Focus Mountaineering

Andy, Bill, Danny and Derek continued working with the Dutch army guys this week out of Kinlochleven. A much ‘greener’ week where the troops were dropped off at a number of sites by Spean Bridge/Roy Bridge area and given 3 days to make it back to Kinlochleven undetected with the attached mountaineering instructors keeping a watchful eye on the teams’ safety. Another superb few days on the West Coast has left the visitors with a great experience in unusual terrain and, more importantly, heading home with impressive sun tans (and maybe a few midge bites). Thanks to Danny for the photos.

Where is everyone? I made a quick one day dash to Skye yesterday to guide Terry on her last Skye Munros. We made excellent progress from the Sligachan to the col between Am Basteir and Sgur nan Gillean and were yet again treated to clear summits all to ourselves. We only bumped into a few teams on the hills and the campsite site and pub were pretty empty. Surely everyone isn’t stuck inside glued to the football? Well done Terry – they’re in the bag now.

I’ve been based on the West Coast this week working with a large group from the Dutch Army who have come over to experience some proper mountains (the highest point in the Netherlands is only 322m above sea level). Focus Mountaineering has been hired in a consultancy role to ensure their plans are safe and then provide mountaineering instructors to look after them on the hill. With high pressure established, the troops have seen Lochaber at its best with walks around The Mamore Forest, Ben Nevis Summit and scrambles on the Ring of Steall and in Glencoe. Next week looks a bit more interesting for them…