Unexplored routes in Arctic Norway

I've just been confirmed as a team member for Gore-Tex's Expedition to northern Norway with climbing legend Dave MacLeod.

A shortlist of candidates were chosen to attend a final selection process with Dave.

We then go on the adventure of a lifetime with Dave and Paul Diffley of Hot Aches film productions to Tromso in Norway.

The expedition should take place in August 2011 and will cover 15 days of exploring and hopefully successfully climbing a batch of new unclimbed routes in the areas surrounding Tromso and it's numerous islands and peninsulas.

Thankyou to everyone who helped get me on the team, I really do appreciate your support, Eric.

Skiing Everest

  Just added another great Snagfilms documentary to the right-hand column of this page.

I'm not a huge fan of skiing, probably because I'm not that great at it, but watching this film has inspired me to perhaps try and improve on my skills for next winter. For sure, I won't be attempting to ski from 8,000m. If I'm lucky I might manage from 800m.

So... go put the kettle on, set aside an hour and a half, put your feet up and indulge in this, an alternative method of descending the summits.  >>>

Glen Etive wild camping - 28th April 2011

Following Bracken's double Munro debut on Buachaille Etive Beag we thought it would be kinder for her weary paws to take a relaxing rest day down in Glen Etive. After our stay the previous night at the Kingshouse camping ground, we decided to venture down the Glen in search of somewhere more secluded by the River Etive to wild pitch.

Dotted along the single track road on the left as you drive down, there are some good places to set up camp. It's usually best to head there early, as before long all the more level spaces get snapped up. We took a drive down to the Loch and then back to find the most appropriate pitch for the dogs. Finding a spot where the river was nice and deep for them to enjoy a good swim was our priority, and we luckily managed to locate a small green area of ground just above one of the rivers many waterfalls.

Having already bought provisions we set up camp with all that we needed and spent a wonderful chilled out day playing with Alfie and Bracken by the river and exploring the surrounding area. Later in the evening we were joined by 14 deer making their way up the glen. As the sun set and the stars once again came out, all we could hear was the constant stream of the waterfall and the occasional cries from birds settling down for the night. Bliss!

Buachaille Etive Beag, Glen Coe - 27th April 2011

Pronunciation/Translation: Buachaille Etive Beag - booakil etiv bek (small herdsman of Etive), Stob Coire Raineach - stop kora ran-ach (peak of the corrie of ferns), Stob Dubh - stop doo (black peak)

Post Easter camping and hiking got off to a belated start on Tuesday 26th. It was to be Shona's new Springer Spaniel's first camping trip and we were a little unsure how Bracken, formerly known as "Marli" but changed to curb Alfie's confusion, would get on sleeping al fresco.

As things turned out she coped with all the fresh air and fun admirably. Day one saw us ease her in gently with a semi-wild camp near Victoria Bridge by Loch Tulla. After pitching, we took a walk over the West Highland Way path to the Bridge of Orchy Hotel. After a quick pint we headed back along the same path to the Inveroran Hotel for another, my kind of walk!

A few doggy paddles around in the river for our two pooches, some food for us and it was soon time to bed down, and for a while gaze up at an amazing starry lit, night sky.

Day two, and we moved on up to the Kingshouse Hotel camping ground with the tent. After our usual hit of cappuccino from Nisa in Glen Coe village we got our kit organised and set off along the lower end of the Lairig Eilde for our traverse of Buachaille Etive Beag, the little brother of Etive Mor.

There are two Munros to complete on this stretch of mountain, Stob Coire Raineach to the northeast and the slightly higher Stob Dubh to the southwest. I previously climbed them in late summer last year and felt that they would be a good place to introduce Bracken to the delights of Munro-bagging.

A short way along the Lairig Eilde, just before the path veers down to cross the stream, another path forks left uphill towards the first steep section of this route. An abundance of carefully laid steps take you steadily up onto the bealach of Mam Buidhe. Here is a good place to stop for some intake of food and also gives some cracking views of Buachaille Etive Mor to the east.

Many hikers prefer to scale Stob Dubh first then Stob Coire Raineach, then head back down from Mam Buidhe the same way they ascended. Where I can, and if time permits, I like to climb over a mountain rather than just up and down it. I feel that you get to know the area much better this way and it makes for a more interesting walk too.

We tackled Stob Coire Raineach first then headed southwest along the ridge over the middle rise to Stob Dubh, then descended south off the second summit. Here we got to indulge in a little bit of scree surfing. After dropping considerably in altitude we picked our way around some of the tricky crags and moved westerly across the contours to lower ground on the southern side of the Lairig Eilde. We finally joined onto the main path that runs the full length of the valley and although a long walk back, it is very pleasant in the late afternoon sunshine.

The usual post-walk refueling took place at the Clachaig Inn, I just wish they'd stop serving those mushed up peas with their fish and chips, could it be the chef is a Sassenach?