Out with the Oban Mountaineering Club, and my first winter walk of the season. The weather wasn't quite as kind as the forecast had predicted. Walking up into Coire Ardair, the tops were covered in clag. The approach wasn't frozen although there was snow on the ground once you reached the lochan. The snow got progressively deeper as we went up into the Window. On our left an avalanche cracked and thundered down one of the gullies - conditions are still pretty unconsolidated although the ground was hard beyond the lochan. Up on the plateau it was wild, and there was much faffing with layers trying to remember what works in winter conditions. It was hard going through deep snow with much of the walk to Craig Meagaidh's summit done on bearings. We descended via Meall Coire Choille rais - which I am told is pretty spectacular although we couldn't see much. However we were rewarded at the end of the day when the sun came out and there were spectacular views over Loch Laggan.
The next day wild, wet and mild weather came in and much of the snow cover has been washed away - as I write on Tuesday morning it is absolutely tipping it down and temperatures are up to 8 degrees or so in Fort William

For up to date conditions reports go to Abacus Mountaineering's site or West Coast Mountain Guides

posted by ocuk @ 10:12 AM  0 comments

Went along to the Fort William Christmas Festival - on both Thursday 7th and Friday 8th - sang carols on Thursday and shopped on Friday. Successfully resisted all the free chocolates, and mulled wine being plied on all and sundry by the shops - except at Thorntons where they were dipping marshmallows in a chocolate fountain - yum!

The Festival was a opportunity to buy local produce with Lochaber Larder selling delicious venison burgers, also good to see the Lochaber Farm shop there - I wish they had a High Street presence more regularly. Also present was Skippinish Records selling CDs by local artistes - I am now a fan of traditional singer Rachel Walker. Award winning Tomorrow's Child were there selling their range or irreverant childrens clothes and accessories.

There was lots for kids with Father Christmas arriving by raindeer pulled sled, and a nativity play to name a few things - Paul Biggen was letting all try wood-turning and selling his beautiful bowls and plates.

For more pics see the BBC site.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/in_pictures/6168319.stm >

Anna

posted by ocuk @ 9:52 AM  0 comments

And all because the lady loves.... the Fort William Mountain Festival!

If you missed last week's fantastic publicity about the launch of the 2007 Fort William Mountain Festival, here's another chance to have a look at some of the mad antics that the brave souls of the organising committee and friends got up to at the Inchree Falls, Onich to promote the festival. The event was a huge success, gathering column inches across the national press and securing UK-wide notoriety for Maddy! (here she is in The Times).

'Highland Maddy' Harris (as the Daily Record named her) riding her bike on a zipwire across Inchree Falls!

Ben Starkie of Vertical Descents making vertical white-water paddling look easy!

The festival was certainly launched with a splash! For 2007 the festival has expanded into two weeks of events with a mountain culture theme - as well as lectures by top climbers, kayakers and others, there will be a packed programme of films, workshops, the Banff Mountain Festival World Tour, gaelic song, theatre, writing and art. Check out the programme online or download a PDF copy from www.mountainfestival.co.uk/programme.htm -Lisa

posted by ocuk @ 11:15 AM  0 comments