Glen Doe

 
The Glen Doe hydro electric scheme is operational again so presumably access for walkers is back to normal.  Maybe.

The Eiger – Fatal Attraction (repeat). BBC4, 8pm Wednesday 22 August

Superb skiing conditions in Wengen - photo (scanned from slide) taken from Wengernalp. The hot chocolate and cake wasn't bad either!

For anyone with an interest in climbing history (or anyone without for that matter) – this is worth watching.   Even at Swiss prices this makes me want to go back!

Skye calling

It's a sure sign of withdrawal symptoms when this little verse keeps going round in my head. It refers of course to the Dubh Ridge, the "best easy climb in Skye", Maylard and Solly being past presidents of the SMC.

'Said Maylard to Solly one day in Glen Brittle,
   All serious climbing, I vote, is a bore;
Just for once, I Dubh Beag you'll agree to do little,
   And, as less we can't do, let's go straight to Dubh Mor.

'So now when they seek but a day's relaxation,
    With no thought in the world but of viewing the views,
And regarding the mountains in mute adoration,
    They call it not "climbing", but "doing The Dubhs"

Lynne on the coastal path to Loch Coruisk and the start of the Dubh Ridge

 For years a good friend has wanted to climb the Dubh Ridge with us but distance, weather, injury and just getting our act together to be on Skye at the same time have proved much greater obstacles than the climb itself could ever be. I often encouraged him to go it alone in our absence but, despite many other escapades on the Main Ridge involving much harder climbing, he maintained he wasn't a climber and his various visits to Coruisk never included as much as a skirmish with this enticing sweep of gabbro slabs. The continuation from Sgurr Dubh Beag to Sgurr Dubh Mor is a little problematic and involves (usually) a rather hairy abseil, but the atmosphere of the climbing on the slabs themselves is perfectly captured by the above ditty. If you read this Tom then "Jan will meet us at Glen Brittle so we can do the complete traverse", would be a the ideal response. Just click 'comments'! In any event we'll be off soon.

All in all, I'd rather be here

..but unfortunately garden, cutting hedges and some outside work on the house have anchored us firmly at home, although we have managed a couple of days on the local hills. Thankfully, our next trip is not too far off but the destination is flexible. Thanks to Alan Rayner, Martin Banfield and Sir Hugh for providing interesting reading on their respective blogs - always worth a visit. Hopefully I'll be able to post something of interest soon!