Gwilym's Adventure Blog

After our long day yesterday on An Teallach, Graham and I opted for another long day walking into Beinn Dearg to see if Penguin Gully was climbable. To be honest, it was such a warm night there was little hope but the small matter of an 9km walk in was not to stop us. On arrival near the routes in some thick clag, the temperature had still not dropped and we could hear ice falling. Whilst scoping out the bottom of the crag, a large peice of ice fell off in front of us and it was decision made. Another 9km back out saw us at the van with the kettle on. Penguin Gully may survice the thaw but today was not the day for climbing it, not for us anyway.

Today we decided to go for a mountaineering day and took on the An Teallach Traverse (about II) in the North West Highlands. It started off warm and dry but we had a few hours of mist and coldy winter on the top just to remind us where we were.

Today in order to rest from carrying heavy bags, Graham and I headed up onto the Cairngorm plateau to ski out to Ben Macdui. Obviously being a rest day we used the ski tows to get us most of the way up Cairngorm then skined the final few 100m. Then it was skins on and off a few times as we headed out and after a brief rest on Macdui summit we skied all the way back via Lurchers gully to about 1km from the car before a short walk saw us back at the ski centre. The weather again was fantastic

 Mass snowhole site Today Graham and I walked into Creag Meagaidh and climbed The Pumpkin (V 4) which was in excellent condition and yet again as the pictures show, we were spoilt with fantastic weather. Great plans afoot for tomorrow

The below photo is courtesy of Conan Harrod showing me at the top belaying Graham Back into the North Face of Ben Nevis and onto Vanishing Gully (V 5). I have been looking to do this one for some time but it has always either been busy or I have ended up doing something else instead. Well it was worth the wait and as it was Graham's first V5 I led both pitches on brilliant steep ice before abbing back down and walking out. We are leaving Ben Nevis tonight and will be climbing somewhere else tomorrow.

Today I joined up with Graham for the start of our Scottish Winter road trip. Today we headed up onto Ben Nevis after a leisurely start and climbed Comb Gully (IV 4) topping out to amazing views and sunshine.

Ok, apologies for the bad joke in the title. On the second day of forced time out due to an ankle injury, I had the joys of going for a swim and touring the shops in Fort William. "What could be better than that?" I hear you ask. Well, I did get to watch a couple of otters for while. Hopefully back out on the hill tomorrow.

So we ditched the skis today and walked into Beinn Eighe for some climbing and walking. We climbed Morrison Gully (I) but with a variation on the top at about (III)  and then headed up onto the ridge taking in Spidean Corie nan Clach before heading back down to the car in darkness, well I say darkness but the moon was so bright no torches were needed.

  Today Steve and I headed to Beinn a Chaorainn for some more Ski Touring. However it would be fair to say that access to the mountain through the forest is somewhat tricky with skis on our bags. We climbed the East Ridge (II) in ski boots and then skied down before battling the trees yet again