Canyoning today with The Young Carers Adventure Project

Another fantastic day for the North Argyll Young Carers Adventure Project. We took them Canyoning, which we had been building them up to achieving over the previous 9 sessions. Everyone had a ball sliding, jumping, swimming and crawling down the canyon.

Hebridean Pursuits Ltd founded the project to enable young carers a chance to experience time amongst themselves and enable them to meet up away from the pressures of home and caring for family members. One of the girls today specifically made massive strides in her self confidence and achieved much more than she or we ever expected! A fabulous trip in some amazing landscape.

Introduction to Kayaking in Loch Melfort today

Today Oban Adventure Activities introduced the Finlayson Family to kayaking in Loch Melfort. The weather again was amazing and the conditions superb for their first try at this amazing sport.
The wind picked up a wee bit making for an exciting paddle back to the jetty.
The Loch Melfort Hotel is wonderfully situated and the cafe and bistro is excellent.

www.obanadventureactivities.com offers locals and holiday makers a chance to enjoy and experience local outdoor adventures near to Oban.

Superb West Coast of Scotland weather continues!

I spent the weekend down on the Loch Sween Peninsula. The tropical conditions continued but the wind on Saturday blew up to around a force 5 absolutly Ideal for sailing off Jura though!

The area down there is very remote and consequently quiet and unspoilt. Tayvalich and Carsiag bay make for great days out. Loch Sween itself is broken into smaller thinner lochs and shelter can be found easily. With historic monuments and pre-historic mounds and standing stones the area has something for every intrest. Today Oban Adventure Activities are kayaking near Loch Melfort and the sun is out again!

Team Building Day for Atlantis Leisure's Centre Staff.

Today I was working with some of the senior staff from Atlantis Leisure Centre in Oban.

It was another fantsatic west coast day, really hot, warm seas, a nice wee swell and a great bunch of folk to work with which all added up to a fabulous Coasteering journey.

Recent Landscapes.

It has been a beautiful month, full of contrasts with the weather and the light which has been so painterly.
Here are a few landscapes from this month I have taken in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Scotland. Sometimes the being there is enough.

 Fiezor Nick.

 Carn Mor Dearg.

 Loch Morlich. Cairngorms.

 Ennerdale.

Ilkley Crag.

5 Day Rock Climbing Tour this week.

I was climbing with Adrian this week on a mystery tour of Yorkshire and the Lake District.
The weather was really kind to us and as Adrian had never been to any of the venues it was a fantastic experience for us both. We climbed 26 routes in five days and ticked off two of the Lakes Classic Rock Climbs, Murry's Route on Dow Crag and New West Climb on Pillar Rock. We climbed at Ilkley, Attermire Scar, Fiezor Nick, Twistelton Scar and at Oxenber Scar.  

We climbed a variety of grades from Diff to Hvs on both Limestone, Grit stone and lakes volcanic rock. A fabulous few days climbing.

Oban Adventure Activities go kayaking today.

Today I was working with Anne and Rhys aged 7 on a morning session of kayaking near Oban. They are up on Holiday and have a great time exploring the local sites
Rhys had never been in a kayak so the task was to find some sheltered water to introduce him to the skills. We found some and we had a great time learning new skills and playing games.

www.obanadvnetureactivities.com offers fun sessions for all ages and abilities in the Oban area. It's a great way of experiencing the Oban area and proceeds go the the Roses Charitable Trust which raises money for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience the outdoor experience first hand on residential breaks at Tavool House Outdoor Centre on Mull. For more information please call 01631720002.

Beinn Ghlas hills today.

Today Hebridean Pursuits were working with the young people from the North Argyll Young Carers Adventure Project. We ascended the fine hill of Beinn Ghlas above Glen Lonan. The views were spectacular towards Ben Cruachan and down to Jura. This was day 8 of their project which is a full on 10 days of adventure activities.

In  July the group will attend a residential at Tavool House and spend a week taking part in some more challenging outdoor activities building on what they have learnt on the project days. 

Open Boating Adventures in the Cairngorms

This weekend has been calm and beautifully still in the Cairngorms so Canadian Canoeing was the order of the days. Snow sits on the summits and the sun shone for three days, what a combination for anyone out doing adventuous things.
Mark and I explored various lochs and small streams in the Strath. Being outside in Scotland wins again.

Carn Mor Dearg in 'Alpine Conditions'.

Today was just beautiful in the Scottish mountains. The air quality was superb and the snow that remains was pristine white. A truly Alpine day! I was out with Gill on Carn Mor Dearg and it was a different world compared to last Wednesday. Big smile all round today.
The North face of the Ben looked stunning but we heard allot of rock fall, the gullies look enticing but the snow at 1100m was very soggy and heavy going.