Sunny cragging in November

Some pictures from a recent day out cragging in beautiful Strathconon. We were at Glenmarksie crag, which is a great, south facing venue. Our first route Wild Mint S 4b started well, but the rest of the route could really have done with a good clean, and I suspect was graded for a time when the protection was more accessible? However, the VS 4b next to it was much better, as was the delectable rock of the 4b slab at the Short Wall. An underrated crag I think, that could do with more traffic to keep the moss down!

Sport climbing in the sun

Fantastic afternoon cragging at Moy Rock near Inverness today. Sunshine, blue skies and the crag all to ourself. Wonderful.

Biking in the sun

Stunning Autumn day again here in the Cairngorms. We enjoyed a cracking bike ride on the singletrack around Carrbridge........the trails remain pretty dry with a fine coating of fallen pine needles. The colours remain fabulous just now. Warm in the sunshine, but chilly in the shade today. Lovely!

Up North to the Sutherland of the Vikings........

Some pictures from my last few days up in Sutherland and the NW Highlands. Such a wild, magnificent landscape; still manages to take my breath away. We experienced everything that Autumn could throw at us, from mellow sunshine to Atlantic gales, all great fun.  An amazing part of the world. Some great walking here for all weathers, from fantastic mountain ridges to sheltered forests, as well as great stretches of the coast to explore.

West Coast magic

A few days off relaxing with friends on the West Coast, Ardnamurchan/Moidart.

I could never tire of sitting on top of a hill looking out at the Isles of Rum and Eigg (The Small Isles)

CPD

Yesterday I was at Glenmore Lodge for a day of Continous Professional Development (CPD) for Mountain Training Association members. Part of the day was an Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) Open Day to discuss progressing to the AMI awards. In the afternoon we split off into various workshops--navigation, climbing movement, rope work. I took part in the rope work session, which was really useful and made me rethink a few things that have become ingrained habit over the 15  years +(crickey!) that I have been rock climbing. Thank you to all the AMI instructors who gave up their Saturday, free of any charge, to share thoughts and ideas. 

Indian Summer

Fifth and final day with Ros today, and what a cracker of a day---wall to wall blue sky and warm sunshine. I took her to Glen Feshie and we made a lovely loop around Geal Charn and Meall Tionail. T-shirts in October---a great way for Ros to finish her holiday. Thank you for your company Ros, and some lovely days out on the hill.