Mary's September in Snowmass

While I went gallivanting off to UK on my own,  Mary held the fort here and dived into volunteering. Firstly with Little Buddy Sergio on the High Ropes course in the Lost Forest on Elk Camp right above us.  Then another day with RFOV at Hanging Lake off I.70.

With Sergio.  Do you see the knees trembling ?

Mary's 2nd day volunteering for RFOV on restoration of the Hanging Lake trail

August in Snowmass

 A party at Susan and Mark's.  All home grown produce ( by them ! )

Crooked Creek RFOV wetlands project.  How's this for a place to work for the day.  Volunteering at its very best !

Is she happy  - or not ?

Back not as strong as it was.

A 2 day project this, with a wonderful meal cooked for us in the open tent in the background.

Ryan family visit

270 Meadow Ranch is very quiet the day after their return to Ennis on Aug 1.  A joyous visit it was.

Renting a 7 seater and driving them all Denver to Snowmass.  One excited little boy

Iona, Cormac, Meghan, Angus and Dennis aboard the Georgetown loop steam train

the trestle bridge

the lawn at 270.  Eating outside was an early goal !

In charge ! Top of Asoen Mtn .  Dennis , Meghan and Martha at Opera Scenes Masterclass

Camping at Chapman Lake

Getting an appetite for camp dinner

Drying out on return

Vision of times to come !

Dinner at Wild Fig courtesy of Martha - sans enfants

Back up Aspen Mtn

Grandad trying to pass on basic mountain bike skills to Cormac. Huge success.

An ambitious project which we got away with without incident.  Aspen to Woody Creek via the Rio Grande bike trail

Benedict Music Tent for a concert

Cormac joined us a couple of times for concert rehearsals at tent.  Cycling back to Buttermilk

Heidi shows Cormac and Iona her amazing Lego creation ....

 and their first violin lesson from her.

Outside Paradise Bakery for usual muffin session

Munro bagging - phase 2

start of week 2 and meeting Nicola at Dalwhinnie off train from Newcastle

Cycling in 8 miles or so to Loch Pattack

Nicola on summit of Beinn Bheoil

Our wild camping site ....

... with private swimming pool

Meeting up with my hero James Hawkins. at Inbhirfhaolain, an SMC related hut in lower Glen Etive and ....

...... for a memorable ( and very long ) day in the Glen Etive hills

James near the summit of Stob Coir'an Albannaich looking north east

Munro bagging - phase 1

Made the most of this phenomenal weather. 31 outstanding at start.  14 on conclusion.  Some very long days , but all spectacular ones.  8 days of hiking. 5 nights under canvas. 17 climbed.

Met John and Rod at Roy Bridge after a day in the Laggan hills on my own with help of a bike. Spent night in Roy Bridge Hotel and took early morning train to Corrour. Spent 3 nights camping there 2 of them with John  and Rod. 3 days of hiking in very remote country and the train out in time for a last day with John and Rod in the Glen Nevis area.

Back to Inverness and then at the beginning of the 2nd week I met my niece Nicola off the train at Dalwhinnie and camped with her by Loch Pattack for a couple of remote Munros on each side of Ben Alder.

Then a drive to Glen Etive to meet my friend James Hawkins for a final day in the hills at foot of that glen. Finished in time  to collect Johannes off the train from Mallaig having delivered his charges safely to the night train Fort William to London on conclusion of Knoydart Outward Bounds experience.

Rod and John at Roy Bridge sation

Arriving at Corrour 30 minutes later in time for breakfast at the cafe there

at end of a long 1st day.  Top of Loch Ossian

Puck - and admirable hill companion

Striding out at start of day 2. A;long south side of Loch Ossian.

Looking back to Corrour station - our tents ( if you could see them ) at a spot in the very centre  of the photo

Discarding all clothing and swimming in this divine pool (and lying under the waterfall for a full 15 minutes). Bliss.

Back to tent in time to enjoy this stunning sunset

Loch Ossian very early on the the 3rd morning. Walking that day on my own for 12 hours and doing 3 very remote Munros at east end of Loch Ossian

Looking back to where I've just come from.  John and Rod's train departing from Corrour station ( white dot in distance ) about now.

.... and where I'm heading.

Packing tent to make early train back to Roy Bridge

...... and the walk to catch it !

These next few pics for the benefit of Martha S. Want to start planning a trip for 2019 !

And Martha you can catch the night sleeper from London Euston to this very spot in time for breakfast.  No pancakes though.

Rod and John meeting me in Roy Bridge ..

... and transporting me to one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland - Glen Nevis and then on to .....

......  top of Carn Dearg Mhor looking west to summit of Ben Nevis and its famous northern corries