Walking and Climbing

absolutely right Rob, and even though this was my 2nd trip I have still only touched on what's available in the Cuillins. No self-respecting walker/scrambler/climber should miss this spectactular mountain range and the OM Skye trip gives a week in which to find the best weather opportunities. As you say, it's cracking value if you look at local guiding fees. And top marks to Iain, not least for getting me across a cold and windy TD gap.

Hope everyone got to wherever they were going ok - I drove straight to London, left at 0430 arrived 1710, sustained by ginger cake and meat pies from Tebay service station.  Just in time for my daughter's birthday tea!

There are a selection of my photos here:

http://www.merchant.uk.net/cuillin_om/index.html

Probably should have done personal messages but it escapes me. I can send larger versions, up to 2000 px or so wide, if anyone needs them, but best to mail any requests to

mike.alloneword@googlemail.com

My first thoughts on the week were that it's a great advert for the art of the mountain guide!

Best wishes to all, M

Hi Folks,

sorry for the lateness of doing this but!

Pictures from the OM Skye May 2011 meet.

Monday & Tuesday Shots from our very wet Monday outing to Sgurr Dearg via Coire Lagan and returning via Coire Na Banachdich. The Eas Mor waterfall on the Allt Na Coire Na Banachdich gives you an idea of how much water was around!

The shots from Tuesday show a much better day - views out to the Outer Hebrides, three Munros in the bag and a crossing of the infamous & challenging Thearlaich Dubh Gap. This was more like it!

I had a day off on Wednesday. The appalling forecast was off-putting to say the least. Not for the other OM members however! Ray, Sophia & Rob went off up the Quirang whilst Mike braved the gales on Sgurr Na Banachdich. Brave bunch the lot of them!

Thursday & Friday Thursday saw us heading off up Sgurr Nan Gillean and Am Bastier on another better day. We had a real mountaineering day on the west ridge of Gillean doing roped climbing, scrambling & abseiling, Am Bastier only required the use of a long sling to get people up & down the bad step. Lots of people around and great views, another good day.

Friday morning made exciting ridge traversing off limits - in fact if the lighting & thunder hadn't stopped I would have vetoed topping out on any summits. However, this unusually late winter day turned into a cracker with us topping out on Bruach Na Frith. Although it was all we could do - it was just great

Thanks to the team for helping to make it a great week despite all the weather threw at us. Everyone cooked some great communal meals and the red wine flowed as well as the crack, cameraderie and laughter. Its been another great success.

Off the back of this - would anyone be interested in attending another week in September??

Regards

Iain

Hi Iain,

 If I'm properly fit by then, ie. knee better and 'hill fit', I'd be interested.

 I'll keep you informed re. progress of knee.

 I, as yet can't carry weight on it, walking up hills on pavements is sore.

 I'm at Phyiso. so hopefully I'll recover soon.

 I can manage 25k, on flatish ground, on paths where I live, but next day I am sore as feck and have to take it easy, about 10k is as much as I can manage.

 Hopefully see you soon,

 Paul.

Hi folks,

Thank you to all of you who attended the May 2011 Skye meet. Following on from this, I have now opened the September 2011 Skye meet thread 

If, any of you who joined us in May, feel inclined to add supportive and encouraging comments with regards to how you felt about the May meet as you have done either directly to me of via the blog already then I would be extremely grateful if you might be prepared to add them to the September thread.

Hope to see you on there. Thanks in anticipation

Regards

Iain