AMI Working the Ben CPD

On the 22nd and 23rd January 12 members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) met at Alan Kimbers house - Calluna in Fort William. Under the guidance of Alan, Mike Pescod and Richard Bentley everyone gained a huge amount knowledge in the use of Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis. The weather was excellent both days but a little warm.
Winter climbing conditions are good in Scotland and due to be getting cold from Wednesday. Courses and private guiding available. 

Historic meeting at Glenmore Lodge

On Friday 21st Janury a historic meeting convened between the AMI (Paul Platt and Ed Chard), British Mountain Guides (Mark Diggins and Terry Ralphs, BAIML (Izzie Inglis and Nigel Williams), MLTA (Rachel Hinchcliffe) and chaired by Steve Long from MLT. There are exciting plans ahead that will be very benefical for all members of each of the associations and hopefully joint marketing opportunities that will educate the public as to the skills of each association/qualifications - exciting times ahead!

Pre Christmas winter action

Apex & Ascent Training folks had a good run on the crags in the cold weather before Christmas. If you fancy some quiet, low to medium grade mixed routes, then you could do worse that Shelter Crags at the end of Langdale. Jon and I climbed ‘The Big Issue’ IV, 5, well worth its 3 stars. It’s a longish walk to the crag, but if the weather’s really Baltic you could go via Whorneyside Force II/III to break the journey.
Viking Buttress on Helvellyn was quiet and in good shape on the 21^st. Phil and I had this much-loved route to ourselves. He did a great job on the crux pitch which could do with re-seeding – there isn’t a lot of turf on the one move where you really want it!

Low Water Beck III or IV, on a clear night is a blast. The ice was quite different to a couple of weeks ago, which makes it all the more worthwhile repeating the route.

On Christmas Eve, Dave and I shared Cautley Spout III with a few other teams in beautiful weather. Bring on a frigid winter 2011.

Dave on Cautley Spout

Jon Sykes climbing in Langdale

 

Evening ascent of Low Water Beck