End of Summer catch up...

As a fresh dusting of snow covers Ben Nevis down to 900m today, it feels like winter is not too far way.
The end of the summer season saw some lovely settled weather and high pressure,allowing some spectacular days and stunning autumn colours. Here are some captioned photos to show work and play over the last few weeks. Thanks to clients and colleagues for making this a fantastic end to summer 2016!

Brocken Spectre on the Ben ( pic A. Hague)

The Davidson family at the UK's highest point ( pic A. Hague)

 Dry Rock in Duntelchaig  working on an SPA training with WHC students with Al Halewood,

Richie enjoying the views and climbing at Duntelchiag

Al showing Yuka and Mika the Y-hang set-up

Top of the Ben with Tracy and Eamon

The Buachaille Raven enjoying the views to Ben Nevis

Lilly on the classic Curved Ridge

Rannoch Wall looking busy and awesome!

Lilly enjoying the atmosphere

Crowberry Tower selfie

Max and clients on Crowberry Tower

Robin getting his first taste of scrambling on Scimitar Ridge in Glen Nevis

Proud Dad and happy son!

On Tower Ridge with Dave and Dave

Icy conditions higher up on Tower Ridge!

Marjan at the Ben summit with some fresh snow (pic A. Hague)

Marjan and the CMD Arete and Ben Nevis (pic A. Hague)

Greg on the Aonach Eagach

The  'Notched Ridge'

First Year degree students at WHC on N Ridge Stob Ban

Sunny weather and happy faces!

Graham smiling through the rain on the Zig Zags on Gearr Aonach

Abseiling off on possibly my wettest ever day in the mountains

Lauren getting to grips with belay building at Kingussie Crag

Rock Climbing Foundation Course for WHC

Bomber nut!

Gary and Simon enjoying the finest walking to route to Ben Nevis, the CMD Arete (pic A. Hague)

Smiles in the sun on the Arete (pic A. Hague)

Alan and Tony on Curved Ridge

The corner shot on Curved Ridge

Back on track....

Things have been slowly but steadily improving recently with my back injury so I've been getting back out to the hills and working a (slightly!) reduced schedule. It's been great getting back to work and I've had some fantastic days out. Getting 3 sunny days up Tower Ridge in the same week was definitely a treat at the end of last month!

First Tower Ridge of the week with Les...

Second with Hannah....

And third with Stu and Kaine ( and Andy observing)

And a trip up Ledge Route with Richard and Amy

I had the privilege of working on my Carpe Diem Day for Nevis Landscape Partnership with Kate and Rob. We had originally planned on Observatory Ridge but with things looking wet, we decided on North East Buttress. This was very slippy but Kate and Rob are strong climbers and cruised it! Great to leave the mountain in a cleaner state after climbing a classic route!

The 40ft Corner- a wee bit damp!

Blue skies at the end of the day!

Our haul from the summit!

I've had a few more trips up Ledge Route and Tower Ridge this last week too...

Stunning conditions with Rebecca

A grand day out with Ben and Richie

I've also started work with this years first year degree students at West Highland College. As usual, they're a great bunch and I'm looking forward to some hill days and climbing with them over the coming few weeks.

This weekend I was working on the Salomon Glencoe Skyline Race as part of the safety team. This was an inspiring event to be a part of and I was super impressed by the amazing performances by the runners and the event organisation by Shane and his team. Great to work with fellow Mountain Instructors Iain, Max, Gillian and Jamie too.

Worth the early start for views like this!

Yesterday I was back out on Tower Ridge with Ian. Ian has had his eye on this route for a few years and it never fails to impress!

After having an MRI scan done I'm pleased to be told I won't be needing spinal surgery. However, it will mean taking it easyish over the next 2 or 3 months, which is sometimes easier said than done!