Car

The first time I drove a car on my own was the start of the Christmas holidays, around a month ago. My mum's Volvo N-reg, with spoiler for going round corners faster. After picking up P-plates, I drove straight to the Ruthven Boulder. It was soaking wet and really cold, so I drove away. Awesome.... I got lost driving around scrouguie but eventually made it to a steep conglomerate wall in the woods. I split a tip here, but my girlfriend was arriving by bus in 10 mins which meant I had to leave anyway, and I could grow skin whilst she was up. Car parks... waahhh.

A few days later, a swift interchange of girlfriend for climbing mate Danny meant I was back climbing. We went cruising round the bouldering hot spots of Jamie Boulder (mini trad climbing), Brin, and Ruthven. Had a wet morning at Duntelchaig followed by a pumping afternoon in the garage... Went to cummingston and got sore skin and a few good ticks.

Jamie Boulder

Returned to finish the scrouguie project... Walk the Dog - Font 7B+, there's a vid on youtube.

Watch out for dogshit here

After Christmas I went on a road trip, first to Aberdeen to check out the sea washed schist. It was really cold with the wind coming of the sea. But once warmed up by running and jumping I had some good fun at portlethen where I was spanked by kayla but did something like Georgie Boy but not entirely sure and I probably cheated. Boltsheugh was next and I found it hard to warm up here until getting on some highballs which got the blood racing. At Cammachmore, it was cold as well but I was keen to try Optimus Prime. It looked good but I couldn't warm up at all really, the wind was awfy cauld ken fit like min .... Aberdonian for cold.... and the best bit about the day was scrambling along the coast and also trying to sneak a rock in Nic Duboust's bag... This time though, surprisingly, he was too attentative! I suppose even Boost couldn't miss Dunford giggling like a 5 year old girl... Clashfaquahar was our final destinatation, I'll remember that day the most I think. A big choppy sea with a pale winter sun milking light down between dark clouds made the wave cut platform an atmospheric place to boulder. Oh Yes. Rock was better and the problems were ace, Clash arete and others.

Stormy at Clashfarquahar

Cammachmore Banter!

Boltsheugh

Back on the road and I wanted to drive to my girlfriends but before long I realised I'd taken a wrong turn and was driving back to Aberdeen. Anyway, I made it, and had New Year in Glasgow. After this I hit the A9 and was back in Inverness for more climbing action.

HNY

Torridon was were I remember going next with Boost. It was a beautiful day and the glen looked stunning as I drove.. up the road... and... into the...verge... and couldn't drive out again. Just as I thought there was no hope a man turned up in his big truck, and out we went with only a flat tyre and a minor bump to the front fog light.... Got to the Ship just as the sun disappeared behind a mountain, and hurray! the bog was frozen solid. Did Squelch, Malcs Arete and the Mission without losing too much skin and was really made up. After Nic ruined Malcs arete ;), we had a great time keeping warm by running around, climbing anything that looked good or was just there in front of you.


Didn't do much climbing after that thanks to all the rock being wet. I even went to the wall. I was even more impressed with myself that night when I managed to hold down 7 pints!! what's going on there?


Anyway, I think having a car is really good. But expensive. And I think im quite a stressful driver. Doesn't really matter right now as I'm not going to get a car whilst at uni.