Summer has definitely hit Scotland in the last few weeks though as I write this I think that might have changed!  Have had some great adventures here and there – the trouble with living in Fort William is there is just so much good stuff around its hard to go further afield.  It does of course help that Lochaber has had some stunning weather recently.  First up this month I met Tim rather late in the day in Fort William and went for a quick blast up the Ben.
Tim on a rather misty “Observatory Ridge”
Tim on the Crux of Observatory Ridge – this was the first section I recognized from a winter ascent of the ridge a few months ago.
 A week or so later Hannah, Laura, Tim and myself headed to one of my favourite mountains, Garbh Bheinn (Ardgour).  Above – Tim leading the first pitch or “Golden Lance” and Hannah (to the right) leading the second pitch of “Butterknife”
Laura high above the clouds on the third pitch of “Butterknife”
On the summit!  Surprising that Tim and I are smiling after the route proving to be somewhat more difficult than the grade suggested.  I dont know if I’ve ever fallen off every pitch of a route!

The next day we headed to Ardnamurchan chasing the good weather.
Mark on “Star Wars”
Tim on the start of the slabby section of “Return of the Jedi”
Mark fiddling in some rubbish gear on Dome buttress
End of the day – Hannah finishing up “Krackatoa”
The fact that I have been working a lot is not really a bad thing!  An average night on the island enjoying the good weather.
Tim, Laura and Hannah in the back of the van after a days climbing.
Another great sunset from just outside my bedroom!