to rockfall so it takes slightly longer than the 90 minutes stated on the signposts. You also get a good view of the south side of the Egginer as you pass through.

Looking through to the Egginerjoch from the Felskinn lift station.

Looking back at the route with the Alphubel in the distance. Nothing is hard about this walk, in fact there were many "ordinary" walkers enjoying a taste of the alpine scenery. You do have to pay some attention though but with common sense and the right clothing anyone can make the journey to the Brittania Hut and back.

As I got closer to the steep face of the Eginner, I noticed a team of climbers making their way up one of the chimneys. After the previous few days I was aware of what might be loose rock and hoped they had a safe journey to the summit of what looks like a complicated mountain to route find on.

The "normal" route through the Eginnerjoch was closed due to rockfall! Ironic considering, so you are diverted to a more circuitous route to the bottom of the Chessjengletscher which follows its left hand edge before striking off right, across the glacier itself to bring you just below the Brittania Hut. I chose a more private spot away from the hut to have my one jam roll, chocolate bar and flask of tea.

My peaceful spot had a view of the Strahlhorn and Rimpfischorn, both acccesible after a night at the Brittania Hut.

Lagginhorn as seen from the Brittania Hut with snow on it's upper slopes, apparently making it slightly harder than normal? The Fletschorn is to it's left.

Looking across to the Almageller Hut and the Dri-Hornli Ridge.

Epic on the NNE Ridge of the Egginer from the Mittaghorn, 8th August 2011.

2011-08-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

Hoping for a cloud inversion on the Mittaghorn summit.

Looking at our first gendarme as we head south along the North-North East ridge of the Egginer. I was a bit apprehensive at first as although it was meant to be no harder than V-Diff for some of the moves, I was aware of there being no one else on the ridge and despite being able to see some of the lift stations, they still seemed a long way away.

Some of the scrambling/climbing was scrappy in places, not too difficult but was it a sign of things to come?

Occaisionally a veil of cloud would cover the ridge adding to the drama closely followed by a brief spell of hailstones which was worrying, but it soon cleared leaving us just the cloud to peer through.

The next gendarme was more "soild" and a variety of lines seemed possible although I aired on the side of caution and tried for the simplest!

We were getting close to what I thought was the lowest point in the NNE ridge, and the sight of the small glacier below seemed to confirm that. The last downclimb seemed trickier than it should've been, but we were soon on a level-ish section with possibly 20m or so to what appeared to be a final downclimb before the descent.

At this point,after doing so well for our abilities, I suggested that instead of staying on the crest, we take a gradually descending traverse line towards the final descent. I went first on belay, but as I moved along and down, it became clear that there was a lot of unstable rock. It was hear that I had my first feelings og doubt at my route choice and told Lorna not to descend as far as me, but to go back up to the crest (no more then 10m above) and make herself safe.
Once I was back on belay, I followed the rope as Lorna was out of sight for a while due the nature of the blocks and pinnacles.
At about 5m from the crest I came to a fridge-freezer size block.
Here it was basically walking around the large rocks, and as I stepped between the block and the mountain side - it moved.
From here everything happened so fast. The block toppled like a domino and broke in two (maybe more?). The top half went downwards, which was good as Lorna was not directly below me, and at least 5m along and very slightly below. However the remaining piece of rock decided to defy the laws of science and bounce, slide and roll towards Lorna.
As I shouted to her to move, she jumped into a recess, but not far enough.
The rock caught her right ankle between another rock , essentially acting like a vice resulting in a broken ankle.

Looking across the the NNE ridge of the Eginner. Not far from the lowest point is where we were picked up by the Air Zermatt helicopter. I never got the names of the pilot, loadmaster or the paramedic that was winched down to us, but they were all amazing, calm and non-judgemental. Rolf, the Saas Fee mountain rescue guy who came with them was also brilliant,especially with his "shit happens", quotes!
At some point in this blog I will return to this post and talk more about the rights, wrongs, mistakes or wether it was just an accident?

A short walk below the Mischabel Hut, 7th August 2011

2011-08-07T23:29:00.000-07:00

The morning rain had put off the local guides from organising any trips in the "Gorge", so after a stroll around the village and a visit to the Bergfurhrer Buro , we decided to take the Hannig cable car and do as much of the walk in (ie up) to the Mischabel Hut.

We only had a couple of hours to walk as far as we could before returning to catch the last lift back down to Saas Fee. The walk is interesting though and would make a good day out in itself with lunch at the hut.

We had seen people hand feeding Marmots the previous day as we took the cable car down from Spielboden, so I was hoping to catch a glimpse of one today. Luckily something caught my eye and sure enough there was a marmot, sitting on a rock about 30m away. I was tempted to leave the path to get closer but felt sure if I had I would've scared it off!

We didn't make it as far as the start of the cables up to the hut unfortuneatly as we decided to about turn and make for the cable car and a beer! The return walk gives good views over Saas Fee and the surrounding peaks.

There are also pockets of Ibex (as I call them , although I have heard them being called Bouqetin) around the hillsides. Some of them appear in the most unlikely and exposed places.

On the way down we passed what I think was the edge of the Fall Glacier. I assume the Hohbalm Glacier would be further left as you face the mountain?

There are always plenty of signposts and waymarkers on most of the routes. Some may say too many, but they do come on handy though! We made it back to the Hanning resteraunt in time for a quick drink before taking the last car down.

Around Saas Fee, August 2011.

2011-08-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

Sunshine and showers in Saas Fee.

Religion is still present in the valleys of the Saastal.

Heading towards the "Bergfurer Buro" in the centre of Saas.

Typical wooden chalet style buildings can still be found amongst more modern hotels and appartments.

Once the grass had dried out from the previous weeks rains, it was time to harvest.

Saas Fee, Langfluh - 6th August 2011.

2011-08-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Looking across to the Mittaghorn and the Eginner on our first afternoon in Saas Fee, where we had enough time to take the lifts up to the Langfluh station and take a look around as we'd never been over that side of the Fee Glacier before. For a saturday afternoon, the lifts and the cafe were very quiet, something which we thought we noticed alot over the nex couple of days. Is it getting too expensive now?

The pictures don't do justice to the scale of the glacier and it's crevasses.

Looking up towards the Alphubel Joch from the side of the Langfluh.

A team heading up towards the ice above the Langfluh.

Looking up at the Feekopf with Mittleallalin high on the left and the Alphubel out of shot to the right.

Atmospheric view across the Fee Glacier to the Eginnerjoch with the Eginner on the left.

Mittleallalin's revolving resteraunt just visible with a trail from Felskinn visible.

A new use for old boots at the Langfluh resteraunt.

Our singing, harmonica playing companion on the descent to Saas from the Langfluh.

Hogget Gill to the Priesthole Cave, 30th August 2011.

2011-08-01T04:09:00.000-07:00

A short walk from Sykeside Farm Campsite, as if heading into Dovedale, leads you to the start of Hogget Gill. This grade 1 scramble is a great way up the fells (in not too wet conditions) for beginners, and the interest is kept up all the way.

Myself, Lorna and Lennon made our way up through the jumble of rocks and fallen trees, around various small pools, and up small waterfalls. Getting wet was all part of the fun, although never anything too serious. The gill was fairly dry although some sections need thoughtful footwork to avoid a slip on the wet, slimy rock: even for a grade 1 scramble.

We did avoid the alternative grade 3 section in the middle, which takes a rising rightwards traverse, up the slabby left wall by a steeper fall. Although not to high, the hardest part looks like the first few moves, with little protection a slip would've been possible especially for a beginner. The rock close to the fall was also damp so we opted to escape left out of the ravine an rejoin the gill about 20m higher.

Between rocky scrambly walking, you get sections of larger boulders to negotiate between and the option to get as wet as you like!

Lorna and Lennon near the top of the gill.

Looking down Hogget Gill onto Sykeside Farm campsite at the bottom of the valley. The short grade 3 section is just where the gill drops down the ravine in the centre of the picture.

From the top of the gill it is possible to traverse over rough ground below the crags of Dove Crag to join the path rising up from Sykeside. From here you can find the seemingly not so secret Priesthole Cave where we stopped for lunch before heading back down the campsite.

Curved Ridge, t - shirts and Baldrick, 3rd July 2011.

2011-07-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

Unbelievable weather and views in Glencoe today as myself and Sam set out for Curved Ridge on the "Buchaille". If anything we would've liked a bit more of a breeze as it was sweaty work on the walk in.

Spot the climber on the Rannoch Wall, to the left of Agags Groove, possibly om January Jigsaw?

Climbers ahead of us on what became a very sociable day on the ridge.

We roped up a little way up the ridge as it was Sam's first time on anything like this, but he took it all in his stride and did really well!

Looking down at the climbers we saw earlier.

And again looking down with Curved Ridge to the right of the Rannoch Wall.

Sam at the top of the final section of steeper scrambling, before we took the chossy gully round the back of Crowberry Tower, up which we climbed to stop for a rest and take in the views before down-climbing it and heading for the summit of Stob Dearg. Had a nice chat with a couple who had just abseiled off the tower. Sadly I didn't get a photo of them doing it!

En route down, we encountered "Baldrick" copping a cheeky lift from his owner to add an amusing end a cracking day in the highlands!