Wednesday 31 August 2016

Faith in friction

Some shots from a few days ago playing on the wonderful granite slabs of Stac an Fharaidh in the Cairngorms, on Pippet Slab (Severe). Faith in friction required!




Thursday 25 August 2016

Mountain biking


Here are a couple of pictures from earlier this week, guiding Mike around some of the tracks and trails of the Cairngorms and Strathspey. We started in Aviemore itself and took in lots of ground including Rothiemurchus, An Sluggan, Loch Garten, Carrbridge etc.  A nice change from the hill walking, although not exactly an easier day-----the computer read 63 km and >3000ft up and down but the end. Phew!

Fantastic light and colours---on the Speyside Way

View to the Cairngorm mountains

Sunday 21 August 2016

High mountains & plateau


Another day spent amongst the high Cairngorms, guiding Mike to the tops of Ben Macdui, the second highest mountain in Scotland and Cairn Gorm itself. There was high cloud on and off the tops all day, but plenty of good visibility and even some warm sunshine. The plateau is such a special place on days like this, with a wonderful, mysterious atmosphere.  It was lovely to see the reindeer herds today in Coire Raibert. This is the closest I have ever seen them to the ski area but they seemed very happy. We were glad to get the boots off after another long-enough day tramping the hills.  Mountain-biking tomorrow to give the walking muscles a rest!


What a place
Cloud lifting off Braeriach



The heart of the Cairngorms


Looking northwards over Rothiemurchus towards Speyside

Great visibility despite some cloud

The reindeer add to the Arctic atmosphere

Saturday 20 August 2016

Glen Feshie Munros


Cracking day out today guiding Mike over the Glen Feshie Munros---Sgor Gaoith & Mullach Clach a Bhlair. Mike is very fit and we made excellent time over this good-sized round before dropping back to the glen. Plenty of sunshine on offer with vast swathes of purple heather to please the eye. These hills are always a delight and they were no exception today.

Stunning Glen Feshie
A cloud-capped Braeriach

Mike on the summit of Sgor Gaoith

The wind dropped and it was lovely and warm

Impressive Coire Garbhlach

Braeriach, Sgor an Lochain Uaine and Cairn Toul over the Monadh Mor

Lovely light and space from these hills


Purple haze.....