Climbing in the North West Highlands..

Graham Stein and myself have spent the last few days climbing in the North West Highlands. The weather in the far north has been better than elsewhere in the UK, although still changeable.

On Monday we visited Gruinard Crag north of Ullapool, the rock in this area is generally Lewisian Gneiss, famous for it's positive and sound holds. 'Ueejit' E4 and 'The Big C' HVS, being particularly fine pitches.

Tuesday saw us at Diabaig near Torridon for some more fine routes despite some showers. Graham did a particularly good lead on the blandly named 'Route Three' E1, a much better route than it sounds!

With a good day forecast on Wednesday we walked in to the remote crag, Creag Shomhairle accessed from near Durness. Here we set off up the classic route 'Land of the Dancing Dead' E1, completing most of the route before a prolonged rain storm resulted in an abseil descent.

In need of some "product" we went to the sea cliffs at Reiff, which nearly always guarentee good weather. Here we climbed many excellent routes on coarse Torridonian Sandstone including 'Black Magic' VS and 'Empty on Endorphins' E1 (pictured).

The weather looks mixed for the weekend and early next week in the Peak District, fingers crossed for some breaks in the showers..