I was down at the neebs for dinner yesterday and had a good look at their collection of nautical maps, one of which is a beautifully drawn survey map of 1861, “Lochs Etive and Creran”, surveyed by Commander E.J. Bedford F.R.G.S. I compared it to a modern map of the area, which seemed dull and lifeless in comparison and then a few things jumped out of the pages and I discovered some old gems of hill names. (more…)
Having completed the TCO (The Cat Outdoors) Challenge, Mrs. Tiny Caio, the eBothy cat, relaxes in front of the fire and prepares to tells us of her route
The self arrest video from the Winter Essentials DVD is now online over at the MCofS
Just back from the top of Beinn nan Carn to see the sunset on the shortest day. The weather at the eBothy has been fantastic all week. There’s some rain due tomorrow morning, then clearing up. Hopefully that high pressure area on the continent will stay where it is to keep the weather superb. (more…)
A merry blogmas to all readers of this pontificating portfolio of pointless prose! May your snow be hard, your ice be clear and cold and your crampons sharp. May your ice axe of ambition steady your progress on the steep neve of life. And if you don’t celebrate xmas, be happy and safe in your own way.
Here’s my xmas card to all my readers. Probably the best picture of Blaven in the world. Ever!
Today at the eBothy there’s a Scandinavian high bringing light winds from the east and man, what a day! (more…)
Here’s something to keep the bothy bore busy for a while. It’s a gaelic tongue twister:
“Leum leth-cheud losgan ‘san linnhe” [ lame lay-chay-it loskan san leen-yeh ]
50 frogs jumped in the pool!
Or if you want to look windswept and interesting in front of the bothy fire, just gently massage the gnarly stubble on your chin with your thumb and forefinger and with a philosophically quizzical expression on your face, utter those words slowly and thoughtfully. But in gaelic of course!
Just heard about a new hillwalking club starting up in Kyle of Lochalsh, the Lochalsh Trail Club. It’s run by Patrick Cowdroy who owns 9-1-4 Outdoor opposite Eilean Donan castle. If you’ve never been into 9-1-4, it’s a good, solid hill gear shop and well worth a visit next time you’re in the area. The LTC is the same thingy that runs the Lochalsh Dirty 30 and the new club has an impressive day meet list. Looks like there will be a low and high level route on each meet. If there’s anyone reading this erstwhile blog in the Skye and Lochalsh area, either pop in to 9-1-4 Outdoor or email Patrick at info@914outdoor.co.uk for more info.
I was feeling a bit “bleh” on Monday so instead of the south Glen Shiel ridge, or a part of it, I just bimbled up Ben Aslak and indulged in a bit of dusk navigation on the way back down. (more…)
