Go Mountain Goats

On Saturday 8th April it was fantastic summery weather and the hills were all but free of snow following the mild winter. I've run the Mamores Round twice before, as well as done it several times as part of longer linkups. Previously I'd clocked in at just over 7hrs, so was fairly sure I could get it under that. At least. Setting off from Achriabhach at noon I decided to run clockwise, therefore getting the long runnable section done on fresh legs - I ran up the road and through to Steall Ruin. Onward to the summit of Binnein Beag I was pleased to get there in around 1hr 12mins. Knowing the route pretty well made for a fairly stress free journey, keeping eating and drinking and taking in the views. I only touched snow on a handful of times, never more than a few strides to cross small patches. Looking to Binnein Beag from the slopes below Sgurr Eilde Mor As I ran I felt pretty strong and started doing some sums from my Tranter splits to see if sub-6hrs was do-able. ...

Today I did this link that I've had my eye on for a while. The weather was stunning and it was great to be out on the Ben. Looking up towards No. 5 Gully etc I came up with the idea while looking at the Ben Nevis guidebook and realising that there aren't that many Grade 1's on the Ben! I had a look at the UKC Logbook list too and amalgamated the two. Not much info out there about Arch Gully, on Carn Dearg Summit Buttresses - quite cool with a big chockstone. My Route: Start North Face car park Up No. 5 Gully Down Colando Gully Up Arch Gully Down No. 4 Gully Up No. 3 Gully Down Tower Gully Up East Gully of Douglas Boulder Down West Gully of Douglas Boulder Finish North Face car park I didn't include CMD Arete as I think you can argue that its not really 'on' the Ben. 2hrs 51mins 08secs 16.8km ?1677m ascent Under the chockstone in Arch Gully On the plateau Looking down Tower Gully Looking back up Tower Gully Observa...

My video from last year's trip got its 'premiere' at the Ski Night of Fort William Mountain Festival in February Video at: https://vimeo.com/195288221 "In March 2016, 4 British ski mountaineers set off from Menton on the Cote du Azur and headed for the snow! In 7hrs we reached it, and in 7 days we had travelled over 130 miles to reach Aiguilles in the Queyras. Next year we plan to return and continue this journey, following a route along the Grand Alpine Arc. Our hope is to continue returning over several years, finishing eventually at the other end of the Alps in Vienna"

I set out at 0805hrs on Saturday 1st October 2016 and completed an anti-clockwise Tranter's Round in 10hrs 15minutes 30seconds. I have been interested in the Tranter Round for a long time. Last February, myself and Tim Gomersall completed a Winter round on skimo ski mountaineering equipment in 17hrs 35mins (see  http://gomountaingoats.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/skimo-tranter-round.html ) My focus over the past year or so has moved to longer races and runs. Competing in the Tromso Skyrace (3rd place, 6hrs 55mins) and Glencoe Skyline (4th place, 7hrs) as well as long runs in the hills have improved my stamina and distances. Supporting Jasmin Paris on her Ramsay Round Record (I did the third leg which was about 35km I think) was eye opening and sociable. Interest in long distance records seems to be on the increase. I like this: racing is good, but just going out and doing a long route for the challenge / fun of it is probably even more appealing to me. Looking at previous split tim...

15th August 2016 A classic mountaineering link-up I have wanted to do for years, but never gotten around to (I've done each ridge several times, but never linked them together). Really very enjoyable - such a lot of climbing! Enjoyed on a lovely afternoon in August 3hrs39mins36secs From North Face Car Park - up North East Buttress (standard route traversing in from the left to above First Platform) - down Tower Ridge - up Observatory Ridge - down Ledge Route - up Castle Ridge - return to North Face Car Park c. 2091m ascent 18.9km V. Diff climbing standard https://www.strava.com/activities/677178793 Tower Ridge and Ledge Route seen from North East Buttress On Castle Ridge

6th August 2016 56.5km 4700m ascent 6hrs 55min Third place (to Tom Owens and Jonathan Albon) https://www.strava.com/activities/666460489 Amazing race, it had everything - technical terrain, fast runable stuff, and everything in between. An adventurous journey in awe inspiring terrain! Great exploring in Tromso region afterwards - especially the ridge off the back of Store Blamen See here for a flickr album of the trip: https://www.flickr.com/photos/132199272@N05/albums/72157669594424273/page1

Trip with Tim Gomersall July 2016 13th July Grand Paradiso (4061m) - West Flank (PD-) https://www.strava.com/activities/641940046 5hrs 33m return from Pont 15th July Rimpfischhorn (4199m) North Ridge  https://www.strava.com/activities/641933005 11.5hrs including walking back to Saas Fe 16th July To Dent Blanche Hut from Ferpecle https://www.strava.com/activities/642841704 2hrs22m 17th July Dent Blanche (4357m) South Ridge (AD) https://www.strava.com/activities/643752598 19th July Midi to Kuffner Arete to Mt Maudit to Mt Blanc down Gouter route to Les Houches church https://www.strava.com/activities/646167918 7hrs 57mins Kuffner Route (D) (about 2hrs 20m from glacier to Mt Maudit summit)