posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 4:09 PM  0 comments

Looking into Coire Ardair, on the Creag Meagaidh round.

Skerryvore play the Nevis Centre, Fort William
Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis beckons...

So far our summer up here in the Highlands has been great - the odd shower or thunderstorm but no relentless rain. Great weather for getting out and ticking some classics.

The weekend of the 11th of July I re-did Tower Ridge. Before when I'd done it it had been clagged over, drizzly and quite intimidating. Last weekend it was broad sunshine all the way and it gave the day a very different feel. We moved together, just stopping to put the odd belay on until we got to Tower Gap which we pitched. For those who haven't done Tower Ridge - the gap is the notch at the top of the ridge that although not a technically hard climb has great exposure, as you down climb into and out of a gap with hundreds of metres of air beneath your feet. Last Saturday it felt very do-able and I enjoyed it, very different to the previous time when it had been pretty windy and I admit to being very nervous when tackling it.

The North Face of the Ben is so big that although there were other climbers on various routes you still get a feeling of being on a big remote mountain. It is a completely different feel when you top out - the summit of Ben Nevis on a sunny July Saturday is very, very busy with all the charity walks, and vistors 'bagging the Ben'. It makes me appreciate how many people go up and down this mountain and the great work the Nevis Partnership and all their partners do in maintaining footpaths and habitat on this iconic mountain.

This weekend the weather was much more mixed with quite a bit of rain, but this didn't stop an unusual hen night going ahead. Making the most of living up in the Highlands a friend's hen night consisted of a trip out on the train to Corrour Resturant to eat at what must be one of the remotest resturants (although may the Old Forge in Knoydart beats it), suitably fed and watered we sang our way back to Fort William on the train, much to the amusements of other travellers, and made our way over to hear Skerryvore play at the Nevis Centre.

A great night, followed by a cheeky bagging of three Munro's the next day. Despite a crack of noon start we managed to do the round of Carn Liath, Stob Poite Coire Adair and Creag Meagaidh before getting relentlessly rained on in descent. Let's hope the rain moves through quickly - we have all got used to sunshine and warm weather and rather like it!

Anna July 20th 2009

posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 8:54 AM  0 comments

Up here in the Highlands we have had much of the sunshine experienced by the rest of the country but without so many severe thunderstorms (although we have had a few). With the forecast for today good and a free night last night I was able to organise myself to do what must be one the best commutes to work in the world. It demands an early start but the payback is worth it! Read on to find out more....



Living in Kinlochleven it is a 25 minute drive to the Corran Ferry, where I take my bike out of the car and ride for free on the short 5 minute crossing to Ardgour. Then it is a 10 mile flat cycle along the loch past working crofts and ancient woodlands with veiws back to Ben Nevis and the Mamores. Not a single vehicle past me today and I had the views and birdsong to myself. Once at Camasnagaul I was in plenty of time for the 8.15 community ferry to take me across the loch to Fort William and work. The banter on the ferry was worth the trip alone with the Skipper threatening to take change his/our plans and carry on out along the loch to the sea, stopping only to fish along the way! If only...but common sense reined and we motored across to Fort William and I continued into work.

The veiws across from Camasnagaul to Ben Nevis are great and the village hall doubles as a cafe during the day in summer. The Highland Council Rangers lead walks out to the woodlands around Camasnagaul on a regular basis. If you are in Fort William this is a great day trip.

I'll cycle back tonight - if time is on my side I'll stop at the Ardgour Inn whilst waiting for the ferry.

posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 1:48 PM  0 comments

Views over to Isle of Lismore

Ballachulish Sunset

Views from the Corryhully Horseshoe ridge

Since Sunday 10th May 09 the Outdoor Capital has enjoyed fantastic weather, somewhat deserved because the previous week when the Scottish Six Day Trial had been up in Lochaber the weather had been truly atrocious. Luckily most of the riders are pretty tough but it must have made what is already a pretty challenging event even more so.

So this week has been payback time. As the saying goes 'make hay while the sun shines' so I have been making the most of it and getting out as much as possible.

After a long lay off from hill-walking due to injury I went out and did the Corryhully Horseshoe, a long but superb hill walk with great access in on the Glenfinnan Estate road. Too often landowners only get press when they block access but this estate positively encourage walkers and cyclists, and should be applauded. We took bikes (no motorised vehichles allowed) in on a tarmaced private road, until just after the bothy. This saves quite a bit of time and about 4-5km of walking; after a wonderful cicuit with views to die for over to the Small Isles, Knoydart and back to Ben Nevis, we took just 14 minutes to cycle back to the car. As well as getting to tick 2 Munros you also get to go underneath the world famous Glenfinnan Viaduct made even more famous with the Harry Potter films.

The good weather has kept on coming and on Monday evening I enjoyed a stroll after supper with a friend around Ballachulish and captured the sunset over Morven.

Work took me to Oban this morning and I took the opportunity to stop at Port Appin just off the A85 on the way back to eat my lunch. A visit to Port Appin is a great day out from the Outdoor Capital. There is a super giftshop, Seahorse Gifts as well as the ferry which takes you over to the Isle of Lismore. It is well worth taking bikes over on the little passenger ferry and exploring the island. To complete the day you could eat at the Pierhouse Hotel which has a good reputation. As I ate my lunch and gazed out over the blue sea Rockhopper (a kayaking company) were taking a group out seakayaking, I couldn't have asked for a more scenic lunch spot.

Let's hope this weather holds...

Anna

posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 3:47 PM  0 comments

Dougie Lampkin launches World trials in Fort William

Sunday 3rd May saw Britain’s twelve times World trials champion Dougie Lampkin officially launch the UK round of the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, which will be hosted in the Outdoor Capital at Nevis Range just outside Fort William, Scotland in June 2010. Lampkin who is currently competing in, and leading the World famous Scottish six days trial that is taking place around Fort William throughout this week, took time out from his event preparations to add his support to this exciting project.

Thirty-three year old Lampkin who sits in sixth place in this year’s World series at the moment, and who won the Scottish six days trial twelve months ago performed in front of a packed Fort William High Street on Sunday afternoon to declare the build up to the initial event in 2010 to be officially open.
Dougie stunned the waiting crowds as he leapt his factory Beta machine up on to the roof of the carefully positioned gondola, which had been provided by Nevis Range. With the applause still ringing loud Lampkin only paused briefly before then causing another similar reaction, as this time he jumped from his elevated position back down on to the street below. Not content with his one safe passage, Dougie then repeated the incredible feat twice more before signing off, much to the delight of the crowd.

The spectacular and scenic setting at Nevis Range just outside Fort William will be the home of World class trials for the next three years, with the first of these events being a round of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship taking place on 26/27th June. The fabulous venue at the foot of the famous Ben Nevis mountain will then welcome the Trial des Nations in September 2011. This will be the first time ever that this inter countries team competition has been hosted on the UK mainland during its entire history. The initial three year plan will then be brought to a close in June 2012, when the Scottish Highlands enjoys yet another round of the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship.

Tickets for the 2010 event will be on sale from late June this year. For full details of these forthcoming World class competitions please visit the official event website – www.ukworldtrial.com

posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 10:34 AM  0 comments

posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 11:01 AM  0 comments

Views over Loch Etive

Views up to the Mamores from Kinlochleven

posted by Outdoor Capital of the UK @ 10:48 AM  0 comments