Navigation Course
The last two days I’ve been delivering a navigation course for a small group from The Ramblers for Falkirk Outdoors. The course was delivered completely outdoors within the City of Edinburgh Council area. On Thursday we used the Dalmeny and Cammo areas. On Friday we started from Harlaw and used the west side of Harbour Hill and around Capelaw to get on to some unpathed terrain. Thanks to the group who were enthusiastic throughout, which made for a great course.
EICA Ratho
On Friday and Monday I was in training at EICA Ratho. Really good to get some mileage in the arms.
Lowland Leader Training
Over the weekend Craig and I were delivering a Lowland Leader Training Course for Falkirk Outdoors. It’s the first I’ve delivered with the current restrictions/guidelines and definitely makes you think hard about your teaching methods, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Thanks to all the participants for their enthusiasm over what at times was a cold and wet two days delivered completely outside.
Photo credit: Craig McClaren.
Photo credit: Craig McClaren.
Photo credit: Craig McClaren.
Hound Point
Pamela and I met for some local bouldering at Hound Point on Friday. It’s not extensive, but with a bit of imagination can provide some fun problems in a pleasant setting. The landings on the main area are generally flat and sandy, but it’s worth having something to get the sand off your shoes before starting a problem. Unfortunately, it’s also worth watching out for broken glass on holds and particularly the top. Wilf.
Not a bad view.
Ratho
Great to have a climbing session with Emanuelle today on her birthday. We were inside and a slightly damp outside at Ratho. Many thanks to Gillian for organising the day.
Local Hills, Bouldering and Climbing
Over the last week we’ve managed some good local hill walking, bouldering and climbing culminating in a visit to North Berwick Law today. The crag was busy, for North Berwick Law, but everyone was friendly and sensible given the current situation.
Ettrick Hills & Last Donald
In early July when we were allowed to travel further for exercise again I decided I needed a goal to help me get my hill fitness back. I settled on the Donalds and Donald Tops. For the less hill nerdy folk out there this is a list of 140 hills in the Scottish Lowlands with a height of at least 2000ft (610m). The logic behind this choice was that they were relatively close to home, so would limit travel; would be relatively quiet hills in terms of other people and that I’d already done quite a few.
Saddle Yoke across the Moffat Water, which is part of the excellent horseshoe above Black Hope.
Last week Jen and I went for a very pleasant walk up West Knowe and Loch Fell and with these two I completed the Donalds and Donald Tops. I climbed my first Donald in November 1998, so definitely wasn’t breaking any records. However, I’ve walked or run 48 that were new to me since July plus some I’d visited before and a bunch of smaller hills to make interesting routes.
Jen heading up above the Selcoth Burn.
Loch Fell was a fairly random choice for the last one, but it’s definitely worth saving for a clear day as it gives magnificent views to the Lowthers, the Galloway Hills, the Lake District, the Cheviot and the Eildons as well as the nearby Ettrick and Moffat Hills. A quick thankyou should go out to Rab Anderson and Tom Prentice who edited the excellent SMC guide to “The Grahams and the Donalds”, which suggests good routes with plenty of options and lots of interesting background information.
Perthshire Cragging
Out climbing at Creag na h-Eighe and Myopic’s Buttress, Dunkeld, today. Some seepage at both crags, but plenty of routes to be climbed.
Galloway
I was out for a run in Galloway yesterday, for those who know the terrain “run” is a fairly loose term. I took in Buchan Hill, Rig of Loch Enoch, Mullwharchar, Dungeon Hill, Craignairny, Craignaw, the west top of Snibe Hill and Craiglee before descending the delightfully named Rig of Jarkness back to Loch Trool. Plenty of tussocks, but also some excellent expanses of exposed granite. Wilf.
Meall nan Tarmachan and Beinn na Sroine
I was out doing some staff training with the Falkirk Outdoors team yesterday. Good to catch up with some of the team in person for the first time in a while. The weather was great, so I then headed for a run up Beinn na Sroine, which gave great views to Ben Lui, Ben Cruachan and beyond.
