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Welcome to my blog

I don't always write a blog, and indeed some of the companies I work for as a freelancer specifically insist that I don't, but I do occasionally like to put my thoughts and trips into words for posterity, by way of a wee diary, and also an illustration of what I get up to with folks. I do hope you find it interesting, and would welcome any feedback or comments.
The best way to search my Archive to see if anything is of interest to you is to type into Google 'johnnywalker.co.uk', then a space, then your query, e.g. 'Arrochar', and you will get a selection of pages and blogs

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Jon Baggins takes his team to Mordor (a.k.a. Skye)

21/5/2017

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I have just spent a very enjoyable couple of days in the company of a great group of fellas on their inaugural trip to Skye. They had been pulled together by an old boss of mine Jon, and the remit was for an introduction to the island's hills, so what better than Bruach na Frithe and Blaven? The forecast was for a good day on Friday, sunny and only light winds, but wetter and claggier on Saturday, so I opted for Bruach na Frithe first. This is a hill that gives a fabulous view point over the rest of the Black Cuillin ridge that keep improving with height, and taken by the North ridge gives ample opportunity for easy, escapable scrambling. None of the guys were particularly experienced, and indeed a couple were not keen on exposure, so this fitted the bill ideally.
 
We set off from the car park at the head of Glen Brittle which was already all but full with the hordes of folks that now visit the Fairy Pools - VisitScotland have done one heck of a job promoting this and other destinations on Skye over the last few years, and I only hope some of the revenue that is obviously pouring in can get spent on infrastructure, as the pressure of so many folks is starting to tell in my opinion. Once a few metres away from the new wide path, things reverted to a more normal, quiet path which works its way up to the Bealach a'Mhaim, the high point between glens Brittle and Sligachan.
 
It would be fair to say that it is a bit of a relentless slog once off the path, and a couple of the guys didn't particularly enjoy that, but we were soon onto more interesting terrain as the ridge narrowed, and the concentration required at making good foot placements always seems to make you forget the effort. I covered all the aspects of efficient and safe movement over the loose rock, and then some basic tips on safe scrambling as we picked our way up the ridge. The views were getting ever more grand, and Ian and Ed, (our two professional photographers) were in their element. Even the more nervous folks were growing in confidence as we tackled a more ambitious route than that of the easier loose path that runs to the west of the crest. Indeed, some folks on their descent remarked light-heartedly that we were making it harder for ourselves, but I replied that it was more fun, to almost unanimous support from the team ;)
 
Finally, after some lovely airy but easy scrambling, we made the summit at 958m, and simply wonderful views all around. After a pose on the trig point, I sat for a sandwich to allow the guys to take it all in, and a great deal of photos were snapped. The route down was via a view point over the impressive Basteir Tooth, and we stopped to chat with a chap and his guide who had just abseiled off it down King's Cave Chimney.....maybe next time guys eh? ;) We then just sauntered down the Fionn Coire in the sunshine, occasionally having to wait for the photographers, particularly when they tried to coax a frog into posing for quite some time! The guys at the front and I sat waiting on the picnic benches at the car park, happy and content with our day out, looking up at the ridge, and not in any hurry, but were rudely awakened from our reverie - The dreaded midges were out! Not a lot I grant you, but enough to chase us to the cars. Drat. Only one thing for it then...the Old Inn at Carbost for some well-earned Skye Gold.
 
Saturday morning was damp and drizzly, with no wind, so we knew we had to be sharpish around the car when getting sorted, or the little blighters would have us again. We saw a makeshift overnight camp with a landrover and a tapaulin, and can only imagine what kind of night the occupants must have had. The next wee challenge was that it was quite muggy, so temperature control within your clothing was nigh-on impossible, and I regretted not having a long sleeved base layer on as my arms and clammy waterproof touched. Actually, as the day wore on and we got into our stride, this ceased to be a problem, but it's always unpleasant to start the day.
 
Our objective was Blaven, (or Bla Bheinn), the Blue Mountain, the only one of the Skye munros not part of the main ridge, where there are a further 11. It has spectacular views of the main ridge, and particularly the splendid Pinnacle Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean, but it wouldn't have today. The guys joked that it was like walking into Mordor, and various of them had been given character names. Gimli in particular was caught by the swirling cloud and ever-changing light. The route has had a good deal of work done on the eroded path, but is still characterised by a lot of loose scree and angular boulders, and care must be taken to not slip or dislodge things.
 
I prefer a shallow gully scramble up the steepest part of the route instead of the 'path' that is horribly eroded and dangerous in my opinion, and the team negotiated it with aplomb. They had fully embraced my 'ninja' movement on loose stuff, and not once was anything dislodged, which was credit to them. At the top of this there is a fairly clear path along the impressive rocky edge that negotiates deep and brooding chasms as it rises to the summit, with just one more bit of scrambling.
 
As we expected, the summit was totally clagged-in, so there were no views, but still a palpable sense of satisfaction as the summit photos were taken.  For most it was only their second munro, and the two days had given a real taster of the contrasting conditions to be found in Scotland. We descended the same way, and again, the gully was handled like pros. We split up after the wee burn crossing as the photographers wanted to make the most of the improving light, and the advance party made our way to the Gabbro Bar at the Broadford hotel to sample what else....Blaven ale.
 
Often a group of mixed abilities and experience can be a challenge to cater for, both in terms of length of route chosen and technicality, particularly on such complex terrain as Skye. Jon's team of Ed, Andy, Phil, Roger and Ian had such a positive and upbeat approach that my job was made easy, and I thoroughly enjoyed helping them to develop their confidence and skill on the rock, as well as soaking up all that the island has to offer.
 
Thanks a lot gents, and absolute pleasure to have made your acquaintance.

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Yorkshire Three Peaks

14/5/2017

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I made an unusual foray South of the border last Thursday, to join Paul and Warren in a march around the Yorkshire Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. They were done in an anti-clockwise romp, starting and finishing at the lovely Horton-in-Ribblesdale, in nigh on perfect weather. It was sunny all day, but with a cooling Southerly wind, and the driest of conditions underfoot.

We set off at 07:15, and were soon on the summit of Pen-y-ghent, as the footpaths in this area are fabulous, especially in the dry, so progress is swift. 12 hours is the benchmark time, and one required to be invited to join the Y3P club, but we were aiming for 8. This is possible if you keep a decent pace, don't rest too much, and have good conditions, but does require a fair old pace. Warren and Paul have long legs and quite a stride, whereas I have short legs, so on the flatter sections I was all but jogging to keep up with them. I prefer the ascents, and enjoyed these immensely as I sweated up them.

We cut across Horton Moor on the older Y3P route, as it was so dry the bog caused us no issues, and met Mark at Ribblehead, who had brought a water top-up, which was most welcome. He has done the round before, so was just joining us for a section. After a photo and a discussion on the route, we then traipsed Eastwards on the path which brings you up Whernside from the East, much to my chagrin - As mentioned above, I prefer a more direct, steeper route, and after checking it on my mapping software later, we would have saved ourselves 2.5k and 30 minutes had we done so, quite a bit when you are doing such a tramp! Ah well, it was group decision, so I had to concede to the guys' local experience at the time, but grrrrr....... ;)

We flew down the path to Chapel-le-Dale, but I started to suffer from jogger's nipple, and we had to allow me the time to apply some rather inelegant dressings to prevent this very inconvenient complaint. Most sore! It was then into my element, with a climb up the steep path to Ingleborough, where we completed the ascents.

We bade farewell to Mark at Simon Fell as he went back to his car, and we walked SE on a rather rougher path towards Horton. I ran out of water as we descended, but we maintained a sharp pace right until the village, despite our sore feet and tired legs. We came in in a respectable 7hrs and 20mins. It would of course have been 6hrs and 50 mins had we gone my way, but....... ;)

A great day out in fantastic weather. Well done to my partners Paul, Warren and Mark.
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The Wonderful North West

10/5/2017

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A fabulous few days working In Assynt and Coigach for Steven Fallon Mountain Guides. Full blog at www.stevenfallon.co.uk/blog
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A Rum do......

2/5/2017

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A beautiful but windy weekend working for Steven Fallon Mountain Guides on the Isle of Rum this weekend. Full blog at www.stevenfallon.co.uk/blog
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