Joe and I went East in search of dry rock today. Neither of us had been to Duntelchaig which is just South of Inverness and holds some great rock climbs in a stunning location. The style here is steep and powerful, mostly climbing prominent crack lines. This meant my arms got spanked on every route we climbed so although it was a great day out I’ll take blank face climbing any day! We got ‘warmed up’ on Inaccessible Crack Direct (HVS,5b) before Joe dispatched the crux of Monolith Recess (E2,5b), we finished off on Little Drummer Boy Direct / Drumstick (E1,5b) which needs a really good clean. Dry and breezy over East which was a nice change to the continuous damp and humid conditions in Lochaber.

Staring up P1 Inaccessibly Crack Direct: arms failing fast….

Joe enjoying the first of Inaccessible Crack Direct

P1 Monolith Recess

Getting stuck into P2 of Monolith Recess

Steep moves on the crux of Monolith Recess

P1 Little Drummer Boy / Drumstick

There is allot of heather about at Duntelchaig, routes need traffic

P2 of Little Drummer Boy / Drumstick – bold and dirty, not a great combination!