These are posted as and when I have the time or information. Climbers are welcome to let me know what they find anywhere in Scotland, and I will try and post this information also. Links to other relevant sites are at the top and foot of this page. Important links as follows:

Misty and Cold

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Very dull day up in the clouds. We climbed January Jigsaw in Glen Coe. It was reasonably dry with the occasional slick piece of rock, caused by the low cloud. Pretty cold on the fingers too. Two other teams out on Agag's Groove.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 5:06 PM 1 comments
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More good weather this weekend - Cold

Friday, September 28, 2007

Alan,
Thank you for your response to my query. This is very much appreciated.

I believe the Nevis Partnership are now in charge of maintaining essential waymarks on the plateau of Ben Nevis. Although the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and John Muir Trust were against the idea, common sense prevailed and in the face of support from the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and the majority of ordinary hill walkers canvassed it was agreed to maintain these essential waymarks. I spend a good amount of time on the plateau area and can tell you that to date no work has started to maintain the essential waymarks and in the recent winter they have been obliterated by snow to the point where they are not visible.

I share your sentiments regarding the necessity to have waymarking cairns....Ben Nevis is a very special case and I am glad that common sense has prevailed, unlike a few other spots were the building of cairns by sundry hill walkers (Ben Hope comes to mind) is pointless and obtrusive.

Thank you for that and I have now received a reply from Nevis Partnership saying that cairns will be built over this and next years summer (2007-2008). They are finding out about the abseil posts position,
Again, my thanks,
Robin

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 3:45 PM 0 comments
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Crystal Clear - Cold and Dry

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Hi Alan,

Saw this just come out - so maybe an earlier season this year...here's hoping - I just bought two new tools identical to the one I had hired from you earlier this year and can't wait to get out there....Check out long-range forecast

Ken

Already some sprinkling of snow on northern hills and a good frost at night. Nothing very much, but a good start to the autumn.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 4:25 PM 0 comments
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Talisker Malt - Elgol - Scavaig

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Working for the Moretti Agency on location from Elgol, filming for a Japanese promotion of Talisker Malt Whisky. This was the week 10/14th September and the Skye weather proved very 'testing' as usual, with everything from gales to changeable autumn weather and still midge infested days on the shores of Loch Scavaig. Thanks to Duncan, David and Donald from the Bella Jane for ferrying our monumental piles of kit back and forward in their fast boat ('Rib')

The team, with Tamotsu Fujii, the photographer kneeling at bottom right. The very fine Cup Noodles we were introduced to make excellent camp food in only three minutes after adding boiling water. Recommended.
Essential ingredients for surviving a camp on the Scavaig coastline.
The patient vigil for the perfect image of the Black Cuillin.
We spent many frustrating hours watching for the light to change and offer up some stunning and very moody shots. The photos did not necessarily need to be of the usual picture postcard type. They needed to convey the rugged, remote and wild nature of the area where sea and mountain meet.

Above, Gars-bheinn is bathed in sunshine, whilst Sgurr na Stri broods in the shadows to the right.

The 'Mad Burn' tumbling out of An Garbh-choire into Loch Scavaig
Sgurr na Stri

Blaven on the road south of Broadford across Loch Cill Chriosd. A favourite viewpoint for photography.

Blaven across Loch Slapin

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 8:52 PM 0 comments
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A Stunning Day

Sunday, September 2, 2007

The final two days of the Alpine Intro course were worth waiting for. We traversed the Weissmies from the Almageller Hut in superb weather and snow conditions, last Thursday and Friday.
Adam & Dom and David & Maria just below the summit of the Weissmies, putting into practice all they had learned on the course.
Dom & Adam in the maze of crevasses below the N.W. Face of the Weissmies

On the rocky section of the Weissmies S.S.E Ridge, two hours above the hut. Monte Rosa group in the far background.
A good hut has just been improved, with more sleeping and eating facilities, plus a well landscaped patio outside the Almageller Hut. The rocky ridge behind is the Dri Hornli. This is one of the best routes of its grade (Severe) in this area of the Swiss Alps.
Zoe on the rope bridge approach from Furgstalden. This route saves a lot of ascent and is very entertaining. Be careful as umbrellas, ice axes and ski-poles can get hooked up on the structure and fall into the gorge below.

As usual this area provides good opportunities for photographing flowers. Not bad images for a little Pentax W Optio.