The heat wave was set to continue so we headed to the far NW of Scotland and the cooler north facing crags to sample some of the 1000 million year old Torridonian sandstone. Headlong E4 and Culach E5 were the highlights with some thought provoking top outs with Roaring Forties in Amphitheatre Bay quite a mental test on less than perfect rock.
Killer whale!
As the Foehn built in Cham, we headed south for one final trip before Michelle headed back to UK. Little did we know that the Foehn would blow so hard at valley level to lift roofs and take down hundreds on trees.
Italy as usual was superb; coffee, pizza, seafood, gelato, sunshine and of course great rock.
We went to Italy a while back to rock climb at the stunning crag of Arnad. Great coffee, friends, sunshine and rock. What more could you want. Cedric had a long rope so I loaded up with about 25 quick draws, probably my heaviest sports rack ever, and climbed a 60 m pitch up one of the pillars on stunning rock. 
Michelle high on the pillar.
Another good day was had at local crag Pierre a Voix near Sallanches which has this amazing 35 m pillar with a 6b and 6b+.
With a period of poor weather approaching in the mountains it was time to swap skis for rock shoes and visit our backyard boulders. As usual at this time of year the feeling is one of being as weak as a kitten but its early days yet and I’m featherweight after 80 odd days in the mountains this winter so far. With the cooler weather, contact was perfect.
Afterwards we lit the BBQ and had a couple of beers and had the pleasure of meeting Philip’s 80 year old father who was visiting.
Philip in holiday mode after work.
Philip going for the one handed ascent holding a beer.
Beer landed safely.
How come no one told me I am sporting a mullet in the making. Time for a haircut!!
Last rays.
Sunset
Always drink responsibly. Contrary to Scots thinking, beer does not qualify as part of a balanced diet as one of the five a day.
Ross Hewitt Guiding 