tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50117309467481937872024-03-12T18:18:39.396-07:00Remote ExposureOwen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-41581985598938400882013-09-14T02:45:00.000-07:002013-09-14T02:45:13.896-07:00New website on it's way!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Folks,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a cool looking new website in the pipeline, mainly spurred by Smugmug's (my gallery hosting site) change in layout. Here is a preview of one of the gallery pages:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.remoteexposure.co.uk/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/n-QVx4j/i-cDJhfwr/A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" height="266" src="http://www.remoteexposure.co.uk/photos/i-cDJhfwr/0/L/i-cDJhfwr-L.png" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Along with this will be my own custom domain name and a completely new blog interface. It is taking me a fair bit of time because I am rubbish at web design, however <u style="font-style: italic;">please be on the edge of your seats</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you guys have any comments or anything that you found annoying on the current website, do let me know</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Owen</span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-80642308365944363772013-09-10T12:34:00.002-07:002013-09-10T12:35:55.835-07:00The Talisman - Creag a'choire Etchachan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.remoteexposure.co.uk/Climbing-Trips/20130908-The-Talisman/31788788_dgBHmn#!i=2757286631&k=33GVwsw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" height="265" src="http://www.remoteexposure.co.uk/Climbing-Trips/20130908-The-Talisman/i-M7nJQ7x/0/L/_DSC3566-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remote crags at their finest</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've done very little but work and sit on my backside since our trip to Ailefroide in July. That sounded like the best reason to hit a multi-pitch rock route in one of Scotland's remotest coires, on a Sunday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Calum had previously been into Creag a'choire Etchachan (pronounced however it happens to fall out of your mouth) earlier in the week to do Scabbard, a starred VS. He was keen for us to go back for the Talisman, a 3* HS. So myself, Calum and Alasdair met at the Linn of Dee complete with bikes at the leisurely hour of 9am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I immediately regretted not buying a new mountain bike this summer. My trusty Carrera from Halfords is still holding strong after 17 years. That's right, I bought it when I was 10 years old and it still works! Much like Trigger's broom, it has had several new wheels and saddles but the frame is the same. Despite various upgrades it is showing its age, to the extent that; the brakes do not function as a braking device, and the inner tube is bursting through the perished tyre walls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of hours pushing the limits of where bikes should be taken, across drainage ditches and over cobbles, we found ourselves at the Hutchinson Memorial Hut at the base of the crag. A feet dampening approach was swiftly dispatched....oh no it wasn't, because I am desperately unfit, now I remember! Sorry, 30 sweaty minutes later and we geared up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The route was ok I guess, roughly speaking you have an un-protectable wide flake crack followed by a blocky ladder then a traverse with no gear. I did this bit. Calum then did the open corner to the 'awkward alcove' with an interesting move out. Alasdair and I kept the route entertaining by discussing various points of contact.....don't ask! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alasdair did the final arete to finish. Nothing special but not bad for a 3 pitch route with the crag to yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cycle out was preceded by being swarmed by hundreds of midges when retrieving the bikes from the undergrowth. Then I was nearly castrated on several occasions when my non-suspension bike was stopped dead in its tracks by a drainage ditch, rut or even small twig! Only one complete 'over the handlebars' moment, thank goodness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next summer I am buying a new bike. For the sake of my nuts, wrists and brain cavity.</span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-74150499654217539412013-09-03T14:42:00.003-07:002013-09-03T14:42:59.033-07:00Just the daily grind....<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many disadvantages to having to work in the Highlands; long distances, cold weather, midges!! Then</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> every so often, there are those things which make it all worth it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/73722352">DSC3480</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user16402507">Owen Flowers</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-35773600951631894412013-08-03T06:25:00.000-07:002013-08-03T06:25:18.133-07:00Spey Descent<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last weekend a few guys from work packed our (not so) dry bags and big blue barrels and jumped in some canoes. Destination: Spey Bay on the east coast.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Friends/20130726-Spey-Descent/30931600_SM7f8X#!i=2674992230&k=87QjqKg&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Capsize!"><img alt="Capsize!" height="240" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Friends/20130726-Spey-Descent/i-87QjqKg/0/M/IMG_2182-M.jpg" title="Capsize!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click here to be taken to the photo gallery</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nick had done an excellent job of organising everything with Donald at <a href="http://www.explorehighland.com/" target="_blank">Explore Highland</a> and we were ready to go in no time. Launching off from Loch Insh just outside Kincraig, avoiding the Osprey nest, we spent the first 4 hours running over some essential skills to avoid wetness and death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We left Donald at Aviemore after a coffee break only 4 hours into the trip! After this we had to make up time and steamed ahead. Day 1 went by with only a brief shower in the middle of the day and camp was set up in the dry. We even got a fire going!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 2 surprised us with excellent sunshine and most of us came away with 'canoe knee'. A pub dinner at the Mash Tun in Aberlour and some cava sealed the day off nicely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 3.....the less said about day 3, the better. It was wet....all day. Morale was low from the outset and tension built amongst the supposed elite team. A stern reminder of the fact that we were indeed men set us upon our final leg to reach the 'oh so good' Dolphin Sanctuary cafe ahead of time, enough for me to demolish two sandwiches!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy the video!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/71632107" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/71632107">Spey Descent</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user16402507">Owen Flowers</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-43956396007598849352013-06-18T16:06:00.000-07:002013-06-18T16:06:00.572-07:00Chamonix - 1 year later<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So as my trip to the Ecrins looms closer, I thought it was about time I sorted my photos from Chamonix last year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to be really lazy and let the photos do the talking....maybe i'll write something later on :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120707-Chamonix/30061593_QxLLft#!i=2583215850&k=6ZWCMfW" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Chamonix!!"><img alt="Chamonix!!" height="102" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120707-Chamonix/i-WphXV3G/0/L/Grand%20monets%20pano-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Argentiere basin - Petite Aiguille Rouge - Chamonix Aiguilles & Mont Blanc </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-19034033360461785262013-02-12T10:45:00.003-08:002013-02-12T10:45:40.337-08:00The Seam<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fresh back from my week long course in Ambleside, I hooked
up with James and Calum for a trip out. I am desperately trying to get away
from the hotspots this winter, but Calum has been itching to get on the Seam
for a while now so we headed into Sneachda for what feels like the 100<sup>th</sup>
time. Not to say I minded.....a day out is a day out after all. The forecast
was reasonable for Saturday although it became ‘clear’ that it was going to be
a bit of a claggy day. We had several overhead visits from the coastguard
helicopter on the walk-in, which we questioned as to whether it was a good or
bad omen for the day.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130209-The-Seam/27969035_pXDKH9#!i=2361187915&k=DhwD4XT&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Calum"><img alt="Calum" height="265" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130209-The-Seam/i-DhwD4XT/0/M/DSC_1531-M.jpg" title="Calum" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Not too many pictures in this blog, although clicking the photo
above will take you to the gallery with a couple more photos of the day. The
claggy mist made it really difficult to keep the lens clear and even then,
images were pretty dismal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Calum pretty much owned this route. I led the initial ramps
of Invernookie as I’d done them before and could recognise the route through
the clag and depths of snow. I actually realised after getting back that I was
suppose to lead us up right slightly earlier on to the base of the chimney. It’s
probably what made the middle traverse pitch quite tricky.....sorry Calum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Calum led a short, yet awkward pitch to the base of the
chimney and then the final pitch in one rope length. Belay duty was actually a
pleasure in this instance as myself and James had much amusement from Ramone
and Mark, the team following us to Invernookie, trying to pass our small belay.
I also explained to James the term ‘braying Geoffrey’s’ and had an impromptu cinematography
lesson.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130209-The-Seam/27969035_pXDKH9#!i=2361190997&k=f696n5C&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130209-The-Seam/i-f696n5C/0/M/DSC_1548-M.jpg" title="" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One reason I like to explore elsewhere.......</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Calum did an outstanding job of the whole route, one which I
certainly found quite tough and I think James would agree. I used the
opportunity of being in a three to take some video footage with the hope of
creating a proper edited cut. Here is my first attempt at a climbing short!! It
is a little rough around the edges, but I’ve tried to make it a little more
than 4 mins of continuous fiddling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well done Calum!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/59444020" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/59444020">2013.02.09 - The Seam</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user16402507">Owen Flowers</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">UPDATE: It is unfortunate that some university students from
Leeds appear to have got caught out over the weekend, with one later confirmed
as killed. Reports suggest that the 5 were recovered on Monday morning after
being reported overdue on Sunday evening, so I am unsure what the large MRT
presence was on Saturday. Maybe training? None the less, it is sad that the trend
over the last few weekends has been folk getting into serious trouble and
paying the price. Very sad.</span></span></div>
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Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-37595477097765621592013-02-04T15:32:00.001-08:002013-02-04T15:32:04.660-08:00Tower Ridge - Winter<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John text me a while ago suggesting he'd make the Catterick - Dalwhinnie journey sometime soon and we could get some winter climbing in. If it was anything like last time (see: <a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120323-Cummingston-1/22393891_R4Qgwz#!i=1790061006&k=BV4H7Pt" target="_blank">Cummingston</a>) there would be lots of alcohol, little actual climbing and sightings of sea badgers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite a comms malfunction, John managed to locate the cabin in the woods that is Station Cottages in Dalwhinnie a.k.a. Timbuktu, around 11pm. There was a brief catch up over the important events of the previous evening in London with the Men of the West, which involved some mlarring messes and a new form of club-based communication called the 'liquorice allsort nod'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The objective for the next day was then set: Tower Ridge, a route with a history of underestimations and benightments. Let's do it!</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/27863627_R4sK3S#!i=2350824507&k=Nms76m5&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="300" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/i-Nms76m5/0/L/IMG_0265-L.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, less than a year since I did the <a href="http://remoteexposure.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/tower-ridge.html" target="_blank">summer ascent</a> with James, we make the early start that is required for a day on the Ben, never mind it's biggest ridge.....in winter. Despite a late night and very little exercise (for me anyway!) we made good time to the CIC hut and are soon standing under the huge bulk of the Douglas Boulder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The usual slope leading to the initial chimney pitch looked loaded so we decided to avoid it and join the ridge further up. In our haste we also tried to overtake a roped party by picking an even more 'alternative' route onto the ridge by a horrendously exposed snow traverse. Quite possibly the scariest part of the route!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/27863627_R4sK3S#!i=2350827755&k=s9TqPnB&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="snow traverse"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/i-s9TqPnB/0/L/IMG_0272-L.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once on the ridge we roped up and took coils to start moving together over the initial easy sections, although easy is not necessarily the right word. The ridge immediately provides good climbing, plenty of exposure and amazing views. With the conditions the way they were, sandwich between awful winter storms, it wasn't surprising to see numerous teams on the ridge. This slowed things down a bit as a fair amount of time was spend queuing. Still, we couldn't complain.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/27863627_R4sK3S#!i=2350837861&k=G9sgSWw&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/i-G9sgSWw/0/L/IMG_0290-L.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rock mass in the picture above is the little tower, the first real obstacle of the route. We managed to race up this and move over the next level section with lots of photo stops along the way. I had real trouble selecting the best photos from a batch of many, although I slightly wish I had taken the SLR along for such an epic route.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next on the cards was the infamous Eastern Traverse. Looming above you is an impenetrable wall which would make anyone thing they've let themselves in more than they wanted, the Great Tower is a milestone of the route. Winding it's way around the east (huh, really) side is the traverse and to be honest makes you consider finding a way up the wall! Fortunately with plenty of beta under the belt I dispatched the traverse and managed to protect John's journey around it just as well.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/27863627_R4sK3S#!i=2350848472&k=j63V55r&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="300" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/i-j63V55r/0/L/IMG_0314-L.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The climbing after here is exceptional and the outlook over Observatory Gully is outstanding, definitely my favourite part of the route! We could see a trio finishing up Tower Scoop and Gardyloo Gully which had some point eaten the stoner we saw earlier on. Over the other side, Robbie was on the <a href="http://graniteandice.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/tower-face-of-comb-vi6.html" target="_blank">Tower Face of the Comb</a> which looks a little stiff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got up on top of the Great Tower and joined the queue for Tower Gap. At this point it was getting Harry Gleanpigs (cold) so the duvets went on and we chatted to some guys who were partaking in the SMC Winter Meet, which explained why there were so many people in the coire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tower Gap has to be witnessed to really understand its complexity. It has exposure, sure, but the down climb forces you to look straight down into the abyss as you manoeuvre your feet to get down into the gap. Then there is the climb back out!! Lots of noises were made.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/27863627_R4sK3S#!i=2350854316&k=XMDGRDd&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130202-Tower-Ridge-IV-3/i-XMDGRDd/0/L/IMG_0338-L.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Gap in profile</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Words and photos just don't quite capture the scale and grandeur of this route, it really is one that has to be experienced. Our trip was 11.5 hrs car to car, with only 7.5hrs on the route. We worked out nearly 2hrs of which was queuing, so we managed the route in less time than my summer ascent. Not bad really!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can only advise to anyone thinking of doing the route to try and get it in good (snow) condition and with good weather, if not just for the views.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheers John for making the journey up, first on the list of many!</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Click any of the photos above to view the gallery in a new window</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-39168822982329180122013-02-04T14:14:00.002-08:002013-02-04T14:18:04.659-08:00Sron na Lairig<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a long time since the last blog post. Work has really taken over my life, but I am hoping to back on track with reporting my adventures! After all, I have the trip to Chamonix that needs putting up! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My winter season started before Christmas with a little trip up the Haston Line in t'Sneachda. I'm not sure if I've even got photos from that one....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Desperate to branch out of the northern corries this winter I joined Calum, Alasdair and Stephen for a go at Sron na Lairig in Glencoe. Looking to be a good option given the conditions we made a fairly relaxed start up the valley.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/27863034_ttJNHN#!i=2350765185&k=NgMtKNX&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="265" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/i-NgMtKNX/0/L/DSC_1388-L.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soft snow made for relatively hard going but the ~4km walk in was over before we knew it. Having a view of the route early on helped to get us excited. We'd taken rope and gear but I was already beginning to think it might be a nice route to solo and not faff too much on. A couple of other people were ahead of us an looked to be moving quickly on the initial pitches, so we kitted up and started up the initially broad ridge. At the base there are plenty of variants to make it harder if you wish.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/27863034_ttJNHN#!i=2350770920&k=67Bmbp8&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="265" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/i-67Bmbp8/0/M/DSC_1402-M.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all felt comfortable moving over the easy ground and the few 'tricky' sections just added that little bit of interest. This allowed us to move quickly but still had time for a bit of chat with the other party we passed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The upper reaches started to become a bit more of a defined ridge....exactly what you want from a ridge climb. As I was leading the way I kept an eye out for some sections that would add interest. One such part was a short but quite exposed wall which had really solid hooks. It felt good to be moving confidently over this sort of ground, which I think was really helped by the calm and clear conditions.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/27863034_ttJNHN#!i=2350798114&k=JLXsK9d&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="265" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/i-JLXsK9d/0/L/DSC_1446-L.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After this it just got better and better, with the ridge becoming knife edge style.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/27863034_ttJNHN#!i=2350802843&k=cgTgQr4&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/i-cgTgQr4/0/L/DSC_1460-L.jpg" title="" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having made such a quick ascent we decided to carry on to the summit of Stob Coire Sgreamhach for a true 'mountaineering style' day. From here we headed down the huge ridge of Beinn Fhada, which included a small abseil. This section is noted as a grade I/II down climb, however I think we must have gone wrong as it definitely needed an abseil!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We diverted down the east slopes of Beinn Fhada as the light was beginning to fade which was a painful experience. Very soft snow combined with loose rocks just below the surface made for very sore ankles. We utilised many forms of descent within the repertoire, including front crawl!</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/27863034_ttJNHN#!i=2350823797&k=kjrFrj9&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="265" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20130119-Sron-na-Lairig/i-kjrFrj9/0/L/DSC_1511-L.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The headtorches came out towards the end and my phone started bleating as the signal came back. We weren't to know at the time but during our day out 4 people had been buried and killed in an avalanche in central gully of Bidean nam Bian, just over the hill. Suffice to say, my folks were very worried as I'd only told them I was going to Glencoe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall; a fine route and a fun day with the guys. Condolences to the families who lost loved ones on this day. </span>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Click any of the photos above to view the gallery in a new window</i></span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-77728353311081293102012-06-09T23:48:00.002-07:002013-01-05T05:39:44.584-08:00Jubilee Weekend<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four days off work? Yes please! The weekend was a myriad of results. In summary there was one dismal failure; one tide miscalculation; one perfect day on Glencoe rock. Oh, and one day sat on the sofa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>The Dismal Failure</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To say 'dismal' is a little unfair, we still counted it as a worthwhile day out. There were just a few minor errors made. We set off from Keiloch, probably too late, for the long walk in to Garbh Choire of Beinn a' Bhuird. Approximately 15kms, it's a lovely walk through the Fairy Glen with very little gradient until the last couple of kilometers approaching the Sneck.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A long way still to go</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The objective was to climb Mitre Ridge and Squareface, the two easy classics of the area. Once at the Sneck there is still a bit of work to get to the base of Mitre Ridge which is at the far end of the coire. On the way, something caught my eye and made me turn and then nearly jump out of my skin as I saw a busted up wooden elephant staring at me amongst the boulders. The elements has definitely taken its toll (along with a long drop from the top) compared to the pic on UKC of it at the top of the climb.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1885046097&k=Kk2vdSJ&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Exactly what you expect to see in the Cairngorm's remote corries!"><img alt="Exactly what you expect to see in the Cairngorm's remote corries!" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-Kk2vdSJ/0/M/DSC3357-M.jpg" title="Exactly what you expect to see in the Cairngorm's remote corries!" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"All animals die alone"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mitre Ridge is graded Hard Severe but this is supposedly just the first pitch and the rest is of VDiff standard. In keeping with our 'alpine training regime' myself and James had brought only a lightweight rack and ditched the rock shoes in favour of big boots. The next mistake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started up the first pitch which is not incredibly positive with big boots and was a little damp. At about 10-15m i'd already used half the rack and had clipped a rusty, wobbly peg. I then looked up at the next 10m of damp slabby corner before the break and decided this wasn't going to happen. Down I came to give James a go on the sharp end and see if he could get past it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1885046540&k=zw76JXS&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="James re-ascending my high point to try the slabby corner"><img alt="James re-ascending my high point to try the slabby corner" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-zw76JXS/0/M/DSC3358-M.jpg" title="James re-ascending my high point to try the slabby corner" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">James re-ascending to my high point</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not surprisingly James didn't favour it either and got the pleasure of lowering of the rusty peg to retrieve gear. I'd remembered there was an easier winter start just around the corner, so we went around to give that a go. Having started up I then looked at my watch; 4pm!! We'd had enough signs just to pack up and head home, knowing where we had gone wrong on numerous levels. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All that was left was the long walk home, feeling a little disappointed and with very achy feet. Got some nice pics before we left though.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1885047089&k=FkSVqwj&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Mitre Ridge"><img alt="Mitre Ridge" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-FkSVqwj/0/M/DSC3361-M.jpg" title="Mitre Ridge" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mitre Ridge in profile</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1885047867&k=sDNKhPn&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Climbers on squareface"><img alt="Climbers on squareface" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-sDNKhPn/0/M/DSC3374-M.jpg" title="Climbers on squareface" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Climbers on Squareface</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Tide Miscalculation</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put simply: I went to Limekilns with Calum and after doing a few of the climbs suggested we move to Hawkcraig. I'd looked at the tides and thought 3hrs after high tide would be fine. It wasn't. Doh!</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Super Glencoe Link Up</u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The saving grace of my long weekend was a day on Buchaille Etive Mor with Ben Sharp who i'd met through UKC. Starting a bit earlier this time (and with a much shorter walk in) we headed up with a vague plan starting with North Face Route. The 2 star severe doesn't seem to be as popular as it's neighbours on Rannoch Wall judging by the little worn approach paths. After only a little bit of guidebook consultation and looking a pictures on my phone we found the start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a quality route with good rock (the few pitches we did anyway) and worthwhile of its 2 stars. We came off the route after pitch 3 to move on to Hiccup (VS 4c) which was also an outstanding route that Ben led.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1890200762&k=HRSV2tz&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ben on 2nd pitch of North Face Route"><img alt="Ben on 2nd pitch of North Face Route" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-HRSV2tz/1/M/DSC3428-M.jpg" title="Ben on 2nd pitch of North Face Route" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ben on P2 of North Face Route</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1896326682&k=BKFtWFv&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-BKFtWFv/0/M/P1030212-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Airy belay above P1 of Hiccup<br />[Photo credit: Ben Sharp]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rock on this day was like touching the loop side of velcro with one of those <i>scatch </i>pad things. You put a hand or foot and it just stuck! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1890203847&k=6spcRJW&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="2nd pitch of Hiccup"><img alt="2nd pitch of Hiccup" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-6spcRJW/1/M/DSC3437-M.jpg" title="2nd pitch of Hiccup" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ben on P2 of Hiccup</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The top of Hiccup brought us out to Curved Ridge below Rannoch Wall, where we initially thought of doing January Jigsaw (another classic severe). As there was someone already on it, Ben convinced me to give Fracture Route (VS 4c) a go around the corner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was an awesome route that made you think about the moves but not overly strenuous. I was slightly put down by the guy speeding up the HVS to the right of me with only two nuts on the entire route!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1890209351&k=89CHkG5&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ben seconding Fracture Route (VS 4c)"><img alt="Ben seconding Fracture Route (VS 4c)" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-89CHkG5/1/M/DSC3454-M.jpg" title="Ben seconding Fracture Route (VS 4c)" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ben seconding Fracture Route</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1896340480&k=Dmhx8WS&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo Credit: Ben Sharp"><img alt="Photo Credit: Ben Sharp" height="299" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-Dmhx8WS/0/M/P1030236-M.jpg" title="Photo Credit: Ben Sharp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well chuffed with Fracture Route<br />[Photo credit: Ben Sharp]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ben then led on looking for the last pitch of Grooved Arete. I think we actually ended up doing a P2 Fracture Route/Crowberry Ridge combination as we definitely ended up on the ridge towards Crowberry Tower. All that was left was a little scrambling to the summit, at one moment passing under a precariously perched block! The little keystones holding this in place had daylight shining through in several locations.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/23349475_7X5pdC#!i=1896340992&k=kTPfRmt&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo Credit: Ben Sharp"><img alt="Photo Credit: Ben Sharp" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120602-Jubilee-Weekend/i-kTPfRmt/0/M/P1030246-M.jpg" title="Photo Credit: Ben Sharp" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please don't fall on my head!<br />[Photo credit: Ben Sharp]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An absolutely super day out and i'd seriously recommend linking up routes as a fun mountaineering excursion. The changing of rope systems and the continual interest from picking the best lines really makes a good day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out even more photos in the gallery by clicking any of the photos above!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-70743342753424642252012-05-27T04:38:00.001-07:002012-05-27T04:52:54.968-07:00Tower Ridge<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Owen and James' alpine training saga continues. Today I finally got around to climbing Tower Ridge, a route that has been sat on the wishlist for quite a while now. What a day to do it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a leisurely start from the North Face car park we sweated up the brutal gradient to emerge in wall to wall sunshine</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869988719&k=ZKqmCkF&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The ridge looms above"><img alt="The ridge looms above" height="266" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-ZKqmCkF/0/M/DSC3240-M.jpg" title="The ridge looms above" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ridges comes into view</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We considered doing the douglas boulder direct route to start but decided against it as we weren't sure of the time it would add on. So, we went around to the normal approach and scrambled up the gully to start the 20m chimney pitch.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869989598&k=Vptvr3M&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="James on the 20m chimney after Douglas Gap"><img alt="James on the 20m chimney after Douglas Gap" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-Vptvr3M/0/M/DSC3246-M.jpg" title="James on the 20m chimney after Douglas Gap" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">James on the 20m chimney</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We wanted to approach the route in an alpine manner, i.e. moving together. I pushed the idea that we put the rope away on sections where we were happy soloing, however we found this led to more time being wasted where we need to get it out again. The result was that we kept the rope on the whole time and went from pitching to moving together quite smoothly from there on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Line of least resistance' was the next lesson in alpine style movement. We opted for the uber direct line on the little tower which involved me taking a few moves that James described as VDiff 5a. This slowed us down a little bit, which although not a problem today....in the Alps this could prove a problem.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869990384&k=JS7gFdF&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="James not loving the VDiff 5a!"><img alt="James not loving the VDiff 5a!" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-JS7gFdF/0/M/DSC3254-M.jpg" title="James not loving the VDiff 5a!" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Was that really necessary??"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The conditions couldn't have been better for this route, with perfectly dry rock and just the right temperature when not moving too fast. We'd already learnt our lesson (ref: </span><a href="http://remoteexposure.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/snowholes-and-sunburn.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Snowholes and Sunburn</span></a>) <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of not using sun cream when the sun's out and I was trialing the purchase of a new hat. Oh, and some boots (Scarpa Charmoz) which were both excellent - the left and the right foot ;)</span></div>
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869990955&k=fDprBGn&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Perfect alpine route"><img alt="Perfect alpine route" height="266" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-fDprBGn/0/M/DSC3257-M.jpg" title="Perfect alpine route" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best part of the route is really reserved for the top sections. Mindful of the 'fake eastern traverse' we kept going until the slightly overhanging face of the great tower blocked our way and the traverse became obvious. It's easy to see how that becomes scary when banked out in winter, providing essentially a slide down into Observatory Gully! In summer however, it was relatively straightforward and let around to the fallen block chimney. This was my favourite bit of the day. Remnants of winter still lined the chimney which probably made it easier than it would normally be, then a lovely exposed climb out to the crest again, atop the great tower.......then the Gap!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869991982&k=k2zLwv4&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Me on the eastern traverse"><img alt="Me on the eastern traverse" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-k2zLwv4/0/M/DSC3267-M.jpg" title="Me on the eastern traverse" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me on the eastern traverse</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869992441&k=nmLTgQM&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Looking back down the fallen block chimney with remaining snow"><img alt="Looking back down the fallen block chimney with remaining snow" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-nmLTgQM/0/M/DSC3274-M.jpg" title="Looking back down the fallen block chimney with remaining snow" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking back down the fallen block chimney</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had been anticipating Tower Gap ever since I had first read the route description and seen pictures so long ago, and admittedly from everything i'd heard/seen it looked terrifying. With the caveat that, shrouded in mist and covered in snow it would probably make a grown man cry, today in these conditions I didn't find it too bad. Sure enough, the down climb is quite a long step down but the exposure didn't have me with my heart in my throat. I can only hope this is a good sign for the exposed Chamonix ridges to come in June!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869994454&k=zLwGqhJ&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Looking down Glovers Chimney from tower gap"><img alt="Looking down Glovers Chimney from tower gap" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-zLwGqhJ/0/M/DSC3289-M.jpg" title="Looking down Glovers Chimney from tower gap" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking down Glover's Chimney from the gap</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869995208&k=kR4Lj4f&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Nailed it!"><img alt="Nailed it!" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-kR4Lj4f/0/M/DSC3293-M.jpg" title="Nailed it!" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">James making the big step down<br />(on this part you disappear out of sight into the gap<br />before re-emerging up the other side)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All that was left was the final section up to the plateau which looked worse from afar than it actually was. Some remaining icy steps required caution, but we managed to move quickly with two runners between us. We went to the summit for the obligatory trig point shot, and ended up doing a litter sweep. I was outraged to see the amount of rubbish that people have discarded around the shelter, including vodka bottles! We used our lunch bags to gather up what we could but I dare say it won't have made a dent in the amount that's up there.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869997609&k=tbLZGzP&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Double thumbs up"><img alt="Double thumbs up" height="266" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-tbLZGzP/0/M/DSC3318-M.jpg" title="Double thumbs up" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Double thumbs up!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869997125&k=d4xVwzg&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Eastern traverse, great tower and tower gap in profile"><img alt="Eastern traverse, great tower and tower gap in profile" height="266" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-d4xVwzg/0/M/DSC3315-M.jpg" title="Eastern traverse, great tower and tower gap in profile" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eastern Traverse, Great Tower and Tower Gap in profile</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869997438&k=mbnRpvX&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The rest of the ridge in profile"><img alt="The rest of the ridge in profile" height="266" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-mbnRpvX/0/M/DSC3316-M.jpg" title="The rest of the ridge in profile" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A mighty ridge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869998450&k=rXkcGGx&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ben Nevis North Face"><img alt="Ben Nevis North Face" height="266" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-rXkcGGx/0/M/DSC3336-M.jpg" title="Ben Nevis North Face" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ben Nevis North Face after the tedious descent</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/23199122_pDvpdP#!i=1869999946&k=2j7qCzz&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Two bags of rubbish from the summit"><img alt="Two bags of rubbish from the summit" height="266" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120526-Tower-Ridge/i-2j7qCzz/0/M/DSC3343-M.jpg" title="Two bags of rubbish from the summit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An utter disgrace partly rectified</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apologies for the amount of pictures, but it seems right to do justice to such a brilliant day out. Lessons learnt and lots of fun had. If you having any viewing energy left, click the photos above to view the gallery for a more detailed view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We thought we were the only people on the ridge today but it looks like Alan Halewood beat us to it: </span><a href="http://alanhalewood.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/blistering-on-ben-and-after-thoughts.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blistering on Ben and after thoughts</span></a></div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-73524912552549885852012-05-24T13:46:00.000-07:002012-05-24T13:46:52.302-07:00Curved Ridge and Tarmachan Bivi<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week has been a tiring week at work with a few late evenings. Subsequently, I have been really lazy with the photos this week (and the blog update for that matter). Hopefully this laziness won't become a trend. Ha, who am I kidding!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Met up with James on Saturday morning and had a leisurely cup of tea at the Kinghouse Hotel. "Yes, that is all we were getting Mrs. Hotel Lady, but don't worry we'll be back for another cup later." The near on 20 hours of sunlight we are getting now meant we were in no rush to hit our objective for the day: Curved Ridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120519/23159315_7L3dDN#!i=1866009321&k=5GDLHk7&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" height="266" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120519/i-5GDLHk7/0/M/DSC3126-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the great herdsman of Etive</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With flights to <em style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">Genève</em></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">booked and big plans for a week in Chamonix, some desperate skills and fitness training has been programmed on mu part. The last few weeks of sofa and biscuit filled evenings is not conducive to the alpine 'fast and light' mantra. So, the general plan was: lets practice moving together on easy ground and descending ridges.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alpine tactics</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pictures tell the story really, but it was a successful day with an aborted attempt on Agag's Groove in big boots. We rescued a guys rope, but to be quite honest the first pitch had me wishing for rock shoes.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets come back another day</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talking of shoes...I stupidly tried on James' Scarpa Charmoz and found them too comfy not to immediately buy a pair. Why does everything have to be so shiny??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not wanting to stop whilst on a roll and having not achieved my goal of winter bivi, I was determined to spend the night out under the stars. Plus, having left Inverness heading for Perth and with new boots and rope on the horizon, a hostel wasn't an option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a cracking suggestion from James I went to Loch Tay and kipped halfway up towards Tarmachan Ridge. Apart from having the b'jesus scared out of me by a passing grouse, I had a pretty good nights sleep. Awake in time to see the sun rising and listening to the bird songs (which in the morning silence sounded like Daft Punk!) I was on the route by 6am.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bed for the night</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Digital Love</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 'awkward down climb' which I thought would be a walk in the park turned out to be near deadly due to being covered entirely in verglass. After 10 mins of pondering my options I launched my bag down the rocks and hoped for the best. Armed with a walking pole and my fell shoes I somehow got down without slipping and bouncing my way down. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Exposure....blink and you'll miss it</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that it was all just a bit of walking in the mist until the return path home. Pretty pleased with an extra bit of hill mileage carrying bivi kit, all done by 10am! Plus, didn't see another soul until back at the car park watching several groups just starting. Ace. </span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-59779397734449504032012-05-13T04:10:00.000-07:002012-05-13T04:10:14.238-07:00Snowholes and Sunburn<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On saturday Scotland kindly reminded me why I love it so much! Here's the score:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only a month or so ago I was trad climbing on dry rock. In fact, at the end of March i'd solo'd next to Fingers Ridge onto a dry plateau and down a very dry Fiaciall Ridge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what May looks like...</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120512-Snowhole-Sunburn/22948269_ZJ2ZDQ#!i=1844140586&k=gjFtdFB&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" height="60" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120512-Snowhole-Sunburn/i-gjFtdFB/0/M/DSC2870-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, despite a bit of a cold I met James and Robbie in the rapidly busying car park at about 9am (a start you can easily get away with when sunset is 21:30!) Lots of skiers about, I suppose it's only right they get some fun this winter too :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A plan was hatched to go up Fiacaill Ridge onto the plateau then head towards Ben Macdui and muck about along the way. I'd had a image of an overcast miserable day in my head from looking at the forecast. Fortunately, it wasn't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With not a great deal of effort, we plowed up the ridge until hitting the scramble section. Having done it in winter once, roped, and in descent in summer, I was keen to give it a go solo. Robbie didn't waste any time and was deliberately picking out the most difficult line, he probably could have made it grade IV if he wanted.</span><br />
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<a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120512-Snowhole-Sunburn/22948269_ZJ2ZDQ#!i=1844130154&k=kc2WQc2&lb=1&s=A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" height="400" src="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/Climbing-Trips/20120512-Snowhole-Sunburn/i-kc2WQc2/0/M/DSC2887-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We found a nice little area to build a snowhole, which is something i've not done before so we set to work. Well, when I say we, I mean mostly James and Robbie. It was t-shirt weather if you can believe it! "Should have brought the suncream" says Robbie. Oh god, how I wish I'd taken that statement on board!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little bigger me thinks</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to my abode..</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Satisfied with our achievement and leaving it to some passers-by as a 'lunch tavern' we plodded on. We got just past Hell's Lum and saw the line of dots (ski laden dots I must add) heading to Macdui. Partly due to the cold, partly as I knew my legs would hurt I suggested we didn't go all the way to Macdui. I'm slightly annoyed at myself for not pushing it a little bit, but ultimately we made it back in time for tea, so we were winning in the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All round a successful day, not a great deal of mileage but some lessons learnt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Snowhole 101: don't reach for things that burst through the ceiling</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - No matter how many times you walk that circuit, feet always ache</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - Sun + Snow = extreme UV. Sunglasses don't protect face.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This looks good</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As always, click any of the above photos to access the album for a photo-by-photo account of the day.</span></div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-48882243922945579862012-04-29T05:19:00.002-07:002012-04-29T05:19:08.309-07:00Legaston<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Managed to sneak a day of sunny climbing in and happy to see people again. Legaston Quarry was the destination of the day and proved a winner! The weather probably helped too as we were treated with sunshine most of the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The routes here are typically not starred, with only the harder ones receiving 3 stars. Still, for an easy access crag you can't really complain, even if some bushwhacking is required to avoid walking past the cottage!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Having been out of the swing of things for a while, I wasn't feeling my best on the lead even with those shiny bolts sparkling with a voice that just says "bomber". The first F5+ presented a significant challenge to myself and my attemp was abandoned for Calum to complete, which he did in fine style.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The "F6a" that Calum took in his stride</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a feeling that Calum's sheer athleticism is down to his trademark food which is packed full of performance enhancing nutrients and vitamins. I think I need to jump on this band wagon if I am to succeed at any trad this summer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stephi and Alasdair were a fitting climbing pair as not only were they both very strongly climbing the F6c missions of the crag, but also were both in possession of some outstanding head wear! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall, good routes were done by all. F6c's by Team Hat , Calum's success on a few 6a's which had me stumped. Alper and co (really sorry, I forgot your names :$) were nailing routes left, right and centre. Myself, I managed one VS in the most dreadful style ever witnessed and that was the only route out of about 4/5 I tried that I actually finished. Action for me is to get to the wall and start training for summer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click any of the photos above to be taken to the album on my site. Please look around see if you likey :D</span></div>
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</div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-39206512136417637102012-04-09T08:58:00.001-07:002012-04-09T09:18:21.996-07:00Evolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First off: new posts are on their way. I'm sure people are dying to know what I've been up to. Connectivity issues have slowed progress, but it is now 'in hand' (this is a phrase that I use and hear a lot now). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The blog has recieved a little 'sprucening up' over the last day or two. Yes, I have glued myself to the PC and learnt approximately 2.5% of all there is to know about HTML and CSS, but come out the otherside with a cleaner looking blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />The best bit however, is that I finally got around to doing something about my online albums!! The <a href="http://remoteexposure.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">Gallery</a> link in the top right hand corner of the blog will now whisk you away to a neatly packaged online collection of photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My intentions had been to bundle the blog and albums into a single website with my own domain name, but given the heartache required to manipulated it so far, i'll leave that for a very rainy day! Also, I think you'd agree i've done a pretty decent job of aligning the look and feel of both sites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy :D</span></div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-27793087444750886142012-02-19T12:28:00.000-08:002012-04-09T09:39:47.183-07:00A short Sunday bimble<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I awoke at 4am to the sound of 'In the Air Tonight' (the Nonpoint cover) in preparation for my first visit to Lochnagar. The forecast of snow and sub zero temps had me on the edge of my.....well, bed. Alas, it was not to be as the A93 was closed due to the snowfall. Disappointment? Or blessing in disguise?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was climbing today with Mark. We'd not met before but had had a day out planned for a while and had set the objective of the Southern sector at Lochnagar. A quick selection of Plan B in the car and we headed up the A9 to the safe bet - Northern Corries. Thanks to the early start we were the first on the scene but were left wondering if everyone else knew something we didn't!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After waiting at the snow gates for a while then quickly gearing up we headed up towards Mess of Pottage, as we couldn't see any other crags we thought this would give us a couple of solid options. We intended on the Haston Line III,4 (or IV, 4 in the other book?) but after the hard slog up there we went for the not-so-knackering option of Jacobs Edge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The route is pretty good in that you can pick your own line anywhere between I-IV. We picked a couple of blocky sections that made the route about II overall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The clag started to lift and offered some nice views of the rest of the corrie. How silly I was to think we might be in the corrie on our own! I could count around 40 people, just that I could see, and 20 of those people must have been on Aladdin's Couloir! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just as is my extraordinary luck these days we topped out just as the sun broke through the cloud. Lovely scenery right over the back to the Loch Avon basin, with Carn Etchachan shouting "climb me, climb me!" Also, the earliest i've been at the top of a climb, 12:30. We had time to do another route, but we were content with our Sunday morning bimble; we'd got some fresh air, seen some sunshine and got a route under our belts. Back down for tea and biscuits and home in time for dinner was the order of the day. Cheers for the company Mark!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I fear this could be one of the last days of winter I will see this year, with major thaw setting in for this week. Here's to trad climbing in March!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1431609846"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">TRIP ALBUM</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-42896116359434309532012-02-14T15:26:00.000-08:002012-02-14T15:26:21.927-08:004x4 Training<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Had a bit of fun today on the first day of an NPORS 4x4 training course with Contour Training. Assessment day tomorrow, so got to remember to keep off the throttle when going downhill!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-67030840385531088302012-02-14T14:58:00.000-08:002012-02-14T15:00:56.057-08:00FA's, Jokes and New Horizons..<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Constant, full weekends have finally taken their toll on me. This weekend had some long walks, warm weather and was very tiring.....but what a weekend it was!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday I headed to Beinn an Dothaidh above Bridge of Orchy with Euan and Ruaridh as I'd heard it was a "reliable venue". In my defence, the turbo thaw was destroying anything in condition so my point could still be valid. With optimistic minds we stomped up, sans map (like good ML's), into the mist to find something around grade III in condition.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of many 'skiing' episodes</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Yea, there it is......"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Ultimately we found wet snow, unfrozen turf and generally unpleasant climbing conditions. Determined to make the most of the day out, we set about playing around like kids. First we made an entirely unnecessary abseil, complete with razor blade flying rock, only to re-ascend pretty much back the way we came onto the terrace. We then traversed around to the far west end of the corrie and climbed the easiest line up to the west top before a couple of hero shots and an action packed descent down the north ridge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> * This is probably not an actual first ascent</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The highlight of the descent (for me anyway) was our second new route of the day *chortle*. A stunning line straight up the impressive north ridge, this 3m ice route was sustained and pumpy. So much so that the weight of two axes, crampons, ropes and gear was too much for Euan and Roo, so they made a brave 'light and fast' assault on this formidable route. The first of the party made a desperate leap for the last hook and topped out successfully, reporting quality ice and bomber placements. Unfortunately, tragedy nearly hit when the second of the party needed to resort to a highly technical 'figure-four' manoeuvre in order to complete the last sequence. His placement ripped and he was sent plummeting to the base of the route, stopped only from falling to the bottom of the ridge by a well placed boulder. Mountain rescue was apparently on more pressing business, so he manned up and descended under his own steam.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First Ascent: "Rocket Lolly" WI1+</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'll just try this figure-four..."</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn-Hoi5YcdGgoGJmCOS3s7Z_IYyC7127ANevdh9oOdxKdmg00pCNbblkqerPsiMIEBDx7W4cHtllatS3D5kRK0G7s5MXSlh3FFRGXcrgXf83Acp-TqoQYaYGLeC2G96RnISznug211EkP/s1600/Far+West+Gully+(30+of+31).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn-Hoi5YcdGgoGJmCOS3s7Z_IYyC7127ANevdh9oOdxKdmg00pCNbblkqerPsiMIEBDx7W4cHtllatS3D5kRK0G7s5MXSlh3FFRGXcrgXf83Acp-TqoQYaYGLeC2G96RnISznug211EkP/s320/Far+West+Gully+(30+of+31).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>No.3 Gully Buttress, III***</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Sunday I met up with Jez whom i'd climbed with last year and Ruth, Phoebe and Sophie who had driven up with him from Surrey. The plan: big day on Ben Nevis....I was excited, the time had finally come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We set off in darkness and immediately came up against the steep path through the forest which had me sweating buckets even in just a baselayer. 2 hours saw us to the CIC hut and I began to catch glimpses of the North Face through the mist. I'd had the idea that it would be smaller than I imagined and that the pictures over-emphasised the face....oh, how wrong I was!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jez was to take the two girls towards Ledge route and I was going to climb with Ruth. We had a little think and discussion and ultimately settled on making the effort to get to No.3 Gully Buttress. Coire na Ciste was almost like a friendly village as we went up through the mist, leap-frogging other parties and meeting people on descent, we exchanged 'mountain pleasantries' and occasionally said "that's No.3 gully there, right?"</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hyphenhyphenAc7jioruy3_YswKnp8C5Fwbh5c9pp3Q9gwGtu707f9aaeYRv0-6ciQvvDYVyxa7Ez35AdCn-dBuJ4TfNMr5DW52BJ1JJeu_TUBUKEJl14g8Q1E_lQ8nMG37BzDDBhsguTNRXfXEGRA/s1600/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(2+of+33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hyphenhyphenAc7jioruy3_YswKnp8C5Fwbh5c9pp3Q9gwGtu707f9aaeYRv0-6ciQvvDYVyxa7Ez35AdCn-dBuJ4TfNMr5DW52BJ1JJeu_TUBUKEJl14g8Q1E_lQ8nMG37BzDDBhsguTNRXfXEGRA/s320/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(2+of+33).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The approach</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JnmEqkyiENvYbouwVDaHYOJna29-mOuao487ko6eqY960cvgSeQX2idISq349lv1q3YIZwxz81m96HFA0HxefhA8cn5B1SITd8PXO_f-CKhaBMFOX7K4gfBlJ9OXJAzQv5QIZxcUSmkt/s1600/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(5+of+33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JnmEqkyiENvYbouwVDaHYOJna29-mOuao487ko6eqY960cvgSeQX2idISq349lv1q3YIZwxz81m96HFA0HxefhA8cn5B1SITd8PXO_f-CKhaBMFOX7K4gfBlJ9OXJAzQv5QIZxcUSmkt/s320/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(5+of+33).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ruth up the first pitch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The route eventually appeared in front of us and I was surprised how easily we found it, even if it did take 2 hours from the hut. It was at this point I was regretting the previous day on the hill and realised my hill fitness isn't up to scratch. Ruth led the first pitch up the snow ramp traversing first left, then back right. I did the next pitch up to the snow bay, stopping a little bit too early. This was due to a number of things: 1) sweat dripping down my face was making me blind; 2) wasn't sure how much rope left and 3) I was chuffing knackered. This was the point where I lost my sense of humour, cursing sugar snow and generally being a bit grumpy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8ozg5JyEmEl42bBzlyMQ5jecwwvqVvf9xc6pv9CAnRtZ3r5RgiQ9QC416_YQeDXuloh-Bzqex4vNK9abwOaOcUm3l-zQE-7kqZjLQUHhQEFo9VVYw-EHBmy7hX6VBzqbDGnW9KuYFFTd/s1600/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(6+of+33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8ozg5JyEmEl42bBzlyMQ5jecwwvqVvf9xc6pv9CAnRtZ3r5RgiQ9QC416_YQeDXuloh-Bzqex4vNK9abwOaOcUm3l-zQE-7kqZjLQUHhQEFo9VVYw-EHBmy7hX6VBzqbDGnW9KuYFFTd/s320/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(6+of+33).jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting used to Ben Nevis exposure</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ruth did a short pitch to get us just below the crux then kindly reminded me to man up, stop whinging and have something to eat. After much grumbling I set off for the crux pitch, not completely happy but determined to get off the route. At first a bit of 'holy crap, holy crap, holy crap' whilst pulling over the first rocky section then seeing the incredibly exposed traverse, but then a wave of happiness spread over me. Getting off the crappy snow ramps and onto to proper mixed terrain really changed my mood.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaDyBjmXq1t4cA0mzJN8nvZiNJ24BsDPKKh5pC-UFoCQ19UHi7p6XPnabXydWXDumBPAOyGuzVVC1syAzSNnJSqWk7lREz6MZqFprEhJ1sZnqc41O2eS-8wQaxtn7WOFljlSeQFSrHir5/s1600/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(9+of+33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaDyBjmXq1t4cA0mzJN8nvZiNJ24BsDPKKh5pC-UFoCQ19UHi7p6XPnabXydWXDumBPAOyGuzVVC1syAzSNnJSqWk7lREz6MZqFprEhJ1sZnqc41O2eS-8wQaxtn7WOFljlSeQFSrHir5/s320/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(9+of+33).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ruth on the short traverse before the crux</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly after stopping for a breather (yes, I am that unfit) I made a belay and was joined by a chap from Manchester doing Thompson's Route. Ruth arrived at the belay and had such cold hands she stormed up the last pitch (that I thought was pretty dicey) and into the sunshine. The top out couldn't have been more amazing. I think only the pictures can really tell the story, but I think it rates as one of my best hill days ever! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jez and the girls had been super quick on Ledge route and had beaten us to the summit and were on the way down. After my bimbling around taking photos and trying not to fall through any cornices we caught up with them at the abseil posts on CMD arete before descending to Coire Leis and the long trudge back for a time of 12 hours car to car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another awesome day with awesome people. Just goes to show that a bit of warm weather will necessarily ruin your day.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxkZnMxWTo285IuoMcYEBY9P9G5XV8qedAIuO9ZBofNangHU-kb2o2a3kvJPy3pCkVzcCnapRoqESVHb9YhiMPPHz_-7PsRLVP5ZO6GM_BAZ39h5i7tnIoovCZG0WB2hl4fIXFyHvWEPs/s1600/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(12+of+33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxkZnMxWTo285IuoMcYEBY9P9G5XV8qedAIuO9ZBofNangHU-kb2o2a3kvJPy3pCkVzcCnapRoqESVHb9YhiMPPHz_-7PsRLVP5ZO6GM_BAZ39h5i7tnIoovCZG0WB2hl4fIXFyHvWEPs/s320/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(12+of+33).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz_8b2pfTtuOZGhckUqHFvQB9632pafIPKC85oRyftbibYN_mGzk07OcE30k-9nZ9rz-ErIqY06zzyPy9f7I842DfqLmRb4Sas6iw87REfSiKurI-SRXRSmR8uLcHZQzva_5A317IewZO/s1600/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(14+of+33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz_8b2pfTtuOZGhckUqHFvQB9632pafIPKC85oRyftbibYN_mGzk07OcE30k-9nZ9rz-ErIqY06zzyPy9f7I842DfqLmRb4Sas6iw87REfSiKurI-SRXRSmR8uLcHZQzva_5A317IewZO/s320/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(14+of+33).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'The French Guys' no doubt their 3rd route of the day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKJ6HZO0Hup68U0dxnl1q4AsDa-Xwj-SaSKsek5Invn2GiHfD_ahqiD6k9RMDNa0-TZNvnYhPHislJnqO9DYpXv_US2s11H6gM8tndKg1smHessGj8YyQckw01dpXqAW-SG5OCJ5xJeas/s1600/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(26+of+33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKJ6HZO0Hup68U0dxnl1q4AsDa-Xwj-SaSKsek5Invn2GiHfD_ahqiD6k9RMDNa0-TZNvnYhPHislJnqO9DYpXv_US2s11H6gM8tndKg1smHessGj8YyQckw01dpXqAW-SG5OCJ5xJeas/s320/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(26+of+33).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obligatory summit shot</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAAFMkP7tmerCMY_JXwijd22608GLcnlc3FYu7cAQcmaNyLdElIpILalCAF58qeryiDYafmaSIsxuhbTkbrUU_X93HQwcYRaCWOY72GFnzy7Y6STRNA2N69KqOaP0BobeqBX1juYaxXWE/s1600/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(31+of+33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAAFMkP7tmerCMY_JXwijd22608GLcnlc3FYu7cAQcmaNyLdElIpILalCAF58qeryiDYafmaSIsxuhbTkbrUU_X93HQwcYRaCWOY72GFnzy7Y6STRNA2N69KqOaP0BobeqBX1juYaxXWE/s320/No.3+Gully+Buttress+(31+of+33).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No need for abseil here...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Please check out more photos below (opens in new window)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beinn an Dothaidh</span><span style="font-family: Cyclo;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ben Nevis</span><span style="font-family: Cyclo;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/112186794297303246331/BeinnAnDothaidh?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM286NadsNyMHA&feat=embedwebsite" target="_blank" title="Dothaidh">
<img alt="pic name" height="180" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H1yb116Otw0/TzrkmWG9-UE/AAAAAAAABEw/MIZ9hACCdwc/s160-c/BeinnAnDothaidh.jpg" width="180" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/112186794297303246331/No3GullyButtress?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCN2kiriUicOnxwE&feat=embedwebsite" target="_blank" title="Ben Nevis">
<img alt="pic name" height="180" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XvtQd-wQo_k/TzrkhIeUefE/AAAAAAAABGQ/nelJUlni2sw/s160-c/No3GullyButtress.jpg" width="180" /></a></td>
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</div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-6134280013251840002012-02-06T14:39:00.000-08:002012-02-06T14:39:49.759-08:00Torridon<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This weekend was the long anticipated DURC trip to the Ling Hut in Torridon. With nearly 30 people signed onto the trip, the YHA was booked for the overflow. The drive went pretty quickly, which I think was because I was not behind the wheel this time! A late night arrival followed by typical mass faffing ultimately led to the climbers getting the hut (for an ambitious early start) and the walkers heading to the cosy hostel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I say cosy hostel as, on arrival, we found out that the generator in the hut was broken. Still, us climberers are hardy folk and frozen pipes are taken in our stride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The path to the hut was pretty icy and those who preferred not to use headtorches did more dancing than walking. After much chat we finally bedded down about 00:30 intending to get up at 06:00.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tDodfdVam4ozCyZZYvDSHhGIJvLhWyspHzMMeaG_1YOg2yjF66nn95vheVF1oz1vaw3LxrrWPe9Ta63afE4FuyyHGEgjVSBIjs8TSh1Tmq0PJb0h7c6S2OkU1zywrpwpSszM-Ml_PUTE/s1600/Torridon+(33+of+40).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tDodfdVam4ozCyZZYvDSHhGIJvLhWyspHzMMeaG_1YOg2yjF66nn95vheVF1oz1vaw3LxrrWPe9Ta63afE4FuyyHGEgjVSBIjs8TSh1Tmq0PJb0h7c6S2OkU1zywrpwpSszM-Ml_PUTE/s320/Torridon+(33+of+40).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beinn Eighe across the loch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The forecast for the weekend promised grim weather. Undeterred, we arose at 06:00 with our plans in mind and a large amount of optimism. Looking outside we were greeted we drizzle and wind. Before any of us had really woken up and made breakfast, Nik and Steve we nearly out the door. Nik was wearing a very old, very long waterproof (read: cagoule) and looked very much like I imagine many first ascensionist of the area once looked. A photo was taken of the pair before they set off towards Coire Mhic Fhearchair</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> a) to show MRT and b) to put in the meets book in their memory.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAOEtEfQPkXifbM9xPl5rGlaDlLRLYOzM70hIalwyUqq3MA8K8HHnRpWHhzmmjP2cMB_7-aWfqItsf3m8BN55vWATDbKXrHuegsRLZnsnZpDk9hyVLsQRKNuhYSaC1iP5W2WoWIoCpJ6O/s1600/Torridon+(35+of+40).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAOEtEfQPkXifbM9xPl5rGlaDlLRLYOzM70hIalwyUqq3MA8K8HHnRpWHhzmmjP2cMB_7-aWfqItsf3m8BN55vWATDbKXrHuegsRLZnsnZpDk9hyVLsQRKNuhYSaC1iP5W2WoWIoCpJ6O/s320/Torridon+(35+of+40).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">South side of Spidean</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Myself, Anna and Tim set off about 07:00 up the coire dubh path toward the north side of Liathach. Given the forecast I'd set aside my hopes of East Buttress of Beinn Eighe and thought that George III,4 would provide a good plan B outing. After about 3 hours of approach struggling to keep up with Tim we made it to the bottom and swiftly geared up, then solo'd up the first easy section.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did the 1st and 3rd(crux) pitches and Tim did the 2nd and 4th(chockstone) pitches as his first winter leads. Not bad at all really! All I can really say about the route was that it was very fun and in good condition considering the horrible rain we endured throughout. I think the pictures tell the best story with respect to the weather (i.e. my camera is constantly wet!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj3gKLc3SOkFsrUA98Qif9Xb4xhvMtX_4M-whS4koiZwfIQH1QtHb_nX_o08eyqc-IU5O4Z9v5m7dKzh_H4CewqASehprtP5tyoWrVGK9HvZzlF5egN67fETkZO-qIPGy_r1SC_qzJ_yW/s1600/Torridon+(2+of+40).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj3gKLc3SOkFsrUA98Qif9Xb4xhvMtX_4M-whS4koiZwfIQH1QtHb_nX_o08eyqc-IU5O4Z9v5m7dKzh_H4CewqASehprtP5tyoWrVGK9HvZzlF5egN67fETkZO-qIPGy_r1SC_qzJ_yW/s320/Torridon+(2+of+40).jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTgaTFn330d_SzHGIfpojukBQEvQC5uW0shI0RsBiSive2q_Ula2DkKMD_6Oh1kclSAp3qULVON2tDAKfF24CnQ0JYUIwKjpn6NYCAocUZd8yUVo84tzAbi_uTFctO8zvFnbyhdLNuCuX/s1600/Torridon+(7+of+40).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTgaTFn330d_SzHGIfpojukBQEvQC5uW0shI0RsBiSive2q_Ula2DkKMD_6Oh1kclSAp3qULVON2tDAKfF24CnQ0JYUIwKjpn6NYCAocUZd8yUVo84tzAbi_uTFctO8zvFnbyhdLNuCuX/s320/Torridon+(7+of+40).jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just before the chockstone</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Team Paramo</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCeBmO51iuiLrqIpkbPgDwHMFpfJVezjRVHs6_rCuCw1YlR8YgJ42cLh00LLBPKE1uZH9ELzfyISqrnYksOWIoaZCgkYsnZFJsqw6-LqUJGzojK9jkQFHsZr7Q8Nzoiax2rqwqpWzEyQW/s1600/Torridon+(19+of+40).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCeBmO51iuiLrqIpkbPgDwHMFpfJVezjRVHs6_rCuCw1YlR8YgJ42cLh00LLBPKE1uZH9ELzfyISqrnYksOWIoaZCgkYsnZFJsqw6-LqUJGzojK9jkQFHsZr7Q8Nzoiax2rqwqpWzEyQW/s320/Torridon+(19+of+40).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The looong way down</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I noticed on UKC that Andy Nisbet had done the route the previous day and thought it hard for the grade. As my first substantial ice I'm pretty pleased, as even though on the crux I wasn't sure if my trousers were wet from rain or not, in retrospect I didn't find it that bad at all. I won't embarrass Anna, but lets just say she had fun on the chockstone! :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We descended the south side of Liathach which was steep and unrelenting but favorable over the long walk around from the North side. We were treated to sunshine for the last half an hour and achieved amazing timing by catching the passing minibus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday was a well earnt rest day. Besides, I had the mother of all headaches which I think was due to sleeping besides the fire and potentially getting gased all night. I did feel light a few brain cells first thing in the morning.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/112186794297303246331/Torridon?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLO6m-78vZ7KSg&feat=directlink" target="_blank">More photos</a></span></blockquote>
</div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-47155616675629691822012-01-30T15:00:00.000-08:002012-01-30T15:00:58.414-08:00A picnic at 1000m<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After driving what seemed like a billion miles for my friends wedding in Stafford and a late evening at the Banff UK screening in Glasgow, I stopped at Stewart's flat for a couple of hours kip before heading up to Glencoe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plan A was North Buttress on Buachaille Etive Mor however from the Kinghouse carp park it didn't look favourable. Plus, I was quick to mention that I was absolutely shattered. Paradoxically, I did then go on to suggest we try Raeburns Route IV,4 in SCNL, with probably the stiffest walk in the Glen! Fatigue aside we packed bags and started the arduous slog uphill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The standard approach time of 1hr45ish raced by in sweat soaked conversation. It was warm! We arrived in the coire and were treated to some dramatic views of the buttresses disappearing every few minutes into the cloud. There were lots of teams in the coire, spread all over the place. Two teams were on Raeburns and in the time taken to gear up and approach, the first team hadn't got too far along.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaoFIK_4uaV38lxGdjEISGDe1yqDDZC9iaMpDOmfG5qCsERevziEKPm_550TF5Sbv14ca7dPxBbtOMJPk-oH9g7p4FrBPjEthAQjfL0rVSJqTQlm5bxaNYnZgNFXYVDcbUh9jxF7tqJd1/s1600/Dorsal+(1+of+13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaoFIK_4uaV38lxGdjEISGDe1yqDDZC9iaMpDOmfG5qCsERevziEKPm_550TF5Sbv14ca7dPxBbtOMJPk-oH9g7p4FrBPjEthAQjfL0rVSJqTQlm5bxaNYnZgNFXYVDcbUh9jxF7tqJd1/s320/Dorsal+(1+of+13).jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We decided to change plan and try a direct approach on Dorsal Arete. I'd done the route previously but with time moving on and not being prepared for ice we headed over. This, in hindsight, was a bad idea with Dorsal Arete being like Covent Garden tube station in all but the worst conditions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started up the variation start which probably went around III. My eyes were glued to a 'straight up the middle' line but on reaching a verglas choked overhanging corner, my unfamiliarity with Andesite and my fear got the better of me. Instead I traversed by wading across powder filled ledges and occasionally having to bridge over a couple of wide cracks. Did I mention I hate traversing?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaImuqAsRSGjkcBGbitKN6QexIcB9wUBaABhhE-RpEIvyoErlLPQ4k7qxW7mCbMpvMZSIODqPbNprI0uFlOUTdpXsBXmNZ04vY3SlTLo3B63tiLCftvjwMf4eZVeZa3RSNCfnS-4aeqKs/s1600/Dorsal+(4+of+13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaImuqAsRSGjkcBGbitKN6QexIcB9wUBaABhhE-RpEIvyoErlLPQ4k7qxW7mCbMpvMZSIODqPbNprI0uFlOUTdpXsBXmNZ04vY3SlTLo3B63tiLCftvjwMf4eZVeZa3RSNCfnS-4aeqKs/s320/Dorsal+(4+of+13).jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stewart coming up the variation start</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lKqHqJYPkQepvvfLBb8-QnNKqpx84yDSq94-04zqjaua7dmuBfzQaMvmi3gFvbOOI2g4yTBS9jzscxKvFLt0cTaBAvq9sG3ZcjAWIxi1DMtkDAwu9AcnO3x54UEXY_T0VTqdwO4yp_j4/s1600/Dorsal+(6+of+13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lKqHqJYPkQepvvfLBb8-QnNKqpx84yDSq94-04zqjaua7dmuBfzQaMvmi3gFvbOOI2g4yTBS9jzscxKvFLt0cTaBAvq9sG3ZcjAWIxi1DMtkDAwu9AcnO3x54UEXY_T0VTqdwO4yp_j4/s320/Dorsal+(6+of+13).jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Climber descending Broad Gully</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the first belay on the route proper now it was clear what a mistake it was to join this route. None the less, we joined the cue and had a chat with the people in front. James got the next pitch.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7AWNAG8a18v4EvKwssxicXJTBmfHrzXPeY4lbTGppk__F3ZBndQDIf8xcz7xR2V6glK-L4fSpp12uOAi4cX2hadIankBql4jDHnHgn9IwQjL481woRBHguvqJVpqxWJ8krTB5TEMzolh/s1600/Dorsal+(8+of+13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7AWNAG8a18v4EvKwssxicXJTBmfHrzXPeY4lbTGppk__F3ZBndQDIf8xcz7xR2V6glK-L4fSpp12uOAi4cX2hadIankBql4jDHnHgn9IwQjL481woRBHguvqJVpqxWJ8krTB5TEMzolh/s320/Dorsal+(8+of+13).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'll just pop up and have a look" I said, before disappearing off up the next easy section. I'm told whilst I was away the tea was drunk and it was the last time it was warm....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I met up with the guys in front (Becky and casparmck) and could now behold the aforementioned tube station. They decided to walk off the side into Broad Gully rather than wait. As we'd already passed up Raeburn's I thought we'd just stick around waiting. So James and Stewart came up to join me and we had a little picnic.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9ENjjh5RF1EF8K4GYDUSszycWNsWDCToPSCsQhrpzIKXx_w7wjsod6wYtIhGR8HXSztMHW87DOE1JiWJvHIdiQk1SuemTBILk37kk3w4KT5wYigSzpTNz-rEeD7ontfwejeFHUg8UsMT/s1600/Dorsal+(11+of+13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9ENjjh5RF1EF8K4GYDUSszycWNsWDCToPSCsQhrpzIKXx_w7wjsod6wYtIhGR8HXSztMHW87DOE1JiWJvHIdiQk1SuemTBILk37kk3w4KT5wYigSzpTNz-rEeD7ontfwejeFHUg8UsMT/s320/Dorsal+(11+of+13).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Standard</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIucO5-N9BWbClwjFMms4wd2o6vWXXCN2g4nRuMaHakL6FN0nnrzN5TfDypFEIo2qVzj2HW9CpAqjQJXf6qwIU2YhzHsR6ca6CmwZmqeVMoJktgWFKGeEZTRd7Spg_xOHeArNXD5PvkwaA/s1600/Dorsal+(5+of+13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIucO5-N9BWbClwjFMms4wd2o6vWXXCN2g4nRuMaHakL6FN0nnrzN5TfDypFEIo2qVzj2HW9CpAqjQJXf6qwIU2YhzHsR6ca6CmwZmqeVMoJktgWFKGeEZTRd7Spg_xOHeArNXD5PvkwaA/s320/Dorsal+(5+of+13).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whilst eating we photo'd two teams on climbs on Central Buttress, not sure of the routes but they looked steep from where we were.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When it was our turn we headed up to the well-photographed arete pitch (ironically, I don't have any photographs of this as my camera went flat!). Having seconded the route before but going around the pinnacles, I was keen to lead it going straight over the top. Over the top I did. Although, in the spirit of never learning my lesson, I started from way below the arete and placed some ridiculously short runners resulting in mega rope drag. Pulling up onto the broad part of the ridge I must of looked like one of those guys on 'World's Strongest Man' pulling the concrete lorry! Plenty of people up top taking embarrassing photographs too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A succession of bums slides later found us back at our stash down the bottom ready to walk out, only needing head torches for the last couple of hundred metres. I like when you can halve your approach time on the descent! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-49711214918037617972012-01-23T12:21:00.000-08:002012-01-23T13:08:06.973-08:00ML Training<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After much deliberation about whether to start down the MLTA route, I booked my ML Training for November. Having progressed through the ranks to PADI Divemaster at university and then not have been diving for nearly two years I was afraid it might be just going through the motions of getting another qualification. However, due to the consolidation time needed between courses I decided if I started now, then maybe in four or five years time I might be at the stage of progressing to MIA or further (yea right). I just didn't want to get to 30 and wish I'd done it earlier! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I booked with Mountain Sense in the Lake District as i've spent least time in that area of the country. Having gone climbing in Clova on the Saturday with the course starting at 10am on the Sunday I ended driving down late that night and 'sleeping' in the car. Fortunately an early arrival at the youth hostel gave me plenty of time to shower and eat breakfast before we begun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chris and Chris were to be our instructors for the week. We started off with some navigation exercises and went up to some rough terrain to nav between ring contours. As someone who has previously been all too quick to pull out the compass, even in fine weather, the revelation of primarily using the shape of the ground to navigate was something i'd never been taught before. It was amazing how effective it can be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day was ropework. I knew i'd feel comfortable with this, but had heard that climbers can often over think the ropework required for ML and was cautious not to rush in and start making 3 point belays with slings. I never believe that I have learnt everything and ropework day was testament to that as I learnt the Thompson Knot which is the most bizarre and uncomfortable way of making a harness that anyone has ever devised. Mixed in with the ropework (and was a recurring theme throughout the week) was negotiating steep ground. The remit of the ML precludes the planned use of the rope, however short rocky steps can be overcome with the correct choice of route and group management.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abseil options were equally as painful as 'Thompson's Crusher Knot', but we had some cracking views!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK03Xfo7C92iBE9pQLRbRippupzKNJtIsfiIO4TR1TzfAMAqCQzIPsCuVP9kKZlMpTtrCnZflIcAzFXH2H3gBNprzu2J7C1zpJ3pCn-lrZKYQaSgzZ1C0viR0hE1yK3qZ1GBmQtlhdY_8/s1600/ML+Training+%252836+of+37%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK03Xfo7C92iBE9pQLRbRippupzKNJtIsfiIO4TR1TzfAMAqCQzIPsCuVP9kKZlMpTtrCnZflIcAzFXH2H3gBNprzu2J7C1zpJ3pCn-lrZKYQaSgzZ1C0viR0hE1yK3qZ1GBmQtlhdY_8/s320/ML+Training+%252836+of+37%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchhqy0q8tKWjP41jl1x8lfKNU3xCaCVi2TIMFk_4kNpA2sSz9z0dk9bY7vhaIPmhwDgJQRU31-opSWn4IVSU7eUSwTYLJopJqOpecV25eCnEnaQlLuH0u2GzjadfRJYK9IaO6OYH80xXe/s1600/ML+Training+%252837+of+37%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchhqy0q8tKWjP41jl1x8lfKNU3xCaCVi2TIMFk_4kNpA2sSz9z0dk9bY7vhaIPmhwDgJQRU31-opSWn4IVSU7eUSwTYLJopJqOpecV25eCnEnaQlLuH0u2GzjadfRJYK9IaO6OYH80xXe/s320/ML+Training+%252837+of+37%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsqs1vghGPJc8Nj_XKSI_gYDZhQsGQAgl8_jxumbA0GwNKwUuXFk51-LDYEOw8fnXzflUG7mCRxh-L9IUFkl9oV1xc_NqoxX_S-ffhY6K2aBQUeFmsuteNwwGg3avR8jGMN1Ne9R0J0aw/s1600/ML+Training+%252822+of+37%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsqs1vghGPJc8Nj_XKSI_gYDZhQsGQAgl8_jxumbA0GwNKwUuXFk51-LDYEOw8fnXzflUG7mCRxh-L9IUFkl9oV1xc_NqoxX_S-ffhY6K2aBQUeFmsuteNwwGg3avR8jGMN1Ne9R0J0aw/s320/ML+Training+%252822+of+37%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bit we'd all been waiting for (or dreading) was the overnight exped. Now before coming I thought i'd been super clever, but oh how I was wrong. I'd borrowed a friends lightweight one-man MSR Hubba thinking 'light and fast' (or light and mediocre pace when you're unfit!). I'd ditched the bivi, packed the lightweight down bag, and skimped on the creature comforts which got personal and group kit plus rope into my Crux 47 litre pack.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The initial steep trek up behind Honister mine in the clag set the scene for the two days. As is typical for any activity, the weather knows when you are most vunerable. Not below the contrast between day one of the overnight and the previous day doing group management:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t-shirt weather</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">None the less, we cracked on taking navigational legs heading for Chris and Chris's secret wild camp spot. Battling the wind was quite something and rucksack covers were all over the place. But nothing as bad as what was to come. A slight respite in the weather saw us around the lake and to the secret spot just as it started raining again. For some strange reason Steve had carried the inner, flysheet and poles of his tent but given the pegs to someone else in the other group. So with his tent erected and standing there holding it, I said "put your bag in there, it won't fly away". 30 seconds later I look around to see Chris sprinting up the hill after Steve's tent. Whoops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Karma eventually found me when the constantly flattening by the wind was too much for the Hubba and the pole snapped and tore right through the flysheet. With what was now amounting to a wet pile of torn nylon I decided to pack it up and beg to share. With another tent broken, space was becoming limited and my only option of shelter was with Beth in her single skin, one-man racer tent. Oh dear! It just got worse and worse. Dinner was inedible because pasta doesn't cook just sat in boiled water. Getting outside to do night nav was a welcome change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What followed was the worst night i've ever endured. What I was lying on was, in this order; groundsheet; puddle; thermarest; more puddle; saturated down bag; soaked fleece. Oh, and every time the wind blew (every 10 secs) I got a free shower. I spent the last 2 hours of the night sat upright huddled in a ball shivering. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To say that this sums up my feelings about the ML training would be incorrect. Admittedly I felt horrible walking back down, but I was pleased to know that I had relatively safely tested the limits of my resolve and come back with a smile on my face, ready to go again. In addition, I learnt more than I thought I would and feel better prepared to be responsible for groups in the hills. A course worthwhile doing just for that if nothing else! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-42088827266907370862012-01-22T15:35:00.000-08:002012-01-22T15:39:20.467-08:00A mixed bag indeed<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apologies for the random order of previous posts. I'm all caught up with recent events and will try to keep up to date from here on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This weekend we were back at Glenmore Lodge for an avalanche course courtesy of MCofS. A smaller bunch of people this time, I was happy to book the YHA again for another weekend trip. Driving Perth-Dundee-Aviemore-Dundee-Perth is really tiring so it is nice to be able to rest Saturday evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Windy as buggery would be my description of Saturday. A morning of avalanche theory with Roger of MCofS and Tom of Craig Meagaidh SAIS then into the ferocious winds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tom lead us straight to the only deep snow in the coire on the east wall, and deep it was. Here we practised hand block tests, assessing layers, shovel tests and rutschblock tests.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrB2-B8mtmOI4rpr7EDmG3O5zMpjFyAcjgTk93Uk2C2nLH3gnWKcYrW6VCSjFax6oCzKqsjV_2qSHpNukzyyF_jrcGVaU0roCWYHGomPkQ9bWLokjOrJ5cL57PRnE8eAepTb6T5t4KEFc/s1600/untitled+%25285+of+16%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrB2-B8mtmOI4rpr7EDmG3O5zMpjFyAcjgTk93Uk2C2nLH3gnWKcYrW6VCSjFax6oCzKqsjV_2qSHpNukzyyF_jrcGVaU0roCWYHGomPkQ9bWLokjOrJ5cL57PRnE8eAepTb6T5t4KEFc/s320/untitled+%25285+of+16%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the sense of misery in this photo</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After an hour or two getting caked in wet snow and digging about I think we were all happy to about face and head back to the car. All, that was, until I realised i'd left my goggles in the boot. Trying to walk with your eyes closed doesn't work. Another lesson learnt. Oh, and that path gets icy, as my arse knows all too well! Crags were being stripped all day and Sundays climbing plans looked dire, as was evidenced by the hoards leaving as we were walking in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A nice evening chillaxing in the hostel with more Spag Bol than should humanly be consumed, we deliberated on our options for the next day. We were convinced a drop in temperature with the moisture in the air could bring the crags into condition over night. So we opted for an early walk-in to inspect and judge from there. We also had a very nice discussion in the evening with <a href="http://hughesmountaineering.blogspot.com/2012/01/cairngorm-facials.html" target="_blank">Adam Hughes</a> who was out and about with some clients. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The early start proved a good idea! Lots of teams had a similar plan, so racing ahead we got to the foot of Mess of Pottage which looked as good as any. First port of call: get gear on! I wasn't making that mistake again. After a bit of mincing about myself and Calum initially headed for Hybrid, a IV,4 which mixes pitches of The Message and The Melting Pot. Problems finding a belay led me to backtrack towards either Haston Line or Hidden Chimney Direct. Being busy with Nik and Steve on HC Direct IV,5 I retraced to Hybrid. A call of "OWEN" made me look around to see Ruiry and James who'd also turned up for the day and went to do Hidden Chimney aswell (5 teams on the route apparently!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Desperate to get started I solo'd to a decent belay which was the crux of the day for me. Shortly after we were joined in the area by Steve and Sam from Manchester who were excellent company on the shared belays. We both climbed the first pitch of the Message before they moved of left to Mariella VI, 7</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Steve making short work of P1 the Message</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Partner in crime</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Calum was doing great seconding the route. His photography skills are a little left to be desired, but I can't complain to much :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRpr21l_k_4ps_5OW_r_dIRo77j7D47GdlKV-rg_Te61vGkKpBasIs0D-V7Xv16-F0MX3h0N8PWONNg77v9GFXAvrxwk00gay4D7uRoFryW1TRZyIqzZ5vIRTclJEagxdWSnov8sUiQZ_/s1600/untitled+%25289+of+16%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRpr21l_k_4ps_5OW_r_dIRo77j7D47GdlKV-rg_Te61vGkKpBasIs0D-V7Xv16-F0MX3h0N8PWONNg77v9GFXAvrxwk00gay4D7uRoFryW1TRZyIqzZ5vIRTclJEagxdWSnov8sUiQZ_/s320/untitled+%25289+of+16%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A date with Mariella for those boys (steeper than it looks!!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me heading left around of the Tech 6 pitch of the Message</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each pitch revealed a few nasty surprises, mostly little footholds with powder on ledges for the axes. This was nicely supported by some frozen turf and good hooks on rock were you needed them. Plenty of gear so it felt safe as houses. I offered Calum a pitch but he was right to back off as a minor fall on second spooked him a little.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nice climbing all round until below the last pitch of the Message, at Calum's request I traversed right onto "easier ground". My God, I hate traversing! Using some interested torquing manoeuvres in a waist-level horizontal crack I managed to get across without penduluming to my death (it was pretty exposed!). I managed to protect it for Calum with a slung block and a sinker bulldog (which I nearly left at home that day).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At some point along our travels, I saw Sam seconding Mariella and after a playful 'hello, hows it going' about 30 seconds later I heard a shout of "f**king take, f**king TAKE". Sounds like they were having fun :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Topping out was lovely and very well timed. We could see Steve and Nik having just finished HC Direct! Also, just before I could get the camera out the RAF yellow bird came whomping up the coire and flew straight over my head within 30 metres or so and went to pick up someone on Fiaciall a' Choire Chais. Awesome sound!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fantastic day out in decent conditions, especially considering the prognosis on Saturday. Really fun route with just enough spice and was testing to lead all four pitches, all with technical climbing. Interesting, UKC gives this IV,5 and i'd be inclined to agree, especially under the powder seen today. Either way, well done Calum for seconding at a pretty decent rate. Shame about the frozen screwgate, eh? ;)</span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-27904719116307694022012-01-22T14:40:00.000-08:002012-01-23T12:20:57.154-08:00Alpine Scotland: a photo essay<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Myself and Stephi have been meaning to climb together for a while. A high pressure system on the horizon and some big plans led to a weekends fun in the Northern Corries. Through the Dundee Rucksack Club, a large group of us were doing an MCofS winter climbers workshop. I had the stirling idea of booking a YHA for the night so we could have two days in Aviemore and it would be grand. It was grand in the end, but organising certainly isn't my fortay!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A 5.30am start from Perth should see us into the Loch Avon basin pretty early right? Well, yes it would if we hadn't chatted too much and gone 25 miles north of Aviemore before realising. With the early start wasted we raced up Fiaciall a' Choire Chais in perfect sunshine. I decided to take my SLR with me on this day and was so glad I did. I feel the quality of photos is so much better over my compact. So, apologies in advance if this is a little 'photo heavy'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> We were treated to an inversion on the way up. The shadow of the plateau cast over the clouds was awe inspiring. It was tempting to strip down to baselayer only it was so warm...this was not a great sign.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1LzOAyLwTkcVDWLddDXJ4cn1VupuAnRvxnNc4cJNwhAz9Lw6KnaVL7Tb5UxN1d9ZK8KdNbYNICkbjsWUDwzr2BdCukEYMK2PcgipipvIlTK388SkMjfgNS8e5g8OHxheLAXHJFviDcF9/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%25285+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1LzOAyLwTkcVDWLddDXJ4cn1VupuAnRvxnNc4cJNwhAz9Lw6KnaVL7Tb5UxN1d9ZK8KdNbYNICkbjsWUDwzr2BdCukEYMK2PcgipipvIlTK388SkMjfgNS8e5g8OHxheLAXHJFviDcF9/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%25285+of+44%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx-qOUySp9h63-W1WXeTAgPguwHgfIHGGisszu4lK71Zm8_WLo4L8HTH486AJ2v5eC4Kk5Wd1k7er3dGLX1O08SVK78uTlcVpHAoHdHQ5EXBTu0Mj6-b4-1azmjCZ-fiM8o3v8FZ0ahkb/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%25282+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx-qOUySp9h63-W1WXeTAgPguwHgfIHGGisszu4lK71Zm8_WLo4L8HTH486AJ2v5eC4Kk5Wd1k7er3dGLX1O08SVK78uTlcVpHAoHdHQ5EXBTu0Mj6-b4-1azmjCZ-fiM8o3v8FZ0ahkb/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%25282+of+44%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making good time we were optimistic about the route planned for the day. Deep Cut Chimney IV,4 looked from recent blogs as a potentially 'in' mixed route on the only crag retaining much winterness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everything went wrong, starting with decision to reach the base of the route with just ski poles and crampons - no harness on yet (?!). The apron just got steeper and without realising we found ourselves on ground we didn't really fancy gearing up on. Cue Stephi guiding my legs loops over my crampon spikes on a pretty small ledge with no belay options. Lesson learnt - gear up early!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y4pr5hT_5i0y0WBOnGL3Z8qWUM0ttDibdZnje7wo3H8gj2JLQ3mbmfY7UsjhoF0rbagdq1E9Yu84P8tei6eHOpxnR6TFBgd7JqKgifm0DHAh9SAw7sYkUS3FGDiR16NR35bAfCtVyNUS/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252832+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y4pr5hT_5i0y0WBOnGL3Z8qWUM0ttDibdZnje7wo3H8gj2JLQ3mbmfY7UsjhoF0rbagdq1E9Yu84P8tei6eHOpxnR6TFBgd7JqKgifm0DHAh9SAw7sYkUS3FGDiR16NR35bAfCtVyNUS/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252832+of+44%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY9sR1wnWbp5kXNK8bCeM5rJ3yMdEsFNmnLD26aQUQNtz2hDvqZYIgrmjRkX5kMGoyEjBAkfaZzFzEYA-HD3Xo8zsyd7WXFvsnXak8oQ7QleGJPeGdUMk0yGeRlYzsxr9MRi9028pxI1e/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252826+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY9sR1wnWbp5kXNK8bCeM5rJ3yMdEsFNmnLD26aQUQNtz2hDvqZYIgrmjRkX5kMGoyEjBAkfaZzFzEYA-HD3Xo8zsyd7WXFvsnXak8oQ7QleGJPeGdUMk0yGeRlYzsxr9MRi9028pxI1e/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252826+of+44%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeSvFiDqx3bPMZwlF_pPA-drn1feXSalPYL7hc8C6iLO6uoGXXc09k5FyeqTzevsoTDcRs1khdFLcJ8Yu1353tMOCoe67JgPJQrcA4CL4eb0zqcK5wuGPLxiAaD0oFQJk9JVEmbxFlyee/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252831+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeSvFiDqx3bPMZwlF_pPA-drn1feXSalPYL7hc8C6iLO6uoGXXc09k5FyeqTzevsoTDcRs1khdFLcJ8Yu1353tMOCoe67JgPJQrcA4CL4eb0zqcK5wuGPLxiAaD0oFQJk9JVEmbxFlyee/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252831+of+44%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least I know my gear is good!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did the first pitch which was a little unconsolidated but otherwise okay, then Stephi did the next which from the noises she was either enjoying or getting gripped! I wasn't too sure until I reached her. After quite a long time I seconded up to find a 7 point spiders web, I mean belay. "I wanted it to be good" she said. Well, it was bomber no doubt about that!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BVIptS8Vh9FspUtYzZQctSjf7v125rklWA3hCpWWWkWXelN7V5mT99kwokSpLaLrG0wGGXpCiva-pF0_e0wn9IvZDnqLkM1atHpJMxyFCcsIKrgiohWQ5Uvb04eqEjw_AbKTYgUl2EYS/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252835+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BVIptS8Vh9FspUtYzZQctSjf7v125rklWA3hCpWWWkWXelN7V5mT99kwokSpLaLrG0wGGXpCiva-pF0_e0wn9IvZDnqLkM1atHpJMxyFCcsIKrgiohWQ5Uvb04eqEjw_AbKTYgUl2EYS/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252835+of+44%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNydM5D0JRIuxFcpzW9XSKyumajMI5csSokfumPgvd1lL7t15fsVtHZ4wWMzRO0JLVvGbyWoDJ19p_Rqq5JxINAsdxczl9nkUAiwwgAeH1kOP6CxRhHF66rvWAZ3NcIg_OXWNzCTFElNF7/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252838+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNydM5D0JRIuxFcpzW9XSKyumajMI5csSokfumPgvd1lL7t15fsVtHZ4wWMzRO0JLVvGbyWoDJ19p_Rqq5JxINAsdxczl9nkUAiwwgAeH1kOP6CxRhHF66rvWAZ3NcIg_OXWNzCTFElNF7/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252838+of+44%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1d2EAE21N4vYcrAPVLLLqRypCaH_JnTTyGLGvBh0uKd-Th8Fn562z8sPpKfF75oZ7TyiVtqr2nSVwj6efkt421Elh1bca7fhpM7tGgKn8YWA-kjijpUVv_OR3Cu3lNbHYNGKDMoWSop-/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252837+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1d2EAE21N4vYcrAPVLLLqRypCaH_JnTTyGLGvBh0uKd-Th8Fn562z8sPpKfF75oZ7TyiVtqr2nSVwj6efkt421Elh1bca7fhpM7tGgKn8YWA-kjijpUVv_OR3Cu3lNbHYNGKDMoWSop-/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252837+of+44%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perfect place to spend time standing around.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczcTgL6PCuMv3ULJ3CNzNegGkDxs1YBdC38mX7Nsd4kbaU6mx6iwMlRKjw9jhrXIrwdlH-RDHifs5cAvBoRtd-88JACSCgpWnvNSvcpDNMlDvKIu-lkK8iCRlD2s1cQiJnWpCs6jSvN8w/s1600/Hells+Lum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczcTgL6PCuMv3ULJ3CNzNegGkDxs1YBdC38mX7Nsd4kbaU6mx6iwMlRKjw9jhrXIrwdlH-RDHifs5cAvBoRtd-88JACSCgpWnvNSvcpDNMlDvKIu-lkK8iCRlD2s1cQiJnWpCs6jSvN8w/s320/Hells+Lum.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Generally being a little disappointed with the condition of the route we made a decision at the next belay. I inspected a little further up, but not far enough that I couldn't reverse the moves, however it just looked like a summer route further up. We were having such a lovely day in the sunshine, we didn't see the need to scratch up the bare rock that appeared to be ahead of us. Plus we were a little behind time. So, we did some sketchy abseils back down to the basin and started walking out. (Note to self: don't be afraid to leave more gear!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVwhCblqf8MVMOz6MFKD_USncdT3XGtmCuVtgusrw-i_VYpZz2zE8wy5kIwpDM6rdx4SljrNpmRWUxnEkZ43htwFg0hrnLdUMDM_WBU6VcfMIln9UR35ihL1gDABPiiR_RG0c9efxZ_4y/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252840+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVwhCblqf8MVMOz6MFKD_USncdT3XGtmCuVtgusrw-i_VYpZz2zE8wy5kIwpDM6rdx4SljrNpmRWUxnEkZ43htwFg0hrnLdUMDM_WBU6VcfMIln9UR35ihL1gDABPiiR_RG0c9efxZ_4y/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252840+of+44%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEZF3i6vK6daIEEA5-tNAZ7O9N2X_hatS0obr6bH-0suYhpdyOmxEW_s1R81JzRar-ZPppArOjcM6FVFLTTJUkObaMsv1XxsHc86V8WQ6abf7_10AeaiHGRsJ-BynpY6HaEZbQU54tSxR/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252839+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEZF3i6vK6daIEEA5-tNAZ7O9N2X_hatS0obr6bH-0suYhpdyOmxEW_s1R81JzRar-ZPppArOjcM6FVFLTTJUkObaMsv1XxsHc86V8WQ6abf7_10AeaiHGRsJ-BynpY6HaEZbQU54tSxR/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252839+of+44%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjhVz-eYwbXDqC5nt_eOlzmeWBsI6yzDeK55by8b00yFRK-JtSIPcA3KOCsikBoQj6FUvsX0lmElw06zVwBIWIki51-Z6IYJfnRI1Sm8gfZXZzaYyYBovBe-Cr6tJQC7TOGdyEl1xB4Vv/s1600/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252842+of+44%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjhVz-eYwbXDqC5nt_eOlzmeWBsI6yzDeK55by8b00yFRK-JtSIPcA3KOCsikBoQj6FUvsX0lmElw06zVwBIWIki51-Z6IYJfnRI1Sm8gfZXZzaYyYBovBe-Cr6tJQC7TOGdyEl1xB4Vv/s320/Deep+Cut+Chimney+%252842+of+44%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perfect end to the day</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following day we had an excellent winter climbers workshop with Kevin and Carl. We went right through all the prior research if you like; conditions; weather; avalanche hazard. We then went up into coire an t-sneachda to talk about where to gear up (a day too late!!) and practised making snow bollards and buried axe belays, amongst other little tidbits from the instructors. Overall a really helpful day.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Climbing Ninja strikes again</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Xa__KoixvIPJopLQ5zu2TtNZXMFseW2YPkLJf7kTCOFQ_-1U1W2edOz5wjKt8q537REl-SLyFkr6Jxbr6v8T0pBxhA0hYoqN9yw6WjRK7QZO27vNLdE4gog6bzlKl6pkpokNaVo7erj/s1600/WinterWorkshop+%25283+of+23%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Xa__KoixvIPJopLQ5zu2TtNZXMFseW2YPkLJf7kTCOFQ_-1U1W2edOz5wjKt8q537REl-SLyFkr6Jxbr6v8T0pBxhA0hYoqN9yw6WjRK7QZO27vNLdE4gog6bzlKl6pkpokNaVo7erj/s320/WinterWorkshop+%25283+of+23%2529.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is how you sit....</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: this was a pre-dug anchor and Kevin requested me to say this was not his, as it was 'piss poor'....or words to that effect.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The penguin brigade</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-64961617630635950212012-01-22T13:46:00.000-08:002012-01-23T12:21:03.027-08:00Fiacaill Couloir & HC2 - The return<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two days later and I can't sit still. Having had to use up 7 days of spare holiday at the start of Jan, I was keen to get out and desperate not to spend it watching TV.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time with Calum (with Nik and Steve in the car too) another early start over to Dundee to collect the guys then back to the 'fat man's corrie'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little windier than two days previous, myself and Calum headed for Fiacaill Couloir in hope of finding some shelter.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16MbLL13UgnyXQPMRovbQ6X3miBZX7yeEYmIb-nTGr3vzNwKepkWX8HVzj6_P615rH_JE0MbzXAlRdMS1w7OVaLf1uxmC-02Ds5n2odnCB_3paXeh0QPxFHivIT4d8_1PA994hUc99haA/s1600/FC+%2526+HC2+%25282+of+25%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16MbLL13UgnyXQPMRovbQ6X3miBZX7yeEYmIb-nTGr3vzNwKepkWX8HVzj6_P615rH_JE0MbzXAlRdMS1w7OVaLf1uxmC-02Ds5n2odnCB_3paXeh0QPxFHivIT4d8_1PA994hUc99haA/s320/FC+%2526+HC2+%25282+of+25%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shelter twas not to be found and after one pitch of not-quite-consolidated snow and questionable turf I made belay and brought Calum up. During the pitch my goggles had fallen off and frozen up, so my eyes were bleeding from the spindrift that was coming from all directions. Fed up already we descended and headed over to Mess of Pottage.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">False smiles</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having done Hidden Chimney two days previous with James i'd found the initial pitch a little disappointing. Also, James wasn't sure of the length and had belayed about 4m short of the top of the route. So, I was keen to go back to lead the chimney pitch and show Calum what an enjoyable (if short) route it was.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Folks in Jacobs Ladder</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZSA2UxWMoSBZBy7DhdiTPkSrXHkdXfPqpPlTBju0xJX9s3tJAw7fcupu_8Q74mWcykan9Z7l_lYaC4mqJUXnzos_T7_dRKRYVDyXIRn1yiT_ghOZENZInLG7Yf_X3RQLgkupd3Tuxe6B/s1600/FC+%2526+HC2+%252813+of+25%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZSA2UxWMoSBZBy7DhdiTPkSrXHkdXfPqpPlTBju0xJX9s3tJAw7fcupu_8Q74mWcykan9Z7l_lYaC4mqJUXnzos_T7_dRKRYVDyXIRn1yiT_ghOZENZInLG7Yf_X3RQLgkupd3Tuxe6B/s320/FC+%2526+HC2+%252813+of+25%2529.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The team in front taking a variation</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WeQcGo1kkJpDIo9aZjGIdZ5nv0vNaSKgOCtuEcXqemByE5QyOHA_qFVtq5tUum5lkRbm1w8xEZ2bp0Kj9kGxLh3CSzypPYoUTX5E_L5pR7rJCyUzS63bBZluoUoPINQb4jVaqH90ULqj/s1600/FC+%2526+HC2+%252822+of+25%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WeQcGo1kkJpDIo9aZjGIdZ5nv0vNaSKgOCtuEcXqemByE5QyOHA_qFVtq5tUum5lkRbm1w8xEZ2bp0Kj9kGxLh3CSzypPYoUTX5E_L5pR7rJCyUzS63bBZluoUoPINQb4jVaqH90ULqj/s320/FC+%2526+HC2+%252822+of+25%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A fine team!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-89463265038638982762012-01-20T12:43:00.001-08:002012-01-23T12:21:11.744-08:00Hidden Chimney<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just back to Scotland from Holiday with the parents and its 'where to now?' Sneachda as standard being the easiest drive and shortest walk-in after too many 'festive indulgences'!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll keep it brief, but myself and James had brilliant first climbing day of 2012 doing Hidden Chimney on Mess of Pottage in enjoyable conditions.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NwpKXLCuJrWvFvONuknhdrqukFaT5cnbUSpc8MH2VqvE4hOF8WkGkiPRo3edpnlfiKQVMH3wbwSjUFqViOSLWzAVQzyA0xQX3-VenExcOxvY09qGYawN0KQIDTumMBBH0RXJTPVXKsJQ/s1600/HiddenChimney+%25282+of+19%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NwpKXLCuJrWvFvONuknhdrqukFaT5cnbUSpc8MH2VqvE4hOF8WkGkiPRo3edpnlfiKQVMH3wbwSjUFqViOSLWzAVQzyA0xQX3-VenExcOxvY09qGYawN0KQIDTumMBBH0RXJTPVXKsJQ/s320/HiddenChimney+%25282+of+19%2529.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay frosty!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3PXQO-CifYoYME8WrCMbbmUAiWe-CU63RFg3q2Yu7b2qigXbPEXfVRT0IR6b0Jca-c4m1nwr1LZ0rwozPFnO21lrobCRdiAHmx1702v3Tqelic9x71xMqoK0r3ELb_EYzqtQdrQ6re5-/s1600/HiddenChimney+%25286+of+19%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3PXQO-CifYoYME8WrCMbbmUAiWe-CU63RFg3q2Yu7b2qigXbPEXfVRT0IR6b0Jca-c4m1nwr1LZ0rwozPFnO21lrobCRdiAHmx1702v3Tqelic9x71xMqoK0r3ELb_EYzqtQdrQ6re5-/s320/HiddenChimney+%25286+of+19%2529.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The team ahead</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">James steaming up the chimney pitch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5011730946748193787.post-15333591454904973522012-01-20T12:43:00.000-08:002012-01-23T12:21:17.919-08:00A long slog for a change<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting bored of the monotony of the Ski Centre car park and the same familiar coire, I went for Day 3 in 5 continuing my on-off-on routine. This time myself, Nik and Steve headed towards Glencoe with the promise of fine weather in the west. Upon arrival it was clear the only thing to retain any sign of winter was Stob Coire nan Lochan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we began the steep trek upwards in what felt like t-shirt weather. On route we visited my 'accident spot' from last season where I had a bath in the burn. (I have regular nightmares)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjjDzgAB3ayck2xTp6GZgbXO4A9yI4yVShUE-UqPT1TL5UmegNldI3rAWHqjVFBSUjbCuxC52hvqwE14VZIHccaNQrKitmsRJfqiIfODPQm_ien7PviRrHQNr187zHz4mV0F8taLnuLVT/s1600/Twisting+Gully+%25281+of+39%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjjDzgAB3ayck2xTp6GZgbXO4A9yI4yVShUE-UqPT1TL5UmegNldI3rAWHqjVFBSUjbCuxC52hvqwE14VZIHccaNQrKitmsRJfqiIfODPQm_ien7PviRrHQNr187zHz4mV0F8taLnuLVT/s320/Twisting+Gully+%25281+of+39%2529.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January??</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We made reasonable time, 1hr30 to the basin, only to find black buttresses (not surprised in the slightest), so we did what most were doing an aiming for a gully. Concerned about the consistency of the ice ramp on SC Gully, we went for Twisting Gully III,4. As a 3 star route, how could it be bad?!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VuUzFqJxXykemJm-nhV19-J6bBR0stXe1uPgaZORuxfuPyZpksQ10aY-RLABpIL9SmMEBXi-lLqK5lb_dqQuoBsDy2shUq-pr4IAa0ognnJN3Khj5aKlE-wNHwKRLhxTV7cmkSegCTvV/s1600/Twisting+Gully+%252810+of+39%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VuUzFqJxXykemJm-nhV19-J6bBR0stXe1uPgaZORuxfuPyZpksQ10aY-RLABpIL9SmMEBXi-lLqK5lb_dqQuoBsDy2shUq-pr4IAa0ognnJN3Khj5aKlE-wNHwKRLhxTV7cmkSegCTvV/s320/Twisting+Gully+%252810+of+39%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much blackness....</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Well, we should have known better. Snow was unconsolidated, what ice there was had water running down the back of it. Not particularly nice but I don't think we trashed the place getting up it. Would very much like to go back. Nik took the reigns for the crux....and damn pleased I was too!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZGBJIugAh6KhP0OIFtYexghHqoUWwEj1hCd6RWI5-Wwq-fj2daCEm6OkCR_jqxRppzxSUUZHvFnrwCz3ajmVrMX25RTDSoHyKmIRd_eSc7pS9-9ixDGv1_fRnfnIDTNacwU5a8DyiXVT/s1600/Twisting+Gully+%252822+of+39%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZGBJIugAh6KhP0OIFtYexghHqoUWwEj1hCd6RWI5-Wwq-fj2daCEm6OkCR_jqxRppzxSUUZHvFnrwCz3ajmVrMX25RTDSoHyKmIRd_eSc7pS9-9ixDGv1_fRnfnIDTNacwU5a8DyiXVT/s320/Twisting+Gully+%252822+of+39%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Better stop taking photos now.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seconding was interesting as everything kept ripping out. Some decent hooks saw us through it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsNhl_AZseXsGW0QEd6Xy8Gf4C7LW99k_CESXlr7-qAlKzR-YmI_K6feh65H4srMqrt5CXnoplQmQOQPJpRsTj4t-n1WlMXOIL00jCzzpvVAFIZMd274pigaVred6oq6A-V_76PVAcglI/s1600/Twisting+Gully+%252828+of+39%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsNhl_AZseXsGW0QEd6Xy8Gf4C7LW99k_CESXlr7-qAlKzR-YmI_K6feh65H4srMqrt5CXnoplQmQOQPJpRsTj4t-n1WlMXOIL00jCzzpvVAFIZMd274pigaVred6oq6A-V_76PVAcglI/s320/Twisting+Gully+%252828+of+39%2529.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too close for comfort</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Various faffing and generally slow progress saw us topping out a dusk. Not too much of an issue. Items lost to the the crag at this point numbered two: my mitten and Nik's camera. On the way down, Nik looked back into the coire and said, "I might go have a look". I said that I didn't have enough petrol money to come back and get him in three days time, so we headed down. 45mins to the car...not bad for knees three times my age!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlPdi4A0k5jIA5a_BEdi_UaA9nRriDOnD4q4dmQ4A4zyHD4kfGdBm-XeHr1AYc5eVSwii2tFV-KUaWoVEK6SBQlh5bfyjIcEGZbBXVUiC1zQM42AgOss5dhmMjHuOb6yQoJsGO_s-4-Qe/s1600/Twisting+Gully+%252838+of+39%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlPdi4A0k5jIA5a_BEdi_UaA9nRriDOnD4q4dmQ4A4zyHD4kfGdBm-XeHr1AYc5eVSwii2tFV-KUaWoVEK6SBQlh5bfyjIcEGZbBXVUiC1zQM42AgOss5dhmMjHuOb6yQoJsGO_s-4-Qe/s320/Twisting+Gully+%252838+of+39%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Climbing Ninja looking for his camera</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Owen Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04578175352526099368noreply@blogger.com0