15 - 17 September - Ben Alder Trip

This was to be the last big walk before the ML assessment. Weather couldn't have been better for practising navigation in adverse weather. We arrived the day the work party had finished a weekend of maintenance so the bothy was in fine condition and we were glad not to have to pitch tents as we arrived in pouring rain and nearly dark. The company was in the form of my dad and wee sister who were also willing (and trusting) guinnea pigs for my belays.

13&14 Sep - Great Glen Challenge

I can't claim this one for myself as my role this weekend was van driver, tea maker and soup warmer. The picture shows the team looking fresh and clean after cycling 100m of the 80 mile journey. 2 days later and they were not so fresh or clean but proud at having completed the journey which is a great weekend challenge.

20 & 21 August - Aonach Eagach

Team Challenge - The Outdoor Ed team head off for a bit of (rest and relaxation) after a busy summer season.

14 & 15 August - Monadh Liadh Mountains

Ally and Ali doing an impression of drowned rats during Ali's ML shakedown trip in August. On top of the summit of Carn Dearg.

13 &14 July More Ochil Adventures

It's been a while since the last time and there is no excuse other than being busy, busy. I also had my excellent and small waterproof camera stolen on holiday so it is harder to get photos out and about.

Anyway, here is the latest trip up in the Ochils. The adventurers were myself and nephew Tom. I like the photo of Alva Glen. If you let your imagination go a bit wild you could be looking at the high Andes with Machu Picu just round the corner.
We camped about at about 400m which gave us superb views over the Forth valley. Saturday's walk took us over Ben Buck and Ben Cleuch amongst others and finished with a leg burning descent to Castle Campbell.

Another great Ochils trip but as the ML assessment approaches watch out for the bar to be raised and see some Munroes being conquered.

11 May - Mountaineers

We had a big disappointment on Saturday as we headed north for the first camp trip of the season. 5 miles short of Blair Atholl, our destination, the car came to a very abrupt halt and refused to go any further. We were sat at the side of the road when we should have been exploring, biking and walking. The only good thing was it wasn't raining.
The mechanic arrived and the casr was going no-where soon. Full marks to green flag who had us loaded up and back home within 2 hrs. Has that ever happened to you? There seems to be something really embarressing about arriving back in the village on the back of a tow truck. The disappointment was soon forgotten as we set off for bowling and a McDonalds (that sorted it for the kids anyway)

Back to the outdoors bit. Sunday, we headed up to Dollar, one of our favourite local spots. We walked from the town to the west side of the Glen. we reached Castle Campbell after a bit over an hour. We planned to do a small loop above the castle but it was one of those days that the girls had spotted a hill and decided they were going to get to the top. I shouldn't be surprised but to be fair there is often a fair bit of complaining. Today they practically ran up and made it to the top of Bank Hill, fantastic. The trip down was great; icecream and a look round the castle, rolling down the hill and counting bugs.

28 April - More Ochils Adventures

I dragged my dad out on a very wet day to head into our local hills and practise some navigation, timing, pacing (all that stuff they are going to throw at you on the ML assessment). He is the only person I thought wouldn't complain with wondering around the hills with no specific purpose other than finding streams, cairns and trig points. Bill if you are reading this I remember you writing recently how much you had enjoyed getting back out into your local area and rediscovering it. I have really enjoyed a few trips into the Ochils recently (again today with the girls that will appear in a blog soon). They are not the highest or grandest hills but there is something about them being on your doorstep and often with access through picturesque areas like Dollar Glen.