Re-discovering old hobbies and past times along with mountain and climbing work.

I have been trying my hand and art lately and found a real enjoyment while doing so, this maybe due to the brilliant people of Room 13 who have triggered this. Unsurprising it has been all very climbing,mountain and outdoor based so far, I actually liked art at school a long time ago but never really liked the idea of drawing or painting plants or apples along with the 20 or so others in the class. But I've definitely had a push towards doing more so will see how it goes from here. Another random occurrence has been getting behind a drum kit again and I now face the prospect of playing a gig on Saturday for the first time in about 8 years.........hmmmmmmm.

 3 Pieces of Art I have done in the last 2 days

 

The standard routine of working and climbing has still been going on while I have been expressing myself or whatever art folks call it.

Tuesday I spent the day at Outward Bound Loch Eil having an induction/interview for any potential freelance work that may or may not be available.

Thursday evening I re-introduced and refreshed Richard and Sarah to climbing indoors and had great fun in doing so.

Today I was working for Lochaber Guides. I met Julia at 1030 off a Bus from Glasgow into which she had flown from the USA on Tuesday evening. We went for a very sociable, chatty and informative walk up the Allt a Mhullin from the North face car park to the CIC hut. We had the wind in our face and the rain at our backs in the distance on the way up to the hut but this seemed to invigorate the day and keep the conversation flowing. We made it to the hut in good time where we enjoyed some good views of Coire na Ciste. We mastered the art of people watching in the mountains while enjoying a snack out of the wind. Teams doing winter skills, avalanche awareness and also making good progress up routes on Douglas boulder. After our alfresco scene that wouldn't of seemed out of place apart from the increasing winds and heavy wet snow fall that was saturating jackets,gloves and everything possible. We made for a leisurely stroll full face into the weather back down the way we came. A very real challenge for Julia today but she took it all in her stride with a smile on her face at all times and always wanting to learn, ask questions and listen which made for a good walk.

Reached our objective

Smiles all round.

Typically Scottish

Out and about & getting involved in the culture

Fort William Mountain Festival is on at the moment, it is a great time in the area with all things mountain going on.

I volunteered Thursday morning to help set up the stands that are used for the exhibition of art, photography, local businesses and the mountain culture of Fort William, Lochaber, the Highlands & Scotland. After a few hours graft I drove to Kinlochleven for a couple more days of work at the Ice Factor.

Today I went out for a walk with Kev, Nadir, Andy and Dave. The forecast wasn't great but Kev and Nadir were hoping to get some photography and filming done. We headed up Glen Nevis at 0630 and it was decided that the sharp steep pull up onto the North ridge of Stob Ban would be the quickest way to get to the snow line and hopefully get the shots that were required. The day was very social with good chat and networking with the forecast bang on and winds gusting stronger with every meter of height gained, the decision to bail was simple. We headed back down after reaching the snow and having a bit of walk/being blown around. Under foot the snow was wet, heavy and deep. All around there was evidence of avalanche activity especially in the corries of Mullach nan Coirean. Full depth slides apparent.

Kev on the slog up

Andy enjoying a bit of blue sky.

Indoor work, no rest for tired legs and a mind full of questions!

Monday and today I was working for Ice Factor and the weather of the west coast and Scottish winter made for a very busy and enjoyable couple of days working at the National Ice Climbing Centre in Kinlochleven. Monday I spent the majority of the day working in the ice wall teaching and instructing climbing to a varying range of adults, children, abilities and experience.
I also ran a few intro to rock sessions and some belay refreshers. As if back to back sessions wasn't enough, on Monday night I organised and worked over time along with a few bodies from the local UNI to do some much needed maintenance in the fridge. I didn't finish or leave the centre until 2300hrs. Today started a little slower than Monday but the pace soon picked up with west coast skiing being shut down by the usual high winds. While working indoors over the past two days my thoughts were provoked by working and sharing this time with families, groups and clients from all over the UK coming to Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, to participate in the various and numerous activities available in the area.

Happy climbing inside a big fridge 

                                                                 

Theses thoughts were; why does a very large percentage of "local people" not participate, engage or take advantage of what is on offer? And what needs/can be done to change, introduce, influence,encourage or educate this percentage? ...........if anything?

I find it hard to understand when I hear people say "there's nothing to do here" When you look out any of your windows living or working in Fort William and the surrounding area and all you see is mountains, open space, rivers, forests and lochs. A play ground to the adventurer in all of us? Not everyone enjoys or sees this, which I completely understand but are businesses and providers along with councils,communities and schools doing enough to inspire, inform and educate the different generations of residents of an area that has so many possibilities and potential............

Views of Bidian nam Bian, Glencoe.

I think after some very hectic work, which involved meeting, greeting, teaching and engaging with some great people while seeing some excellent climbing of ages varying from 3 years old to 68 years old as well as the manual labour, I have thought to much and require the space of the mountains to solve all the problems I've created in my head while enjoying the fresh air and peace that comes with living and working in a Mountain environment.




 

A view everyone should see with there own eyes(Glencoe Summer 2013)

Motivation, inspiration and good slice of confidence boosting!

So after almost 3 months of not keeping this up to date I have had good kick up the behind today. But where to start.......... a photo from today, I was out on the Pap of Glencoe enjoying a rare day this winter.

Ballachulish Horse Shoe 

There are various reasons for not blogging lately:

• Lacking confidence to write up what I have been doing is the big one
• Doing a lot outdoors is another
• Finding the time to write up in the way I do is always a challenge (hope to change that)
• Working behind a computer typing up reports and documents for a part time office based job has enhanced the excuse to ignore computer in spare time, plus the use of an iPhone to access email, Facebook and other media means the laptop has been almost redundant. 

But anyway, I have had an inspiring day today and when looking back on Facebook and Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/jwgseaman & JSOutdoors

I have had an inspiring winter season to date.

The big one for me would be Winter Mountain Leader training attended and now also the looming Assessment!

I am feeling ready but also nervous due to the time, effort and commitment I have already put in and being doubted by the lack of confidence that over rides me at times. I think this is due to being involved in an industry where there is so much talent, experience and quality that I feel very much at the lower rung of a difficult ladder. And also that although there is an amazing community of freelance, outdoor centre employees and outdoor students in Fort William we are all competition at the end of the day. This is good but adds to the pressures and uncertainties of freelance work.

That head game aside I have had the best winter climbing season of my career to date and also had some fantastic mountain days and experiences with new and old friends this winter while also working when and where I can to improve my professional profile and network. I would like to thank a number of people who have helped me progress personally as well as professionally these last few months  :

Kev Shields for inspiration, motivation and coaching in all aspects of my climbing, but especially mentally.

Andy Spink & Hebridean Pursuits for his mentoring and opportunities.

The Ice Factor family, Joe , Conor, Mark, Rich B, Rich P, Pete for all the laughs, routes, training, psyche, slagging and banter and the management and cafe crew for enduring it!

Dave Anderson for setting a standard to aim for and achieve.

Steve Holmes for some inspiring climbing and chat when out on routes.

Gabi Tomescu ,Extreme Tattoo & Piercing & GT-Photography for friendship, photos and a good laugh at life!

A quick mention of Team Powell and the Spartan Society of STS, the STS, Pete Hill, MTA cheers!!

and most of all........

My family and girlfriend for all the support and putting up with me so far, thank you.

If anyone I have forgotten reads this, or feels I owe them, I do apologise and let me know who you are!

A man hard at work, fantastic photographer Gabi