2014 Round up.
Another year is nearly in so here is a roundup of 2014 - where does the time go!!!!
The Lakes.
We've had some great days out on the fells and roads of Lakeland. It's hard to pick out the best days but I particularly enjoyed a day out with Susan and Alec when we scrambled up Cam Crag Ridge. I also had a laugh watching Susan fly past a lycra clad 'Mamil' on his expensive bike as we climbed over Whinlatter Pass to Keswick. A first for me was climbing Scafell Pike from sea level with Pete Baines. We did cycle from the sea at Ravenglass to Wasdale Campsite before climbing the Pike.
Susan and Alec scrambling on Cam Crag Ridge (2) - June.
Susan heading up Whinlatter Pass - at speed.
Pete on route to Scafell Pike on our Sea to Summit day.
Climbing.
Jeff Langstaff got the 'go ahead' from his Surgeon to resume climbing 7 years after our accident on Skye. It took a while but together with Pete we easily exceeded our target of 20 different routes. They may not have been as hard as in the past but it was great to get back on the rock. We eventually worked our way up to VS 4c and have hopes of more progress in 2015. The new Keswick climbing wall that opened just as the season ended will help build up the strength.
Jeff and Pete on the ultra classic Little Chamonix (VD) - Shepherd's Crag Borrowdale.
Me on Thomas (S) - Wallabarrow Crag, Duddon.
Jeff and Pete on Kleine Rinne (VS 4b) - South Crag, Castle Rock.
The 'old boys' at the end of an evening on South Crag, Castle Rock.
Cycling.
My cycling highlight this year was completing my first Sportive - the 72 mile Solway Sportive. I did it in 5 hours 3mins at an average speed of 14.3mph. I also really enjoyed our May Bank Holiday weekend cycling in the Borders. The weather was kind to us and we did 3 great routes including the longest ride of the year at 78 miles.
In October we took the mountain bikes up to Aviemore for a short break. The longest route was a 32 mile loop through the Rothiemurchus Forest and over the An Sluggan pass. The off road skills were a bit rusty but it was a grand day out.
The Highlands.
We've had 3 trips 'up north' at Easter, Spring Bank and October. Easter was a camping trip to Braemar and we successfully climbed 7 new Munros on 'Susan's list'. Five of these involved mountain bike approaches which always adds to the day. There was still a bit of snow on the tops and a couple of nights were pretty cold.
June was another camping trip but this time we moved about on 'Munro bagging road trip'. In the end we managed '14 ticks' including 7 in a day on the South Glen Shiel ridge. We also climbed Ben Nevis together for the first time. Susan now has 50 Munros left to complete.
Tour de Mont Blanc.
I've wanted to do this classic trek around western Europe's highest mountain for a long time. As it was 10 years since Susan and I met in Chamonix we decided to do it as a celebration tour. Despite the Alps experiencing their wettest summer for years we had a great time enjoying stunning scenery, a variety of Alpine accommodation and some good company. The Internet has made organising such a trip much easier than 10 years ago.
A great year in the great outdoors. Let's hope that 2015 is another 'gud yan'.
My cycling highlight this year was completing my first Sportive - the 72 mile Solway Sportive. I did it in 5 hours 3mins at an average speed of 14.3mph. I also really enjoyed our May Bank Holiday weekend cycling in the Borders. The weather was kind to us and we did 3 great routes including the longest ride of the year at 78 miles.
In October we took the mountain bikes up to Aviemore for a short break. The longest route was a 32 mile loop through the Rothiemurchus Forest and over the An Sluggan pass. The off road skills were a bit rusty but it was a grand day out.
My 'official' Solway Sportive photo.
Out in the 'Borders' on our bikes.
Riding through the Rothiemurchus Forest.
The Highlands.
We've had 3 trips 'up north' at Easter, Spring Bank and October. Easter was a camping trip to Braemar and we successfully climbed 7 new Munros on 'Susan's list'. Five of these involved mountain bike approaches which always adds to the day. There was still a bit of snow on the tops and a couple of nights were pretty cold.
June was another camping trip but this time we moved about on 'Munro bagging road trip'. In the end we managed '14 ticks' including 7 in a day on the South Glen Shiel ridge. We also climbed Ben Nevis together for the first time. Susan now has 50 Munros left to complete.
Easter - cycling in to Derry Lodge.
Snow fell on a couple of tops.
A long approach gives a sense of remoteness - cycling to Geldie Lodge on a stunning day.
Still plenty of snow to negotiate.
Spring Bank - in the Marmores.
The Grey Corries.
Ben Nevis.
The South Glen Shiel Ridge.
Seven in a day and 50 to go!!!
Tour de Mont Blanc.
I've wanted to do this classic trek around western Europe's highest mountain for a long time. As it was 10 years since Susan and I met in Chamonix we decided to do it as a celebration tour. Despite the Alps experiencing their wettest summer for years we had a great time enjoying stunning scenery, a variety of Alpine accommodation and some good company. The Internet has made organising such a trip much easier than 10 years ago.
Heading out on day one.
Susan loved the donkeys we met frequently on the tour.
On the top of one of many cols crossed during the trip.
Dropping down into Italy.
Stunning views on the day we left Italy and entered Switzerland.
Susan enjoying the ladders on day nine above the Chamonix valley.
On the final day of the tour with Mont Blanc as a backdrop.
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