Crystal Clear


 Leaning pines like giants matchsticks. 
Rolling plains of shining tundra. 
A fleeting glimpse of rosy pink beyond the hill.
 Light, white and blue.  
Warm rock, cold hands. 
Cheese and oatcakes. 
Quiet.

(Alex Reid)


(Alex Reid)







Sunrise on Derry Cairngorm

Crystal Ridge, IV 4***. III in my 90's guide. A great route in an alpine setting, deep in the heart of the Cairngorms.



Ben Macdui



Meerkat dog

Carn a Mhaim



(Alex Reid)

Torridon with the Lairig. Good memories, tired eyes and chips.




Beinn an Eoin and Basobheinn from Ling, Lawson and Glovers route. 


Team LLG. A foray in the gully revealed 2 inches of graupel underlying 6 inches of slab. Pin wheeling snow and a high freezing level prompted a reversal. We easily accessed the ridge from a scoured aspect on the right and at a similar grade.


Luke and Ed chilling on the massive pedestal above 'Jenga'. We moved together which was quick and sociable. A brilliant mountaineering route for their first winter climb and they cruised it. 


Greg emerging on the big pedestal stance. Lots of cool scrambling and awesome positions.


Steve on the first pitch of Fight or Flight. A late start, and a long walk in the sun to reach Fuselage Gully. Two belay jackets, a pocket full of club bars and another immense stance on the Triple Buttress's. 

The climbing was great too and made a pleasant intoduction to the steeper mixed on Beinn Eighe. Steve put in a strong lead between awkward slabby roofs. It more than made up for the savage walk in!