The Ben, The Buachaille and the Paralympic Flame

 I was working for Abacus Mountain Guides last week with a 3 peaks group from County Durham. They decided to try and complete the 3 peaks in an actual 24 hour day which meant a midnight start! No pictures I'm afraid as visibilty was about as bad as I've seen it on the summit, less than 2m! We had to search for the summit trig point from the shelter! The lads managed a good time of 5hrs 20min and managed to reach the top of Snowdon in just over 22hrs, as well as raising a lot of money for charity.


On Wednesday I joined the group who were lighting the Paralympic flame on top of Ben Nevis. The honour of lighting the torch was deservedly given to Kev. Once the Scouts lit the flame using a flint stick and some kindling, Kev lit the torch and stood on the highest point in the UK. A fairly dreich Ben Nevis weather day of cloud and rain wasn't enough to dampen the occasion!

Kev lighting the torch

On the Summit

The Paralympic flame in the lantern, to be taken to to Edinburgh

Sunday was a great day up North Buttress on the Buachaille with Dessie and Jonny. Super weather and a great route saw us speedily make our way up to Stob Dearg. To make the most of the day we went for a 'gentle' run along the ridge to Stob na Broige before descending into the Glen.

Looking towards Crowberry Tower

Great View over Buachaille Etive Beag, The Mamores and the Ben

North Buttress

Dessie enjoying the initial tricky section

The weekend saw me taking two separate groups up Ben Nevis. The weather was kind to us on both days and everyone successfully made it to the summit- well done guys!

The RAF helicopter hovering near the Red Burn

Work,play and some good views from the office!

 Started off the month with a great day with Kev running the Ring of Steall. We managed a time of about 4.5hrs which we were pretty pleased with. A few other big hill runs on the cards so we'll see how it goes!

Kev on the Devil's Ridge

Me on the last top

Headed up Tower Ridge with Jonny on Wednesday which was an awesome day. In preparation for a one day attempt on the Cuillin Ridge we tried to get a good pace going and descended Ledge route for some extra time on rock.

Jonny about to enter Tower Gap...

Finished the week with 3 days guiding on Ben Nevis working for various companies. Friday I took Gary and Anne from North Carolina up the Tourist Track on a scorching day for Abacus Mountaineering.

Climbers on Tower gap

Saturday was a quick trip up and down the Ben with a 3 peaks group, who managed a respectable time of 5hrs 15min. We also managed to stay in the shade until the 2nd Zig Zag which certainly made things a bit more comfortable!

Yesterday I took Diane up the Ben to complete the 3 peaks. Ben Nevis was her last one to do and she seemed to save the best day til last as we had great views all day with only a bit of cloud blowing through now and again. Good effort Diane!

Four cracking days on the Ben in a week! Not a bad few days in the office!