Following an early alarm, I take the underground to Kings Cross, a train for six hours to Glasgow and then hire a car (from the ridiculously friendly staff at Enterprise) for the final three hour stretch to Fort William. Despite a police crash investigation which delays the journey for around half an hour, it’s a relatively pain-free journey to the UK’s capital of outdoor activities. The weather is outstanding, so it’s particularly pleasant to drive through the beautiful highlands and along Glen Coe.

It’s a four-day trip to Scotland with Susanne, to learn some mountaineering skills and get a bit of practice ahead of this year’s main climbing holiday in July. Having bought a few climbing tools, I’m keen to figure out how they work!

Fort William is much smaller than I expected, but it sits on the loch quite perfectly, especially as the sun sets over the mountains in the west. There are plenty of trekkers wandering around, but there are also a huge number of people on their way to the local pubs. For such a small and remote place, it seems to have quite a drinking culture. That said, with the choice of whiskies they have here, it’s not entirely surprising! An indian meal (not great) and an early night sets me up for tomorrow’s adventures.

DAY 2 (23 APRIL 2011)
FORT WILLIAM, GLEN COE, BUACHAILLE ETIVE MÒR

At 08.00 we meet Alan Kimber, a friendly Englishman who has lived in Fort William for over 40 years. Coincidentally, his name is also on the front of our mountain guidebook, so it appears we’ve found the right chap to lead us up the mountains!

Based on the weather forecast, he suggests a plan for the next couple of days. Due to the rather mischievous outlook today, it’s decided to leave Ben Nevis for Sunday, and tackle another peak today. After a 30 minute drive, we reach the base of Buachaille Etive Mòr, one of the popular mountains in Glen Coe, due its varied routes and pyramid-like shape.

I decide to climb with all my photo gear, as I’d like to test out what I don’t need, and (more importantly) what I’d struggle to carry on harder routes. With a misty fog surrounding the mountain, we start the ascent.

A simple uphill trek brings us around the north edge of the mountain, and at the base of the Curved Ridge route. From a technical point of view, it’s easier than any of the indoor bouldering I’ve done recently. However, it’s still pretty steep and the thought of slipping is always at the back of my mind. It means concentration levels need to be high, especially as some of the rocks are wet and slippery.

Alan reels off advice throughout the day; even the most simple and obvious advice is really useful, as it’s all about using as little energy as possible to complete the route. The various rope techniques are particularly interesting, and I’m keen on making sure I get this right: Whilst this is not a technically challenging route, there are several points where a fall would be lethal. It plays at the back of my mind, but it also spurs me on.

Since we’re all connected by rope, it’s important to keep up the momentum, so there are few points that allow me to take out my camera gear. I’m conscious that I’m carrying about 6kg of unnecessary camera equipment, so even though it’s weighing me down a bit, it’s a great lesson learned.

After a few hours, we reach the summit and I celebrate with a Yorkie bar and a jump photo! The clouds also start to shift a little, so even though the weather isn’t fantastic, it allows me to see the base of the mountain and the route that I’ve just climbed, which is highly satisfying.

We trek down the easier ‘tourist’ route and return to Fort William, where Susanne and I are lucky enough to book a table at the Lime Tree, which has a varied selection of well-prepared food. However, we’re practically falling asleep at the table, so we quickly make our way back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.

DAYS 3-4 (24-25 APRIL 2011)
FORT WILLIAM, BEN NEVIS, ONICH

I certainly feel yesterday’s efforts in my legs, but I’m truly excited about today’s climb. At 08.00 we meet Alan again and he describes the Tower Gully route that we’re going to attempt today on Ben Nevis. It’s on the north face so there should be loads of snow and plenty of opportunities to learn some mountaineering skills on snow and ice.

We drive to the base of the UK’s highest mountain, and the clouds hover around the towers. It looks rather moody, but this only increases my excitement. Setting off, I’ve replaced a number of camera lenses with extra climbing equipment. It really adds up and it’s suddenly so obvious why the lighter gear is so much more valuable.

I’m testing my new mountaineering boots, which actually aren’t made for this kind of climb, but I want to try them out a few times before I take them to higher altitudes. They’re comfortable, but clearly not designed for walking on rocky terrain, so I find the going quite tough for the first couple of hours. Fortunately, we soon hit snow and from there on it’s like having a mini massage each step I take!

Before the climb gets too steep, Alan teaches us how to perform a self-arrest with an ice axe. It’s the skill required to stop yourself if you slip on snow or ice, and start sliding down the mountain. Of course, you could find yourself flying down on your front or back, or even head first, so there are a number of scenarios that we need to learn. Whilst it’s not something I want to do for real, it is extremely good fun to practice!!

Further up the mountain, there are patches of ice which require some grade II climbing. Like yesterday, it’s not particularly challenging, but a fall would still be serious. It’s perfect practice for me and once again it’s hugely satisfying to look down on a section I’ve just climbed.

As we’re half way up, I suddenly hear a huge roar behind me. It starts like a rumble of a double bass, and then it breaks up, like a crashing of instruments falling down the mountain. It seems as if the avalanche has fallen right where we were climbing only minutes earlier, so it’s a perfect example of how careful (and lucky) climbers need to be.

The final stretch is up through Tower Gully. The snow is thick but Alan assesses the avalanche possibility and feels it’s safe enough to continue. I plunge my ice axe into the snow and it’s unbelievable how much easier it makes the climb. As I climb over the cornice, I look over my shoulder and can barely believe what I’ve achieved. In the other direction, it’s quite funny to see loads of other people stroll by on the tourist path, some of whom are just wearing shorts and basic trainers!

After a quick jump photo, we walk the final 100m to the summit and once again I celebrate with a Yorkie bar (this could be the start of something special!) Unfortunately the weather still hasn’t shifted the clouds, so there’s nothing to see as far as a view is concerned, so we take off most of our gear and start heading down the tourist path. It’s little more than a walk, but it’s quite tough on my feet due to my big boots, so I’m pleased to cross a soft, soggy marshland back back to our starting point on the north side.

I look back at Ben Nevis with a great sense of achievement; I’ve learned lots of new skills, learned loads about what things I shouldn’t take mountaineering (definitely not my 100-400mm lens!), but more importantly, I’ve had an absolutely fantastic time doing so. I’m already looking forward to the next mountain!

Dinner is at the most acclaimed restaurant in the area (Loch Leven Seafood Cafe), which is hidden down a rural side road near Onich. The food is great, but once again I’m absolutely shattered so it’s yet another early night.

The drive back to Glasgow on Easter Monday is a fantastic way to end the trip: Since the weather has picked up, we get some great views of the Highland mountains, which are practically begging me to climb them in the near future!

Special thanks to Alan Kimber for his guiding and for taking a few of the photos whilst climbing. I thoroughly recommend his company, which can be found here: www.westcoast-mountainguides.co.uk

Less than a month ago I went to Scotland for a weekend of highly-energetic mountain biking. I love Scotland; it’s one of my favourite countries. Better still, when the sun is strong, the amazing history and architecture is impossible to ignore. However, this weekend’s trip is slightly different: It’s my mate’s stag-do and the best man doesn’t have much sight-seeing on the agenda.

It’s entertaining watching the stag get completely hammered: The highlights being when he threw his pint of beer on the floor “when no one was looking”, his pathetic attempts to act sober when getting into clubs, stumbling into the staff room of a bar (thinking it was a toilet) and (best of all) trying to open a door which turned out to be a mirror.

The next morning we soak up the alcohol with a Scottish breaky and then head 90 minutes north to Ballinluig for some white-water rafting along the River Tummel. It’s all good and Tom even manages to raise a smile when I drag him into the river…

The day ends with more drinking and the ‘obligatory’ visit to a strip bar. Tom seems to enjoy his private dance but then two girls start doing some ‘stuff’ on the bar, which I can’t even begin to describe; we don’t know whether to be turned on or throw up!

The following photos are from the white-water rafting official photographer, including Rob’s awesome leap (4th photo), me showing how not to hold a paddle (3rd photo) and my skull-crushing headbutt on the Grade 4 rapid (10th photo)!!

Half an hour on the tube, over three hours on a train and two hours in a car, yet the journey had only just begun. I’m in Scotland for a long weekend with a mate from school and we’re tackling two of the 7stanes.

I ride to work nearly every day nowadays, which is an 18km round trip through the busy streets of London. I’ve learned to become fearless of bendy buses and zombie pedestrians stepping out into the middle of the road, whilst weaving through the traffic, in order to dart through the amber lights in the morning rush hour.

However, London isn’t renowned for its mountainous terrain, so when we arrive at Mabie, in Southwest Scotland, I’m surprised how much of a challenge mountain biking can really be. Sharpy, my drinking buddy and teacher for the weekend, ignores the fact I’ve never done this before and immediately takes me to a ‘Red grade’ trail. The description on my map says red trails are suitable for ‘proficient mountain bikers with good off-roading skills’ – a higher level of fitness and stamina is required’!

Surprisingly, after a few wobbles, I don’t do that badly. It’s hard work but incredibly good fun. The steep climbs are worth the effort, as the descents are even more satisfying than flying down a black piste on skis.

Dalbeattie is a relatively small village and yet it’s frightening how many barrels of beer the locals must go through each week. We spend the first evening mixing with them and I’ve never seen people give themselves such a liver pounding. There are women who look double their age and men who are double the size they should be, and it’s not hard to see why; everyone is completely trashed! It is entertaining though, and the Scottish friendliness throughout the day continuously reminds me why Scotland is one of my favourite countries.

Day 3 (31 May 2009)
Dalbeattie

An enormous Scottish breakfast keeps the hangover at bay and we head straight back to the trails for more biking. Today it’s the Dalbeattie Stane and at over 30km, it doesn’t sound like very far. However, the ascents are long and the downhill sections are steep and technical, meaning it’s an absolute killer on the legs.

As always, I refuse to go anywhere without my camera gear; it’s an extra 10km on my back that I could do without, but there are photo opportunities everywhere, especially as the weather this weekend has been simply outstanding – you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d gone over a mountain and found yourself in southern Europe!

It’s another red trail, but we try a few of the black ‘trick’ sections as I slowly build more confidence. However, Dalbeattie’s infamous ‘slab’ is a well beyond my comfort zone; it’s a long, steep and rocky descent that practically screams at me, “pain and blood”!!

My legs are exhausted but there’s still enough light to explore the coast. With the sun low in the sky, the views are outstanding, especially on foot along the footpaths over Rockcliffe. I particularly like the pier at Rough Firth.

The beaches are extraordinary: I’ve never seen such flat plains of sand and apparently the tide comes in faster than you can run, catching out many tourists. In the end, we settle for a seaside restaurant and a relatively early night, preparing ourselves for tomorrow’s final biking effort.

Day 4 (1 June 2009)
Dalbeattie, Mabie

The massaging beds in the bed & breakfast are a Godsend! I really thought I’d struggle to move today but as we head back to Mabie, I’m excited to test my skills and see if I can do better than my first attempt two days ago.

Being more familiar with the route, we go a lot faster and it’s a great way to end the long weekend; and although it’s a shame that it’s over so quickly, I’m actually rather relieved that I’m still in one piece! Even more surprising, despite the shaking, vibrating and alien-like sounds that Sharpy’s car made on the journey back to England, it too managed to stay intact!

This moment has inspired me to share a travel idea.

So I’m in Edinburgh today. A colleague of mine is in Edinburgh on Monday. Surely it would be possible to hide something today, so that they can discover it (with the aid of some Dan Brown style clues, of course)? We’ve started with something simple. It’s hidden in a graveyard just off Princes Street and all they need to do is find the right grave.

I’m sure this has probably been done, but I wonder if there’s a market for a holiday where you have to trek across Europe collecting all these clues? Or how about hiding your ticket home?

I quite like the idea of leaving a load of hidden “gems” across Europe and see who could find them. Or if other travellers could leave some hidden items and maybe I could capture a few..? Anyway, my flight is boarding so I had better be off.

Oh – and Natalie’s flight was delayed, so she made it after all…

My sponsorship has gone very well. So far I have raised £838 – thanks very much for all for your donations. My target is actually £1000, so if any of you haven’t sponsored, please go here (!): www.justgiving.com/carlobezoari

Last weekend Emma and I went to Scotland. We decided on the ‘sleeper’ train to Inverness (ok – that wasn’t exactly the best idea I’ve ever had) and then rented a car which took us nearly 500 miles around the Highlands. Despite the bad weather, I got some nice photos and we had a really good time. Paddling in the North Atlantic Ocean, the mound of haggis I ate, the cave exploring and the (unsuccessful) search for Nessie were definitely the highlights!

Easter was spent in Spain, which was a week of sun, pool and chilling – not the usual holiday I have, but very relaxing. What was even more relaxing was our day in a fancy London spa! Saunas, ice showers, herbal teas and spiritual music sounds all a bit pretentious, but it was really good fun! I recommend it to anyone who regularly commutes on sweaty trains in rush hour!

Something that has kept me very busy has been my (relatively) new hobby – video editing. I’ve now uploaded my two videos to my website; one of the train trip I did in 2004 (originally called ‘train trip 2oo4′) and the second of my ski trip in 2005 (a more respectably titled ‘three boards and a pair of skis’). Bear in mind you’ll need a pretty good internet connection to view them.

I’m getting better at editing, so my next video with (wait for it…) special effects (!!) is waiting in the wings and hopefully will be available next month.