Looking back over 2018 it is safe to say that photographically it was a year dominated by snow for me. In the UK we had an exceptional winter which just went on and on, combined with my summer of road cycling which resulted in very few photographs and then an alpine summer which resulted in more snowy photographs.
UK Winter
Our winter in the UK started with a weekend trip up to Scotland to see some of our friends before they departed to New Zealand for 2 years. We had an enjoyable day walking before a day hiding from the weather.
We then were able to make the most of the excellent winter by getting some winter walking done in the Lake District on the Avon Mountaineering Club’s annual winter Lakes trip. Unfortunately due to the quantity of snow it was not possible to climb, but it was certainly a beautiful day.
It was then time for the annual AMC trip to Scotland. This year was the first time the AMC went to Torridon for a week. The week of the trip happened to coincide with the beast from the east, but bizarrely we seemed to be in the only part of the country which wasn’t being covered in snow. We had good but exceedingly cold weather.
On the way up to the trip Becky and I stopped off near Fort William and had an excellent day on the Ring of Steall and Chno Dearg. The conditions were very unusual with snow to a reasonably low level which was entirely neve, this made for an interesting descent from the Ring of Steall as it was getting dark.
After we moved up to Torridon the excellent conditions continued, and we had some more brilliant days out. The first day had some of the best views I have ever experienced in Scotland.
The AMC trip was meant to be our last winter trip of the year, before heading to the Anti Atlas in Morocco to do some warm rock climbing. However due to a shoulder injury which was being unfortunately persistent we had to abort that plan. As winter was still in full force in Scotland we headed back up for 9 days in the van.
On this trip we made the most of where the best conditions were, by driving around Scotland in hunt of good conditions. For the most part we were very successful and we had some great days out. It was very strange (but enjoyable) being up in Scotland doing winter mountaineering after the clocks had gone forwards, as it meant that we didn’t need early starts, and didn’t need to worry about it getting dark by 5pm!
Due to the persistent winter we didn’t get out as much in spring as we would have done usually. After the non existent spring summer suddenly turned up and provided one of the best summers I can remember. I made the most of this by getting out on my bike as much as I could, which resulted in a lack of photos due to my lightweight approach while cycling.
My summer of cycling came to a sudden end in July while I was attempting to cycle from Caernarfon to Chepstow in a day. Unfortunately half way through the day I injured my knee which resulted in my being unable to continue, and having to be rescued by Becky from the middle of Wales.
Summer Alps
We had a great trip to the alps despite the weather being a bit frustrating at times, and being evacuated from a campsite due to a landslide. We started off in Arolla before moving over to the Saas valley. The highlight of the trip for me was traversing the Zinalrothorn with Adam.
Having returned from the Alps we spent a number of weekends in North Wales. The first trip was to take part in a BMC course to learn how to teach novices, the second was a catch up with my university friends from the Expedition Society and the final time was on the AMC autumn trip to North Wales.
We also managed to fit in a long weekend to Scotland where we went backpacking. Unfortunately we were not able to complete our planned loop due to the weather deteriorating, but it was wonderful to see Scotland in Autumn colours.
We also managed some trips out closer to home, with walks in the Mendip Hills and the Black Mountain. I have also been getting back into photography, so have been trying to get out with my camera as much as possible.
2019 looks set to be an excellent year. All of my holiday is already planned, and they are very weighted towards the first half of the year with only 2 days of holiday between August and December!
As usual we have a number of trips to Scotland in the diary, a summer alpine trip. This year I have also got a week of ski touring booked which I am looking forward to.
Becky climbing Gael CharnMe descending from Gael CharnA very snowy Grisedale, Lake DistrictLooking towards Grisedale and High Street, Lake DistrictBecky near the start of the Ring of Steall, ScotlandApproaching the first summit on the Ring of Steall, ScotlandBecky on Am Bodach, Ring of Steall, ScotlandMe on Stob Coire a’Chàirn, Ring of Steall, ScotlandBeautiful views towards Loch Laggan while ascending Chno Dearg,Nearing the summit of Chno Dearg, ScotlandGreat views while climbing Beinn Liath Mhòr, ScotlandBecky and Dave on the Beinn Liath Mhor ridge, ScotlandBecky and Dave on Beinn Liath Mhor, ScotlandAmazing views of Torridon while climbing up to Sgorr Ruadh, ScotStunning views of all the Toridon hills from Sgorr Ruadh, ScotlaBecky on the summit of Sgor Ruadh in front of the Torridon HillsDescending from the summit of Sgorr Ruadh in the evening lightSun on the descent from Moruisg, ScotlandIcy crux to Deep South Gully, Beinn Alligin, ScotlandLooking back down the atmospheric Deep South Gully, Beinn AlligiStunning views down Glencoe while on Aonach Eagach, ScotlandBecky on Meall Dearg, Aonach Eagach, ScotlandUs on Meall Dearg in front of the rest of the Aonach Eagach ridgBecky heading towards the rest of the Aonach Eagach RidgeHeading off on the long descent from Aonach Eagach with Loch LinBecky in front of Loch Tay near the summit of Meall nan TarmachaLovely views on the walk in to Beinn a’Chochuill, ScotlandGreat views down Glen Kinglass while climbing Beinn a’Chochuill,Amazing views of the Cruachan range from Beinn a’Chochuill, ScotBecky on Beinn a’Chochuill in front of the Glen Etive hillsBecky in front of the Cruachan range while descending from BeinnHeading back down the ridge towards Beinn Eunaich from Beinn a’CLooking back towards the Cruachan range and Beinn a’ChochuillBecky on Beinn a’Chochuill, ScotlandStunning view of the north face of Lochnagar, ScotlandBecky approaching the summit of Lochnagar, ScotlandHeading into the white expanse of the Lochnagar plateau, ScotlanThe white wilderness of the Lochnagar plateau, ScotlandUs on Carn an t-Sagairt Mor in front of the Northern Cairngorms,Hot walk up to the Vignettes hut, SwitzerlandDawn light while climbing the Pigne d’Arolla, SwitzerlandHot ascent to the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla, SwitzerlandAlmost at the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla, SwitzerlandOn the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla, SwitzerlandDescending from the Pigne d’Arolla, SwitzerlandDescending from the Pigne d’Arolla, SwitzerlandDescending from the Pigne d’Arolla looking towards the Dent BlanAt the start of the Pointe du Prélet ridge, SwitzerlandScrambling on the Pointe du Prélet ridge, SwitzerlandWalking up towards Pic d’Artsinol, SwitzerlandStunning views of the Ober Gabelhorn and Dent Blanche from the hAmazing view of the Dent Blanche from the hutDawn view of the Matterhorn, Ober Gabelhorn and the Dent BlancheOn the exposed snow arete on the North ridge of the ZinalrothornAdam on the North Ridge of the ZinalrothornNearing the top of the North Ridge, Zinalrothorn, SwitzerlandAmazing view of the Dent Blance from the summit of the ZinalrothSummit Panorama from the ZinalrothornMe descending from the ZinalrothornDescending the south east ridge of the ZinalrothornBecky on the Jegihorn via ferrata In front of the Saas Fee mountExposed bridge on the Jegihorn via ferrata, SwitzerlandBecky on the Jegihorn via ferrata bridge, SwitzerlandFun climbing after the bridge on the Jegihorn via ferrata, SwitzSummit selfie on the Jegihorn, SwitzerlandIn front of the Dom on the ascent to the Almagellhorn, SwitzerlaBeautiful light on the descent from Offa’s Dyke to LongtownWalking in the Black Mountains, WalesDescending towards Lord Hereford’s Knob, Back Mountains, WalesLooking down the Ogwen valley, Snowdonia, WalesWestonbirt at the start of AutumnLooking towards Tryfan from the hut, Snowdonia, WalesAtmospheric light walking up Cwm Llafar, Snowdonia, WalesGroup photo looking our to Anglesey on Grib Lem, SnowdoniaSummit group shot on Carnedd Dafydd, SnowdoniaDescending towards Carnedd Llewelyn, SnowdoniaBeautiful afternoon light descending from Pen yr Helgi Du, SnowdLooking towards Capel Curig, SnowdoniaStunning light in the Ogwen Valley, SnowdoniaEnjoying the evening fire in the Corrour Bothy, ScotlandLooking up the Lairig Ghru in the morningMoody weather south from the Devil’s Point, ScotlandOn the Devil’s Point in front of the Lairig Ghru, ScotlandBecky in front of the Lairig Ghru, ScotlandDescending back to the Corrour bothy, ScotlandLooking down the Lairig Ghru towards the southern CairngormsView towards the Devil’s Point, Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor, SUs on Carn A’Mhaim, ScotlandWalking up to Burrington Ham, MendipsAutumnal Colours in the MendipsBecky and Katherine in front of Burrington Combe, MendipsFishing boats on Beer Beach, DevonClifton Suspension Bridge at SunsetClifton Suspension Bridge in the Blue HourAutumnal colours in front of the Llanberis pass, SnowdoniaStunning autumnal colours from the Llanberis slate quaries, SnowAutumnal colours south of BeddgelertHeading up the ridge to Fan Foel, Black Mountain, WalesDescending next to the dramatic drop down to Llyn y Fan Fach, BlLooking over a stormy Lake Michigan, Chicago
Great photos! I was just wondering what camera(s) you used? Is it a compact or DSLR?
At the start of the year I used a Panasonic LX100, and I have now changed to a Fuji mirrorless system