Falkirk Outdoors

Link to our Late Summer community adult programme:
https://www.falkirkleisureandculture.org/fit-and-active/outdoor-activities/adult-activities/

Call 01324 506 846 from Friday 26th July to book or enquire about
HILLWALKING
MOUNTAIN NAVIGATION
SCRAMBLING
MULTI_PITCH CLIMBING

Online booking coming mid-August

Summer Youth Adventure programme at FalirkOutdoors cont….

Week 3 has seen the groups out Climbing, Gorgewalking, and Coasteering

Our Late Summer community adult programme will be available for booking on Friday 26th July.
PLEASE WAIT UNTIL THAT DATE TO CALL US.
Usual number 01324 506846 to book or enquire about any of the following courses:

HIGH TOPS £45

Thursday 22/08/24
Stob Coir an Albannaich & Meall nan Eun – Bike Access

14.8km with 120 metres of ascent BIKE, 12.2km with 1030 metres of ascent WALK

These Munros are usually done from Glen Etive - which is fine, but this circuit of them round Coire Chaorach from Loch Dochard promises to reveal the true nature of the Blackmount massif. Biking in from Victoria Bridge to the loch involves a bit of river crossing but the stepping stones are easier with a bike for support. On foot after Loch Dochard starts off boggy but then reaches the fine southeast ridge of Albannaich with much rock in evidence on the way up. After the first Munro an interesting bypass misses out the top of Meall Tarsuinn then goes easily to Meall nan Eun, where its southeast ridge leads intricately to the low ground and the bikes.

Thursday 19/09/24
Beinn a’ Chaorainn & Beinn Bhreac – Bike Access

12.6km with 250 metres of ascent BIKE, 17km with 770 metres of ascent WALK

Beinn a’ Chaorainn is a very long way from anywhere, guarding the northern entrance to the Lairig an Laoigh – one of the Cairngorm big through routes. When it’s combined with Beinn Breac it makes a satisfying, if long, round from the Braemar side. Most folk go in from Glen Derry, but our Glen Quoich route is better – the regeneration of the pine woods here is something to behold.
From Linn of Quoich a grand track - offering views due to the new track up the hill - leads to the Allt an Dubh-ghlinne where the bikes are left. Crossing the burn, we handrail up the Dubh-Ghleann and eventually reach the Moine Bhealaidh. Beinn a’ Chaorainn is the bump at the end. The even less significant bump at the southern end is Beinn Bhreac which is reached in due course, before dropping down to the waiting bikes.

Sunday 06/10/24
Meallach Mhor & Carn Dearg Mor – Bike Access

28km with 260 metres of ascent BIKE, 13.4km with 720 metres of ascent WALK

Beautiful Glen Tromie cuts deep into the western reaches of the Cairngorms, following the river mostly on excellent cyclable tarmac. This is good for Corbett baggers as it offers easy access into a hinterland crowned by our target hills. Our route starts at the parking on the B970 road at Torcroy, follows the Speyside Way to the River Tromie and then takes the long road up the Glen to the dam on the Allt Bhran. Bikes get dumped here and then paths and tracks lead all the way to Carn Deag Mor. A westward hike over the local watershed eventually leads to Meallach Mhor. Once that’s ticked it’s an easy quick descent to the bikes and a glorious return to the road.
This walk was advertised earlier in the year but didn’t run – there was enough interest for us to put it on again this autumn.

Thursday 31/10/24
A’ Chailleach, Carn Sguilain & Carn an Fhreiceadain
21.8km with 1000 metres of ascent

Many hill goers would not set foot on Am Monadhliath if it wasn’t for the odd bump poking above the rest of the plateau, in contrast to nearby Am Monadhruadh, mainly due to the difference in the ranges’ topography. This walk will either change or reinforce your view. Linking Newtonmore to Kingussie via the two Munros and Corbett offers good access and egress paths with a wee bit of what the area is (in)famous for – pathless stravaiging – in the middle.
Your instructor will use a bike to get back to the start point while you have a brew in the local café.

Sunday 17/11/24
Buachaille Etive Mor Traverse

9.5km with 1300 metres of ascent HILL, 4.5km with 50 metres of ascent PUB

Most hillgoers have done the Buachaille, but not many will have done a full traverse of the mountain. Starting in Glen Etive by Dalness the route goes straight up the back all the way to the ridge and on to Stob na Broige. A good baggers path leads on over Stob na Doire and eventually out to Stob Dearg. Descent down Coire na Tulaich ends at Altnafeadh. The West Highland Way is then followed to the Kingshouse where the leader will appear with transport, having cycled down Glen Etive to retrieve it.

Thursday 28/11/24
Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain

13.6km with 920 metres of ascent

A couple of nice Munros to keep the legs working in the build up to the winter season. From Fersit farm Sgriodain lies a fair distance to the south, up a grand ridge with ever expansive views down Loch Treig and beyond. Chno Dearg to the east – just scraping into the actual separate mountain class with 155m of ascent from the bealach to its summit – is an easy tick, which you should keep in mind as we traipse all the way down the lovely bog back to the farm.

SCRAMBLES £80

30/08/24 – Afterthought Arete – CAIRNGORMS
Way over the back of Cairngorm by the Loch Avon Basin lies Stag Rocks. Our route is the big steep ridge feature on the left. It goes at Moderate grade. It’s a fair walk to get to but worth it for the remote feeling and the views.

11/09/24 - Pinnacle Ridge – ARDGOUR
The rough mountain of Garbh Bheinn makes a fine silhouette when viewed from the Leven Bridge or Glencoe. Come and experience what it feels like to stand on this Corbett’s summit after scrambling up its famous Pinnacle Ridge (grade 2/3) – a fine exposed route through some impressive scenery.

09/10/24 - North Buttress – GLEN ETIVE
This is a moderate rock climb, just beyond the top grade considered for scrambling, but the moves and situation, hand holds and foot placements make it a joy to ascend. It’s one of the best ways to get to summit of Stob Dearg, Buachaille Etive Mor’s northern Munro.

30/10/24 – Sron na Lairig GLEN COE
The name of this route translates as the nose of the pass. It gets grade 2 and is a steep pyramid of rock and turf which has a beautiful arête section high up. It’s a bit of a walk from the road but worth it for the views of the neighbouring peaks.

MULTI-PITCH CLIMBING £80

Our Classic Climbs involve clients being guided up a classic rock-climbing route. It’s all about great climbing in an amazing place. Venues are not specified because we will go where the weather is best. Example routes could include Ardverikie Wall, Agag’s Groove, Savage Slit, Spartan Slab or Crypt Route. If the weather isn’t suitable to get into the mountains, then we will head to a crag venue.
Because of the nature of multi-pitch climbing, we require participants to have previous rock-climbing experience

21/08/24
22/09/24

MOUNTAIN NAVIGATION £50

Sharpen up your map reading skills, add more elements to your navigation toolkit, learn and practice relocation strategies - all in a hill setting. This mountain navigation course would benefit anyone wishing to gain more confidence in the fine art of not staying lost.

29/08/24
10/10/24
14/11/24

Summer Youth Adventure programme at FalirkOutdoors cont….

Week 2 has seen the groups out Climbing, Gorgewalking, Paddleboarding, Canoeing, Kayaking and Coasteering

adventures

COMING SOON................
Late Summer Community Adult Programme

Hill walking (with and without bikes)
Mountain navigation courses
Scrambling and multi-pitch climbing

Running from late August until the end of November

Details on our website next week

Summer Youth Adventure programme at FalirkOutdoors started this week.

Week 1 has started well with the groups out Paddleboarding, Canoeing with Bushcraft, Coasteering and Climbing.

adventures

That’s it folks another academic year now complete and as usual we’ve had another busy year being part of our Falkirk Pupils journey through their outdoor experiences.

We’ve had another busy year working with young people from all areas with Falkirk schools.

The Outdoor team have a busy Summer ahead; running activities over the next six weeks while the schools are on holiday.

However, as always we look forward to getting back to the day job and working with our schools and pupils in Primary & Secondary in August 2024.

The Outdoor Education Team hope that all pupils, parents/careers, teachers and school staff have a great summer. We hope you have a great break and come back fully recharged in August.

We are very proud to have supported these amazing pupils on their successful ascent of Ben Nevis last week

St Mungo's pupils and staff hit summit of Ben Nevis for Anthony Nolan charity Youngsters from a Falkirk secondary school hit the heights as they raised money for charity in memory of a former pupil.

Craig has been supporting pupils from St Mungos High school over the last few weeks with their training to complete the Ben Nevis charity walk. Great effort by all 😎👍.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/stephanie-lumsden-1717184771269

at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

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at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

adventures

at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

Our Summer Youth Adventure activities are now advertised here: https://www.falkirkleisureandculture.org/whats-on/summer-activities/adventure-days/

Call 01324 506850 to book.

Please make sure your child is booked on the correct course -

Young Adventure Days for ages 9+ are aimed at younger adventurers. On these days we will journey less and focus on the fun.

Adventure Days for 11+ are where we'll go bigger for the older age group. More challenge, more adventure!

at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

Kayaks for sale

https://www.facebook.com/share/zQAGGJ8M291hfEMK/?mibextid=WC7FNe

www.gumtree.com

at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

Over the Easter weekend we delivered our first Mountain Training Scotland course of the year.

Colin, Ian, Marnie & Martin - on a course directed by Craig - successfully completed their practical Lowland Leader training.

The course was based at our Muiravonside Outdoor Learning Centre and surrounding area, including the park and nearby Beecraigs.

More info on all our upcoming Mountain training Scotland courses here: https://www.falkirkleisureandculture.org/fit-and-active/outdoor-activities/mountain-training-scotland/

Info on Mountain Training pathways to becoming a leader or instructor https://www.mountain-training.org/help/articles/new-to-mountain-training

Some more photos of the final winter climbing outing of the season

Yesterday was the final day of our community winter programme.

Craig, with Steve F shadowing, took a High Tops team of Carol, Fiona, Malcolm & Raymond on a bike & hike adventure into the Gaick hills to tick An Dun & A' Chaoirnich.

Fresh winds followed by driving rain made for a swift excursion into this glacially affected area.

We have more adult courses running after the Easter school holidays: https://www.falkirkleisureandculture.org/fit-and-active/outdoor-activities/adult-activities/

Our office is now closed until the 9th April.

John & Euan leading on our last winter climb of the season

On Monday and Tuesday Craig lead a High Tops team of Carol, George, Grant & Petra into the Southern Cairngorms for a winter overnight expedition to visit Ben Avon and Beinn a Bhuird.

New snow and cold temperatures made it a proper winter adventure.

at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

This week saw students from DennyHighSchool
start their journey to becoming Paddlesports Instructors (PSI).

This was day 1 of 13. They will gain their Paddle Safety & Rescue Course & PSI during this time.

A great start made by all 🛶🚣‍♀️💦👏👏👏👍

at FalirkOutdoors continues this week…..

Yesterday a High Tops team of Alan, Andrew, George, Mel & Paul - led by Craig - went on a walk up the back side of Bidean nam Bian.

We went from the old visitor centre car park in Glen Coe, up Fionn Ghleann to Beinn Maol Chaluim, on to Bidean, and down Coire nam Beitheach. The lack of snow eased progress but it still felt like a tough outing due to the pathless sections and steep ground.

On Friday Carla, Ross, Gilbert, Jonathan & Pierre were on a winter navigation and avalanche awareness course delivered by Craig in the Lawers range.

We had to go high to find any snow - Meall Corranaich worked well as a venue.

Our early summer adult community programme is now available to view here: https://www.falkirkleisureandculture.org/fit-and-active/outdoor-activities/adult-activities/ (scroll past the winter stuff to see the summer entries)

We will be taking bookings from Tuesday 19th March

Call 01324 506846 to book or enquire about a course.