Glen Clova, finally

Finally some trad climbing. Simon and I went to Glen Clova.

 We started with Wandered, a well protected, exposed HVS 5a.

 Here is Simon climbing the upper arete.

 After that Proud Corner, a long VS 4c.

 We then went to the upper crag and climbed Red Wall E1 5b. Here is Simon in the quartz chimney of the first pitch...

 ... and here he is on the upper wall, nearly there.

 I then had a go at Zig Zag double direct E2 5c. Here is Simon on the first pitch...

 ... and here is an old photo showing a climbing doing the exposed upper crux move. I had a very big cam which protected the crux move and managed to contort myself into the right position to easily reach  the big jug which finishes off the difficulties. The upper corner is very exposed.

 Good to climb outside on a continental summer-like day. I then went to search for the Airlie monument, which is a landmark in Glen Clova that can be seen from a long way. The monument was built in 1901 in honour of the 9th Earl of Airlie (1856-1900) who was killed during the Boer War in South Africa. Here it is...

 ... but unfortunately it was closed. Two walkers told me that it is only open once a year. So no views for me as the surrounding forest prevents views towards Kirriemuir and Dundee. Instead some wee flowers and a bug instead to finish off this entry. 

Summer time...
HW

Isle of May

When on the Fife peninsula I have often looked over to the isle of May which lies 8 km off the Fife coast in the Firth of Forth. A ferry goes from Anstruther but I have never done it. Last Saturday was the chance to do it in style by sea kayak. We met in the Anstruther harbour in a trip organised by Joan and Gilbert. Against the odds summer weather and the trip of the season conincided. Here we are preparing the kayaks...

 ... and here we leave the harbour to make the passage with a calm sea ahead.

Tayside sea kayak club has become recently quite a diverse club in the best sense of the word with the experienced and inexperienced, Scottish and those from elsewhere, females and males and young and old members. Here are some of the females close to the Anstruther coast...  

... and here the group on their way to the Isle of May in the distance.

Gilbert instructing Ana who is happy to be instructed given the sunshine.

The closer we come the more puffins and other sea birds are around us. It is a bird sanctuary with many different species.

Here is Katie carrying her kayak onto the land...

 ... and here are our kayaks.

 Giulio and I went for a walk around the island. Two other kayakers pass us below on their way back to the mainland.

 Here is the Southern end of the island. It is white with bird droppings.

 The star of the show are the puffins. Here a wee colony with bass rock in the distance.

 Here is Stevenson's lighthouse and the mainland behind.

 Here again Stevenson's lighthouse. A good setting for an Agatha Christie crime novel.

 We walked further to near the Northern end of the island.

 On the way back to the kayak Artic terns attacked.

 Seals followed us on our way back. Here are Ana and Mike close to Anstruther harbour.

Our landing...

 ... and Ana looking magnificient in her Avocet.

 A fantastic martime adventure which is much recommended.
HW

Sea Kayaking Plockton, Applecross and the Crowlin Islands

Our first sea kayaking expedition: a start in Kyleakin opposite Skye and around to Plockton, followed by a sea crossing to Applecross with a bothy/camping night and via the Crowlin islands back to the starting point. Here, we are launching the kayaks in Kyleakin...

... and here we are approaching Plockton...

... and here we reach the harbour.

Ana on target...

... and here our lunch spot.

After that a quite rough but easily manageable crossing to Applecross and up to the bothy.

Here the start of day 2,

a much cloudier day.

After the Crowlin islands a long crossing back to Kyleakin.

Here we have nearly reached the other side...

... and its us after the Skye bridge.

HW

Dyke's cliff traverse

For a quick fix the Dyke's cliff traverse is a good option. Here a time lapse:
Dyke's cliff traverse from Henning Wackerhage on Vimeo.

Otherwise not much climbing but some photos of the delayed spring. A view towards Tayport...

 ... and daffodils with Broughty Ferry castle. 

 The oil rig in Dundee harbour...

 ... and a regatta on the Tay. 

 More daffodils hoping for warmer weather above St. Cyrus beach...

 ... and a yellow field a wee bit further north.

HW

Liathach winter traverse

Roger and Mike had booked flights to Inverness for our spring Munro outing. However, the forecasts predicted winter rather than spring and after some UKC condition updates (thanks!) and insider tips (thanks!) we decided to do the Liathach winter traverse. We stayed in the Ling hut and got up just after 6 am. Here the classic photo of the Ling hut with Liathach, the grey one, behind. 

 We walked into Coireag Dubh Mor on the Northern side of the hill. We climbed to the ridge via 'Way Up' I**, whose bland name contrasts with the character of the gully and the Torridonian landscape below.

 Rather than going directly to the col we took a line further right...

 ... to reach the ridge that led to the summit of Spidean a' Choire Leith, the first Munro summit. Here are Mike and Roger in beautiful spring light... 

 ... and here the view down to the Eastern end of the mountain with Beinn Eighe to the left.

 Clouds came and went whilst we descended to the Fasarinen Pinnacles...

... which lie in front of us here. 

 As it is a grade II winter climb we climbed it, as the gully before, roped up. Here are Roger and Mike making progress 'au cheval' (on the right it is very exposed at this stage)...

 ... and here we have reached a col with the sun shining. 

 A lot of up and down...

 ... before the final ascend to the second Munro summit, Mullach an Rathain, on the Western end of the ridge. 

 The weather started to close in and the wind picked up, as had been predicted. However, the tops were still cloud free and we saw the Cuillin on Skye with plenty of snow cover and the feature-rich coastline of the Northwestern highlands. Cuillin traverse will be Alpine in nature for the foreseeable future.

 Finally the summit with Beinn Alligin behind...

 ..., a Golden Eagle,...

 ... a meal and drink in the Torridon hotel and a good night in the excellent Torridon youth hostel.
HW