Thursday, 1 January 2015

New Year trip to Scotland

We just had time for a quick trip up to Scotland before we had to get back to work after the Christmas break.   Packed up with a quick decision from web camera watching we went up to the Cairn Gorm ski center, making it up there for just after lunch unfortunately to find that the web camera had lied! There was very little in the way of snow, still keen to enjoy what there was we went for a quick skin up next to the lifts and down 3 times before we lost the sun.  The next day we made our way to Lurcher's gully and crag making the most of what snow there was.  From the top of Lurcher's we could see some hills in the distance that looked covered in snow so when we got back to the van we headed off in search of the snow.  We parked up just outside Kingussie, went for a walk meeting a fellow tourer who highlighted the snow he had skied on during that day, back to the van, filled up on food and waited with bated breath for the morning.  The sun was out and the snow looked good. Along walk in and a skin up past a bothy resulted in a day playing between Geal Charn & A Chailleach  (One super descent which we just had to do twice).  Eager for another day skiing we drove to Creag Meagaidh and were soon dream of more ski touring.  However, the following day did not go to plan when we woke up in a warm van and poked our heads out to see that most of the snow had gone and rain was starting to set it.  A wonder up to the loch to view the crags, lunch and the decision to drive back was made.


Coming down off A Chailleach

Views from the top 

Looking down onto Newtonmore

Snowy hills in the distance 

Layering up for the descent 

Skinning back up for another go 

Fi making the most of the snow 

Fi playing in the half pipe! 

Sun Set over Newtonmore

Friday, 26 December 2014

Scotland over Christmas

 The first trip of the season to Scotland for skiing and climbing.  We left home with the hope of knee deep powder and wall to wall ice.  The snow was a bit lacking and the ice was missing as well with that said we had a great trip.  One day climbing in Coire an t'Sneachda on Spiral Gully which was in fine condition.  We had also been told that the tracks on Drumochter pass hold the snow well so the next day we headed up to the pass and there was just about enough snow to make it worth it ( it's always worth it). Finally we ditched the skis in the sloppy conditions for our running shoes and headed out.

Tracks near Drumochter

Fi heading to the top 

The way down not knee deep powder but still great fun.

She's off


Ascent tracks visible as we skied down. 

Sunset over the loch 

Quick run up the Valley to have a look at the snow.

Making our way home for tea 

Monday, 8 December 2014

First day of Winter( Bikes away skis out )

The first sign of snow and I was off hunting for snow. Tried to get up and over Kirkstone pass but the snow had other ideas so plan B park at Thirlspot and head up to Raise from that side. Decided to leave the skis and take the blades instead. The north face was not in condition.
Top of Kirkstone where I turned round in the van 

Blades on very soft snow for the descent

The lakes ski center

The North face of Helvellyn

Paul H