WMC Scotland 2011

With crap (by which I mean no) preparation and a little trepidation I set off for the 2011 WMC Scotland meet.  The blog post is a little late as I've had a lot going on and no internet connection at home but I'm all up and running now so here is what I can recall!

Day 1 - Ring of Steall

I decided to go out on my todd for this one.  I hadn't been out for a while so I wanted to go at my own pace and over the past 6 months I've had a lot on so time on my own to relax seemed the order of the day.  I got up and drove down Glen Nevis and parked up.  After a short walk the beautiful Steall falls came into view.

Steall Falls

I had fun crossing the wire bridge and made my way past Steall falls and up the track before it dissapeared under snow and avalanche debris.  I found it tough going to be honest and as I got up to a gully I thought I'd climb up that.  A bit stupid really as a) the snow wasn't in good condition, b) I was on my own and c) the Ring of Steall is hard enough as it is without mucking around.  All that said I was there for the snow and it was good fun, even if a little sketchy at points because it got quite steep on powdery snow :S

Wire Bridge

View up to An Gearanach

I slowed down after getting up and finally plodded up to the top of An Gearanach, by this point it got bloody cold and windy.  I really started buzzing as I got out on the ridge, it was real Scottish weather.  It is what I love about mountaineering and being alone really added to it.  Rather stupidly I'd got my phone in my map case which was around my neck and under my arm, because of the strong winds it kept smacking me in the face so I decided to stop and take it off.  I think by this point I'd made it An Garbhanach.  As I took the map case off the wind whipped my case off and over the edge of the ridge.  I looked over the edge and could see it perched on the edge of a steep drop.  

Me on the ridge

I was really annoyed but I'd only just paid £150 excess for a lost phone and I didn't want to lose it and decided if I took my time I'd be ok.  I climbed down making sure everything was bomber planted and then scampered back up to get my pole.  I fully extended it and climbed back down.  It wouldn't reach and I tried to get lower but my cramps where on a rocky slab and I was really worried.  I planted my axe really good and got my feet as good as I could and leaned down.  Fully stretched I managed to get the the map case strap around the pole and scampered back up.  I was pretty sketched out after that and running late with visibility of just a few feet I decided to turn back.  All in all a good first day though.

View on the way back down

Day 2 - Anonach Mor

After chatting with a few guys in the Chalet I agreed to try Right Twin with two guys from the club.  We got the ski lift up and then started walking around the Aonach an Nid.  It was snowing and we were breaking trail (at least the other Dan was).  I found it really hard going, it didn't help that I managed to fall into a rabbit hole and twist my knee although this didn't become noticeable until coming down.  As we got near the first chairlift we stopped to put our crampons on.

Me getting geared up

We carried on the next cable car and a combination of the snow conditions, my fitness and the other guys lack of experience was playing on my mind.  As we got up a guide was doing skills with a couple of ladies and stated he thought there was a good chance of avalanche.  We ate some food and chatted before climbing up onto the ridge overlooking the crag where Right Twin (II) is.  It was a complete white out but the cloud broke slightly for a few seconds while I had the camera in my hands.

East face of Aonach Mor

The top of the col was quite corniced but I could see a gap and decided that we'd try and get through that and on to the summit.  I decided to put my googles on which was a good idea.  We decided to eat a little food before setting off.

Me on the ridge

We walked up and it slowly steepened until we were using one axe daggering and using our hand for support.  I was having a job kicking steps because the snow was soft and as we went into the most recessed part the spindrift had gathered which made it difficult to get purchase.

Dan Box topping out

Me on the summit of Aonach Mor with Carn Mor Dearg in the distance

We walked back down following the ski routes.  By this point my knee was pretty sore from the rabbit hole earlier and I was feeling the strain of two days in the hills.  I was glad to get back to the ski centre and get down.  A nice day out though, even without the route.  Apparently the place to be was the west face, but still a good day out!

Day 3 to 5 - Tatting around

The next day I was pretty achey and decided to head to Fort William to the leisure club for a soak and relax.  It was my turn to cook so I did venison in red wine with a gorgonzola scone and roast spuds which worked out well!  

The next day the weather was aweful so I headed to the Ice Factor.  Nobody was up for climbing on the indoor ice so I did some bouldering.  I don't know why, maybe confidence but I didn't fancy doing the routes.  After a couple of hours I was pumped!

The day after I stayed in and feeling crappy from lack of fitness decided to go for a run behind the chalets.  I did 5 miles with just under 1100ft of ascent.  Not too bad!

Day 6 - Stob Coire Raineach (Buachaille Etive Beag)

On the final day I wanted to bag another Munro and decided to get an easy one under my belt.  Although I had the option to do Stob Dubh too if I felt like it.  Me and Dan Box set off and again my legs felt like lead, even though I had a tiny sack on (with no crampons in it).   As we made it up the weather turned grim and we got blasted with hailstones.  I was wishing I'd made some room for them in my sack!  By the time we got back to the col between Raineach and Stob Dubh I was soaked and cold and given the strength of the wind wussed out going over the ridge to Stob Dubh.  

Me on the summit of Stob Coire Raineach getting blasted by hailstones

We ended up back at Ice Factor for a coffee before going home to get changed.  I've left out most of the social stuff and there was plenty all week but we ended up in the Clachaig Inn for tea.  I had a venison burger and loads of beer which was then swilled down with Whisky at the pub near the chalets.  I didn't get to bed until at least 2:30am and I was pretty rough for the drive home!

All in all a good week but more for relaxing and refocusing as I was dissapointed with my fitness.  I really need to get on this!