http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/index.htmlclimbing, mountain walking and scrambling in North West Scotlandenwww.gofurtherscotland.co.ukCopyright 2007 go further Scotland2010-08-30T21:07:07+01:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:31:42 +0100www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukRunning2010-08-30T21:07:07+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/f0a18cfe5699f49549b056c71bc53206-58.html#unique-entry-id-58http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/f0a18cfe5699f49549b056c71bc53206-58.html#unique-entry-id-58 Conditions for the runners couldn’t have been much worse for the 25th Great Wilderness Challenge event last Saturday but, as usual, the atmosphere was excellent. The picture shows Colin about 22 miles into the 25 mile route. Strong headwinds, especially on the high paths, saw most people well off their target times. Colin was more that 30 minutes slower than his personal best but managed 11th place overall and 1st local.







]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukAn Teallach2010-08-26T20:55:34+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/7eb545da64ebeb2b39c1d7c6a112c743-56.html#unique-entry-id-56http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/7eb545da64ebeb2b39c1d7c6a112c743-56.html#unique-entry-id-56A full traverse of An Teallach is one of our biggest days out with few less than around 9 hours. On Tuesday Susie and Chirantan wanted to complete the traverse and include some navigation practise during the day. We started off in brightening conditions but as the weather became less and less comfortable it became more and more useful for navigation training. go further’s Colin covered a range of techniques needed for a safe day out on an exposed ridge such as An Teallach. This picture was taken on the summit of Bidein before a cold shower lashed the ridge and visibility dropped to a few metres. See our navigation pages for more. ]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukRock Climbing2010-08-26T20:38:50+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/8d4eebbc6ed621bf7e5885d2f456f6b2-55.html#unique-entry-id-55http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/8d4eebbc6ed621bf7e5885d2f456f6b2-55.html#unique-entry-id-55

go further have had several family climbing days this year where we are able to use excellent venues to give children some outdoor climbing experience while giving Mums and Dads the skills to take the family rock climbing independently.The Mackay family, Muzz, Karen, Sol aged 12 and Molly aged 9 managed to squeeze in a day of rock climbing just before the school holidays finished. Paul took them to Kuhjo Crag near Poolewe. With a five minute walk-in, it means you spend time climbing rather than walking, Kids love that, don't we all?

Paul gave them instruction on placing gear on trad routes, sorting out belays and top belaying. They practised how to abseil safely and of course climbed. Karen was joyful to get up her first outdoor climb and realised that she could in fact go to the crag and join in with the rest of the family given the right venue. Muzz tried his first 6a which was a great eye opener for him and the youngsters Molly and Sol ran around jumping on everything, doing their first outdoor leading, safely belaying Dad and just lapping it all up.
]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukRunning2010-08-19T10:09:46+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/53b23cfdc6cf0f4b37aa75db9f4dc7c4-54.html#unique-entry-id-54http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/53b23cfdc6cf0f4b37aa75db9f4dc7c4-54.html#unique-entry-id-54 go further’s Colin (left) will be running the 25 mile mountain route in this year’s Great Wilderness Challenge on Saturday (21st of August). This is the 25th anniversary of the event so everyone is making a huge effort to raise a record amount for vital local charities. Colin has just set up a JustGiving page where you can make easy donations to help him reach his £400 target. Donations are welcome after the event for a couple of months. The 25 mile option runs from Dundonnell, through the Fisherfield Wilderness to Carnmore and then follows the rough track for 8 miles to Poolewe. A route that also makes for a magnificent long-distance walk.




]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukSkyeScrambling2010-07-21T21:02:09+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/0f593bd5e734229496ae54d2d5f071c0-53.html#unique-entry-id-53http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/0f593bd5e734229496ae54d2d5f071c0-53.html#unique-entry-id-53go further’s Paul is with Eric and James (pictured) and two others on the summit of the Inaccessible Pinnacle. Although the In-Pin is famous for its exposed scramble, it is also a perfect position to take in the scale of the Cuillin with tremendous views in every direction. After the In-Pin the group went on to reach Sgurr Mhich Choinnich which you can see in the top right of the picture. The picture is taken looking South East.

]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukSkyeScrambling2010-07-12T21:37:34+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/1420e633f24d56ebc4e45776fb903d53-52.html#unique-entry-id-52http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/1420e633f24d56ebc4e45776fb903d53-52.html#unique-entry-id-52
After climbing the In-Pin we went on to summit Sgurr na Banachdich. If the weather permits and you are up for it, we always try to take in at least one other Munro during days when we do the In-Pin. For more options see our Skye pages.


The Inaccessible Pinnacle.


Martin and Chris on the summit of the In-Pin with go further’s Colin.]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukSkyeScrambling2010-07-02T11:31:34+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/ab45f9ea81833740b12db02a0b6a3df0-51.html#unique-entry-id-51http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/ab45f9ea81833740b12db02a0b6a3df0-51.html#unique-entry-id-51 We’ve had one of our busiest June’s ever enjoying nearly three full weeks on Skye with 15 people in five separate groups. We’ve covered most of Skye’s dramatic Cuillin Ridge and made ascents of nearly all of the Cuillin Munros making the best of a mixed spell of weather that has seen settled but frequent low-lying cloud with spells of light rain.

On Saturday 26th the south end of the Cuillin Ridge remained below a heavy cloud base and despite an early shower we completed a tremendous mountaineering day with Judy, Mary and Karen. Starting at sea level at Glenbrittle bay we walked through the atmospheric Corrie Lagan and accessed the ridge via the Sgumain stone chute. After Sgurr Sgumain there is a long scramble (with one significant roped pitch) up the Western summit ridge of Sgurr Alasdair - Cuillin’s highest summit at 993m.


Judy and Mary on Sgurr Alistair.

During the day the cloud base remained just above the highest tops giving us some dramatic views west to the islands.


Rhum from the Cuillin on the same day.

From Sgurr Alasdair there is a tremendous scramble over Sgurr Thearlaich to the bealach between Sgurr Mhich Choinnich and Sgurr Thearlaich. From here we traversed the famous Collie’s Ledge up to the summit ridge - a long and easy approach to reach this peak but very exposed with a few awkward scrambling moves in places.

During June, go further’s Paul and Colin were also guiding on the north end of the ridge with a large group on Am Basteir and the fabulous scramble up the western summit ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean. We took in Sgurr a’ Mhadaidh and Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh during a wild, windy and misty day. And we also helped 10 people in two groups reach the top of the Inaccessible Pinnacle during long days when we also reached the summits of Sgurr na Banachdich and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. See or Skye pages for more options.

]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukRock ClimbingWester Ross2010-06-14T19:52:36+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/ec772dda5fbd5af76b153a868b4f8676-50.html#unique-entry-id-50http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/ec772dda5fbd5af76b153a868b4f8676-50.html#unique-entry-id-50
Diabaig’s ‘Main Cliff’ is known for its steep first pitches followed by technical slab climbing after good ledge belays at mid-height. Northumberland Wall, with two 5c pitches, takes an unlikely line surmounting the steepest section of the crag. The three-star route starts up an obvious corner to the second small roof shown in the shot below. The line then takes a delicate traverse right before the crux section through the black streaked rock in the top right of the picture. From below the first roof the pitch is sustained, demanding good route finding with a crux move to get established in the upper crack.


Colin Meek on the first pitch of Northumberland Wall - Diabaig Main Cliff.

The second pitch starts up a hard-to-protect slab before traversing left under an obvious overlap (easily seen in the picture below). Above that, the route leads through a steep slab using a thin crack that becomes steadily more useful. Hard moves then lead to a broken feature with better holds.


On the crux of the second pitch.

Generally thought to be a tough E2, it is undoubtedly one of the best routes at Diabaig. The climbing at Diabaig is about 30 minutes from Torridon village and, with a range of grades on fantastic rock, it is a great venue to try some multi-pitch climbing. South facing, it has to be in one of the best positions on the West Coast. More route profiles from Diabaig soon.
See our pages on Guided Climbing for more.



]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukTorridon2010-05-28T17:07:02+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/7188e5d17cc70e598119d7a921b640bc-49.html#unique-entry-id-49http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/7188e5d17cc70e598119d7a921b640bc-49.html#unique-entry-id-49- for two people the cost is £180 each;
- for 3 people £145 each; and,
- for 4 people £110 each.
Three of Scotland’s most famous peaks - Beinn Alligin, Beinn Eighe and Liathach - and six Munros. Tackle all three over three days or pace yourself by spreading the days out over a week or longer. Some easy scrambling and superb ridge walking. See our Torridon page for more information or click on the Liathach tag below for a news post.

]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukClimbingsport climbing2010-05-27T09:06:08+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/85566ef834e24f442c32b4cd6d32f5f2-48.html#unique-entry-id-48http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/85566ef834e24f442c32b4cd6d32f5f2-48.html#unique-entry-id-48gofurther’s Paul and Colin on Snowflake - one of the best routes on Goat Crag which is one of the best sport-clmbing crags in Scotland. The pictures, taken in the last couple of weeks, hopefully capture how steep the crag is yet, after the mid-height crux, the holds become a lot more forgiving as the climb leads diagonally up and left over a massive jagged flake.



The climb starts delicately up a steep face to a bulge above the second runner. The climbing is not hard for the grade here, but the holds aren’t obvious.



The crux section starts after leaving the obvious diagonal break. As the angle steepens the route goes left on good holds before turning back right over the obvious bulge above Paul in this picture.



The hardest section of the route from a different angle. Here you can see the obvious flake line at the top of the picture which takes the climb up and left to a second hard section at the top of the flake, just below the lower-off. A knee-bar rest is possible when you reach the flake.

Snowflake is the furthest left route at Goat Crag which now has more than 15 routes of the highest quality ranging from 6a+ to 8a. A topo should be available from Wild West Topos soon.

Interested in sport climbing or climbing instruction? See our climbing pages for more.

Thanks to local climber Ian Taylor for this bolted line. ]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.uknews2010-05-27T08:53:37+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/b14ad2008d4faa7e8dab64781017402e-47.html#unique-entry-id-47http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/b14ad2008d4faa7e8dab64781017402e-47.html#unique-entry-id-47


]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukSkyeScramblingMountaineering2010-05-16T08:22:07+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/a7c4b6b6bde5c744c77a7066b4983c7f-46.html#unique-entry-id-46http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/a7c4b6b6bde5c744c77a7066b4983c7f-46.html#unique-entry-id-46go further has already seen Skye’s Cuillin mountains in a range of moods this year with full winter Munro weather lasting well into April. Our latest trip last weekend coincided with perfect conditions - dry, cool and with a slight breeze. Over four days we tackled nearly all of the Munro tops in the southern Cuillin including Bla’Bheinn (Blaven) - the dramatic outlyer of the Black Cuillin to the east of the main ridge (see picture below).

Over this weekend we reached three of the Cuillin’s 12 Munros on Saturday and Sunday. On the first day Gair and five of his friends tackled Sgurr a’ Mhadaith from the notch in the main ridge known as An Dorus. From here we scrambled south over the narrow and exposed summit of Sgurr a’ Ghreadaith pictured below. Here we are traversing the South Top from the main summit in the distance.



From this point, the ridge drops sharply down to the south east before a steep easy scramble up to the summit of Sgurr na Banachdich.

On Sunday we set out to reach the three most southerly Munros on the main ridge via the narrow and spectacular Corrie Ghrunnda. Once we gained the main summit ridge we travelled south to Sgurr nan Eag then north to the Sgurr Dubh an Da Bheinn top which offers extensive and easy scrambling to a dramatic summit with a view into three of the Cuillin’s corries. From here, a complex coll leads to the second Munro of the day - Sgurr Dubh Mor which is reached by a steep but easy scramble. From here, the main ridge goes north west where we traversed around the head of the Corrie Ghrunnda to tackle the Cuillin’s highest summit - Sgurr Alasdair - from the south west. This requires a long roped scramble over difficult ground to reach the famous summit.



Here, Pat and Rory are just arriving at the summit with Loch Brittle far below (go further’s Colin in red).



Gair - taking in the view on his last Munro.



The quickest way down from Sgurr Alasdair is the Great Stone Shoot (above). On May 10th, the day after our trip to Sgurr Alasdair, gofurther’s Paul took this picture (below) with a group from London tackling Sgurr Dearg and the Inaccessible Pinnacle. Fresh snow arrived overnight on a strong and cold north easterly. The highest peak is Sgurr Alasdair with Sgurr Mhic Choinnich on the left.



The best view of the whole Cuillin ridge is from Bla Bheinn (Blaven) which sits to the west of the main ridge on the Elgol peninsula. Although daunting to look at, Bla Bheinn has a relatively easy route to the top which requires almost no scrambling. From the summit you can see the entire main ridge from Gars-bheinn in the south to Sgurr nan Gillean in the north. Below, Maggie on the summit on Friday with the main ridge in the distance.

The whole ridge: 8 miles long with 10,000 feet of total ascent - a big expedition. More on that soon.

]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukSea StacksRock Climbing2010-05-05T09:24:53+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/4737678287e886a683196a6a73162917-45.html#unique-entry-id-45http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/4737678287e886a683196a6a73162917-45.html#unique-entry-id-45gofurther Scotland has made two successful trips there either side of our amazing winter. Last weekend gofurther’s Paul made the trip with Malachy and completed the climb on Saturday during a spell of cold weather blown in on a light northerly.

The 135m Old Man is one of the country’s most inspiring rock climbing venues with a sense of adventure and isolation that you get in few other areas. The classic route, now graded E1, takes the original line up the landward face of the stack with the second crux pitch negotiating an awkward move out of a niche onto the face directly left of the main crack.



The sensational final pitch (with Malachy pictured below) is on perfect rock up 20m corner to the summit. With waves swirling below and stunning views over to St John’s Head (the tallest sea cliffs in Britain) it is certainly one of the most spectacular rock climbing moments.



Below, Malachy reaches the summit with incredible views over to St John’s Head and the hills of Hoy.




After 5 pitches a multi-pitch abseil descent is needed finishing with a 60m free abseil to the bottom of the stack on the landward side.



See our pages on Sea Stacks for more options.
]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukWinterAn Teallachfisherfield munrosMountaineering2010-05-02T21:31:05+01:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/640ae52011537d7fb46f6da3f35778b8-44.html#unique-entry-id-44http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/640ae52011537d7fb46f6da3f35778b8-44.html#unique-entry-id-44
Here the group is approaching the rounded summit ridge of Sail Liath - the beginning of the An Teallach ridge.



And this picture looks south-east to over the Fisherfield wilderness. Spring conditions have gradually won through in the North West and gofurther Scotland has been busy at the crag and on the summits throughout April and into May - perhaps these will be the last pictures of full winter conditions for some time.

]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukWinterMountain Rescue2010-03-03T15:09:10+00:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/3e2b3e913a22a1cd98abcc3da58dc1b0-43.html#unique-entry-id-43http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/3e2b3e913a22a1cd98abcc3da58dc1b0-43.html#unique-entry-id-43

This great shot was taken in mid-February during Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team training on Beinn Dearg. Not only does it give a good impression of the scale of this peak it also shows the extraordinary dyke that runs from the tip of the North West Ridge (in the distance) to close to the summit. The drystane dyke, often built with huge blocks, is between 3 and 5 feet high in places but only the top-most layer of blocks were visible above the snow. Just after these pictures were taken the weather turned colder again and, in the second half of the month, another huge fall of snow took the snow line back to sea level and it has remained there since.

The picture below includes ‘Skye’ - a local member of the Search and Rescue Dog Association.

]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukTorridonWinterWester RossMountaineeringMountain Walking2010-03-03T14:39:17+00:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/3904ed4582acb1e643fc0a4c67b752ac-42.html#unique-entry-id-42http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/3904ed4582acb1e643fc0a4c67b752ac-42.html#unique-entry-id-42


In the first half of the month we found ourselves on Slioch - just north of Loch Maree (in the distance in the picture above with Torridon in the background). Here the group are just hitting the snow line at about 1500 feet.



Later that week we moved south to Torridon where this picture was taken of the the main Beinn Eighe ridge from the Liathach ridge. For more details on Torridon see here.



Liathach is a special mountain at any time of the year but, combined with An Teallach and Beinn Eighe, can there be a better series of winter summits to aim for on the Scottish mainland?

Another great day out is to tackle the Black Carls on the Beinn Eighe Ridge - one of the best Wester Ross scrambles and, in the winter, a great mountaineering adventure. Here the group is heading onto the main ridge...



...and here (below) we are heading towards the start of the Carls.

]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukWinterfisherfield munros2010-01-10T21:23:39+00:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/54f7ff9e56c54c93779d413514299fc3-41.html#unique-entry-id-41http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/54f7ff9e56c54c93779d413514299fc3-41.html#unique-entry-id-41quickest way into Carnmore is an eight mile hike from Poolewe on the coast.



This shot (above) shows evening light on Carnmore Crag on the way into Carnmore and the picture below shows the famous Carnmore bothy. Not the best bothy in the area, but one of the best locations in the whole of the Northern Highlands for climbing and mountain walking.





Above, one of the most famous Fisherfield munros: A’Mhaighdean (The Maiden) and the Dubh Loch below. ]]>www.gofurtherscotland.co.ukWinterAn Teallach2010-01-10T20:59:04+00:00http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/2afe032c622ead9718b473db1d762169-40.html#unique-entry-id-40http://www.gofurtherscotland.co.uk/page30/files/2afe032c622ead9718b473db1d762169-40.html#unique-entry-id-40

Truly incredible winter conditions started early in Wester Ross and hardly changed through to mid-January. This picture looks directly south into the sun just after the shortest day of 2009 just after Christmas. In the middle is An Teallach’s Sgurr Fiona with the pinnacled ridge running to the left and the Western ridge on the right. Conditions were heavy going during this spell with a lot of fresh snow and little consolidation. ]]>