West Gully, Beinn an Dothaidh - 12th December 2010

A fantastic day out in the West Highlands. We were based at the OMC club cottage for the traditional x-mas party. On the frosty Sunday morning we headed up to Beinn an Dothaidh. There had been a rapid thaw the previous two days so conditions for climbing weren't great as a lot of the snow had gone and the ice was still thawing during the day. We reckoned there would still be plenty of snow in a grade 1 gully to give a fun day out. So, we headed for West Gully on Beinn an Dothaid and weren't disappointed. Unfortunately our camera had been left overnight in the car and it's battery failed to work when we approached the climb. After some warming in my pocket and after the climb was complete it came back to life again:

Stuart on top of Beinn an Dothaidh. The view is looking north west.

Can you spot our shadows? Looking towards Beinn Achaladair.

On the descent down Coire Daingean. The snow and ice was now very frozen.

Looing up towards the buttress of Beinn an Dothaidh. West Gully is the obvious gully above and to the left of Jeanie.

A good view to the north from Coire Daingean. Ben Nevis can be seen on the left. The snow covered peaks continue along the Aonachs and the Grey Corries.

Looking back towards the Beinn an Dothaidh and some of the climbing areas. The line of Taxus is slightly to the right of the highest point of the crag. Hopefully a route we will do later in the season when there is a better build up of snow and ice.

Costa Blanca: 19th - 26th November 2010

Jeanie leading Pesahombre at Callosa, Orihuela.

Jeanie relaxing below Sector 1 at Callosa.

Lots of birds, mainly swifts, flocking around La Cueva at Callosa. There's lots of caves and pockets for the birds to nest in and later in the day they are very active.

Stuart on the 1st pitch of Puente Aereo, Marin.

Jeanie enjoying the 2nd pitch of Puente Aereo. Good moves through the overlap.

Stuart on the 1st pitch of Maika, one of the best routes at Marin.

Stuart on the 1st pitch of Jhonny, one of the classic routes of it's grade in Costa Blanca.

Jeanie leading Anda que no Andas na on Paisaje Lunar, La Panocha.

Stuart leading Placa de la sinfonia at La Panocha. It's a soft 6a+ so worth doing in order to tick a climb at this grade. Note the colours & patterns of the conglomerate rock.

The crags that comprise Salinas. It's a lovely quiet area, unfortunately the weather was cloudy and chilly but at least it was dry and there was no wind.

Jeanie onsighting No te lo pongas at Salinas. This proved to be a hard climb for a 4+, very slabby with shallow pockets.

We discovered a wee hoose high up in the woods. Don't know if it's someones holiday hideaway or hill-billies or a small finca.

Tarmachan Ridge - 14th November 2010

Jeanie heading up to Meall nan Tarmachan. A really good winters day with plenty of snow and a lot windier than forecast.

A brief glimpse of more distant hills, Ben More and Stob Binnien.

Lovely fresh snow, great fun.

Ailefroide - Summer 2010

Jeanie on 2nd pitch of Chaud Biz - the traverse was the easy part!

On a very scenic walk up to the Pre de Madame Carle from the campsite.

We continued the walk up Glacier Noir. Some fantastic scenery with the mountains of Pelvoux, Pic Sans Nom, Coup de Sabre and L'Ailefroide behind Jeanie.

Jeanie on the 3rd pitch of Remonte-Pente Directe. Lovely granite climbing.

Stuart on the final pitch of Remonte-Pente Directe. The view is looking down onto the village of Ailefroide with the campsite at the back.

Sport climbing on limestone at Les Collets just outside L'Argentiere La-Bessee. Stuart is belaying Jeanie who has taken this picture. On the left looking down is Lucy & Nigel who were on holiday with us.

We had a lovely walk up to the Col des Grangettes via Lac de L'Eychauda. Superb views all around.

Jeanie relaxing by Lac de L'Eychauda.

A day of mixed weather at Les Collets.

Cooking an evening meal at the campsite. We collected firewood from the woods around the campsite and used the fire to cook some of our meals. The temperature dropped rapidly once the sun disappeared.

In contrast our brunches were enjoyed in glorious sunshine, almost too hot!

Mayar & Driesh, Glen Doll - 6th November 2010

Corrie Fee: Well known for it's winter climbs, hopefully we'll be back again when there's more snow & ice.

Jeanie on the summit of Mayar.

Stuart on the summit of Driesh. Weather starting to close in, it was snowing on our descent.

A Tire d'Ailefroide, Ecrins - 3rd August 2010

A view of the buttress Fissure d'Ailefroide from the campsite.

A view down to Cabey leading the 1st pitch of the route A Tire d'Ailefroide

Jeanie leading the 2nd pitch. This proved to be the most difficult pitch.

Into the sun now. Looking down the 3rd pitch to Jeanie. The campsite can be seen in the background.

Stuart on the 5th pitch. It proved to be easier than it initially looked.

Looking down from the top of 4th pitch. Cabey & Nigel can be seen in the sunshine.

Looking down the 7th pitch.

A further view down the 7th pitch. Cabey can be seen climbing.

Looking down the 8th pitch and final pitch.

Almost there! Good views from the top of the 8th pitch. The campsite can be seen and also the crags on the other side of the valley.

Stuart preparing the rope for the tricky descent. Although not as bad as it looked care was required due to the loose stones and a big drop in the gully below.

Cabey belaying Stuart as progress is made. Luckily there were some bolts in the rocks on the other side of the gully. I was later to have the misfortune of dropping Jeanie's rope at the end of it all. It was a loose & steep gully so there was no attempt made on retrieving the rope.

Beinn a'Chochuill & Beinn Eunaich - 24th October 2010

Jeanie on the summit of Beinn a'Chochuill with Cruachan behind,

Jeanie on the summit of Beinn a' Chochuill with Beinn Eunich behind.

Jeanie on the cairn of Beinn Eunaich looking to the west and Beinn a'Chochuill.

View to Beinn a' Chochuill and Cruachan.