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!

UK Summer

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.

UK Autumn / Early Winter

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.

Looking forward to 2019

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 Charn
Me descending from Gael Charn
A very snowy Grisedale, Lake District
Looking towards Grisedale and High Street, Lake District
Becky near the start of the Ring of Steall, Scotland
Approaching the first summit on the Ring of Steall, Scotland
Becky on Am Bodach, Ring of Steall, Scotland
Me on Stob Coire a’Chàirn, Ring of Steall, Scotland
Beautiful views towards Loch Laggan while ascending Chno Dearg,
Nearing the summit of Chno Dearg, Scotland
Great views while climbing Beinn Liath Mhòr, Scotland
Becky and Dave on the Beinn Liath Mhor ridge, Scotland
Becky and Dave on Beinn Liath Mhor, Scotland
Amazing views of Torridon while climbing up to Sgorr Ruadh, Scot
Stunning views of all the Toridon hills from Sgorr Ruadh, Scotla
Becky on the summit of Sgor Ruadh in front of the Torridon Hills
Descending from the summit of Sgorr Ruadh in the evening light
Sun on the descent from Moruisg, Scotland
Icy crux to Deep South Gully, Beinn Alligin, Scotland
Looking back down the atmospheric Deep South Gully, Beinn Alligi
Stunning views down Glencoe while on Aonach Eagach, Scotland
Becky on Meall Dearg, Aonach Eagach, Scotland
Us on Meall Dearg in front of the rest of the Aonach Eagach ridg
Becky heading towards the rest of the Aonach Eagach Ridge
Heading off on the long descent from Aonach Eagach with Loch Lin
Becky in front of Loch Tay near the summit of Meall nan Tarmacha
Lovely views on the walk in to Beinn a’Chochuill, Scotland
Great views down Glen Kinglass while climbing Beinn a’Chochuill,
Amazing views of the Cruachan range from Beinn a’Chochuill, Scot
Becky on Beinn a’Chochuill in front of the Glen Etive hills
Becky in front of the Cruachan range while descending from Beinn
Heading back down the ridge towards Beinn Eunaich from Beinn a’C
Looking back towards the Cruachan range and Beinn a’Chochuill
Becky on Beinn a’Chochuill, Scotland
Stunning view of the north face of Lochnagar, Scotland
Becky approaching the summit of Lochnagar, Scotland
Heading into the white expanse of the Lochnagar plateau, Scotlan
The white wilderness of the Lochnagar plateau, Scotland
Us on Carn an t-Sagairt Mor in front of the Northern Cairngorms,
Hot walk up to the Vignettes hut, Switzerland
Dawn light while climbing the Pigne d’Arolla, Switzerland
Hot ascent to the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla, Switzerland
Almost at the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla, Switzerland
On the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla, Switzerland
Descending from the Pigne d’Arolla, Switzerland
Descending from the Pigne d’Arolla, Switzerland
Descending from the Pigne d’Arolla looking towards the Dent Blan
At the start of the Pointe du Prélet ridge, Switzerland
Scrambling on the Pointe du Prélet ridge, Switzerland
Walking up towards Pic d’Artsinol, Switzerland
Stunning views of the Ober Gabelhorn and Dent Blanche from the h
Amazing view of the Dent Blanche from the hut
Dawn view of the Matterhorn, Ober Gabelhorn and the Dent Blanche
On the exposed snow arete on the North ridge of the Zinalrothorn
Adam on the North Ridge of the Zinalrothorn
Nearing the top of the North Ridge, Zinalrothorn, Switzerland
Amazing view of the Dent Blance from the summit of the Zinalroth
Summit Panorama from the Zinalrothorn
Me descending from the Zinalrothorn
Descending the south east ridge of the Zinalrothorn
Becky on the Jegihorn via ferrata In front of the Saas Fee mount
Exposed bridge on the Jegihorn via ferrata, Switzerland
Becky on the Jegihorn via ferrata bridge, Switzerland
Fun climbing after the bridge on the Jegihorn via ferrata, Switz
Summit selfie on the Jegihorn, Switzerland
In front of the Dom on the ascent to the Almagellhorn, Switzerla
Beautiful light on the descent from Offa’s Dyke to Longtown
Walking in the Black Mountains, Wales
Descending towards Lord Hereford’s Knob, Back Mountains, Wales
Looking down the Ogwen valley, Snowdonia, Wales
Westonbirt at the start of Autumn
Looking towards Tryfan from the hut, Snowdonia, Wales
Atmospheric light walking up Cwm Llafar, Snowdonia, Wales
Group photo looking our to Anglesey on Grib Lem, Snowdonia
Summit group shot on Carnedd Dafydd, Snowdonia
Descending towards Carnedd Llewelyn, Snowdonia
Beautiful afternoon light descending from Pen yr Helgi Du, Snowd
Looking towards Capel Curig, Snowdonia
Stunning light in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia
Enjoying the evening fire in the Corrour Bothy, Scotland
Looking up the Lairig Ghru in the morning
Moody weather south from the Devil’s Point, Scotland
On the Devil’s Point in front of the Lairig Ghru, Scotland
Becky in front of the Lairig Ghru, Scotland
Descending back to the Corrour bothy, Scotland
Looking down the Lairig Ghru towards the southern Cairngorms
View towards the Devil’s Point, Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor, S
Us on Carn A’Mhaim, Scotland
Walking up to Burrington Ham, Mendips
Autumnal Colours in the Mendips
Becky and Katherine in front of Burrington Combe, Mendips
Fishing boats on Beer Beach, Devon
Clifton Suspension Bridge at Sunset
Clifton Suspension Bridge in the Blue Hour
Autumnal colours in front of the Llanberis pass, Snowdonia
Stunning autumnal colours from the Llanberis slate quaries, Snow
Autumnal colours south of Beddgelert
Heading up the ridge to Fan Foel, Black Mountain, Wales
Descending next to the dramatic drop down to Llyn y Fan Fach, Bl
Looking over a stormy Lake Michigan, Chicago

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