There’s nothing quite like a day in the mountains, especially when shared with a good friend and mentor. This past Tuesday, John Walker of Johnny Walker Mountain Leading, and I embarked on what we both consider a classic Cairngorms adventure. It was a day that subtly reminded me of the similarities between mountaineering and building an effective digital marketing strategy, highlighting the importance of having a broad range of skills and experience to work within an ever changing environment.
The Early Start & A Cairngorm Welcome
The 5am alarm clock heralded the start of the day in Stirling, but the promise of crisp mountain air and panoramic views made the early start worth it. We hit the road, heading north, and arrived at the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Area at 8 AM, the air feeling fresh.
Our journey began from the Coire Cas carpark (Post Code: PH19 1BQ), a familiar starting point for many a mountain day. We made our way along the Coire an t-Sneachda path, a route that quickly immerses you in the raw beauty of the Cairngorms. We were immediately greeted by some of the local residents – deer, grazing peacefully, and, as is often the case in Scotland, a healthy population of midges. Thankfully, there was just enough breeze to keep them at bay as we hiked, allowing us to enjoy the stunning surroundings without too much distraction.
Pygmy Ridge: Quality Granite
Our primary objective for the day was a link-up of two fantastic routes. First up was Pygmy Ridge, a route that sits proudly atop Aladdin’s Buttress on the back wall of Coire an t-Sneachda.
Upon reaching the back wall of Coire an t-Sneachda, we took a moment to assess the approach to our line, carefully considering the midge activity and the waining northerly breeze. Encouraged by the thought of more exposure and thus more breeze higher up, we scrambled up the right-hand side of the grassy slabs next to the winter climbing route of Central Gully Left Hand, arriving at the foot of Pygmy Ridge.
The ridge itself is a joy to climb, formed from blocky layers of fantastically featured and grippy granite, offering loads of cracks and breaks for passive protection. While the ground was steady and would make excellent training for moving together in an alpine fashion, we opted for two 25-meter pitches to get us to the crest. A final 40-meter pitch took us along the upper ridge and over a distinctive blocky tower. Great fun was had, although the breeze had not been as strong as we had hoped, and both of us had to endure brief belays with persistent midge.
Adapting your plan to Conditions
Given the midge and lack of breezy conditions on Pygmy, we happily decided that Afterthought Arete on Stag Rocks (our planned second route) could wait for another day. Its southern aspect would have been totally sheltered, and we knew we would have been eaten alive! Sometimes, the best decision in the mountains may feel like a retreat but adapting a plan to the conditions you find are a key part of mountaineering and and important skill in digital marketing.
From the top of Coire an t-Sneachda, we headed east toward the large block of Point 1141m, before making our descent via Fiacaill a’ Choire Chais back into Coire Cas. A great end to a brilliant day was a well-deserved coffee at the Cairngorm Mountain Cafe.
More Than Just a Climb: Lessons from the Mountains
While well within our comfort limits days like these with John are invaluable. They aren’t just about the physical challenge or the stunning scenery; they’re about the planning, the execution, the real-time decision-making based on evolving conditions, and the sheer satisfaction of achieving a goal (even if that goal adapts to the circumstances!). These are principles that resonate far beyond the mountain environment and into everything we do, including digital marketing. Just like plotting a safe and efficient route, effective digital strategies require careful planning, adaptable execution, and a clear vision of the summit – sometimes requiring a strategic shift to ensure success and avoid being “eaten alive” by challenges!
Planning Your Own Ascent (or Digital Strategy)?
John Walker is a qualified Mountain Leader and Winter Mountain Leader, he has completed the Scottish Munro’s almost three times and is well into his fourth round. John has a pure passion and wealth of knowledge about the hills of Scotland, the UK and abroad. Interested in finding out more visit his website www.johnnywalker.co.uk or Facebook Page. If you’re looking for help mapping out your own digital journey, Topo Digital is here to help you reach your goals.