Friday 21 June 2013

the midsummer ski

It is starting to become a custom for no other reason than "because we can".


Not quite sure if it the last ski of the season or the first ski of the new season?


For one day only, the mountains truly become littered with abandoned skis, boots and trainers as people connect the dribbles of snow.

It sure does put a new meaning to 'booty' on the hill.


Wednesday 19 June 2013

compromises on the outer hebrides

Derek made me do lots of this:


Derek also made me do lots of this:


I got my own back by making Derek do this:


Therefore, Derek made me do this:


In return, I made Derek do this:


To end, Derek made me do this:


One of these days, I actually might write a proper blog but where is the fun in that?

Tuesday 11 June 2013

multi activity mini break

The amazing weather finally came to an end today.


Probably not a bad thing since it means I don't feel bad about sitting on my arse in front of a computer screen.


Sunday 9 June 2013

teaching an old dog new kit

I remember when I received my first set of Edelrid Apus ropes, I spoke to Dave at DB Outdoors saying there must be a mistake since I was sent a pair of very long pair of shoe laces.


A few years later, having used them on one or two days, I wouldn't change them for anything.  No wonder I moved slow, low and heavy when I used to carry at pair of 9mm ropes - or was it actually 9.5mm?  I am not sure that I am brave enough to experience the new Flycatcher rope which is coming in at an astonishing 6.9mm - that's just a bit thicker than my pull cord!


I have also been using the mission quickdraw set and was curious by the new nineteen G set - how on earth could it be lighter?  Wow - I think I will be speaking to Dave again saying that there must be a mistake since I have been sent a quickdraw with karabiners that are slightly bigger than the accessory one used on my compass!

No excuses now :)


Saturday 8 June 2013

early birds

The great thing about meeting folk early is that by the time you get home, you still have loads of time to do things.


However, not yesterday.  After a fabby day with Jim - definitely not getting lost - I arrived home, sat on my arse and promptly fell asleep.

Think this week has just caught up with me.

Thursday 6 June 2013

pebbles - pulling and avoiding

Got very excited yesterday as I used the new SMC Scottish Sport Climbs guidebook for the first time.  I love Moy, just takes a few routes to convince yourself that you aren't actually going to pull out the pebbles!


Today, I drove South (**gasp**) to meet up with Louella to take the bikes out on the Beinn Eagagach circuit out of Pitlochry.  Oh, there might have been some Skimo Scotland chat on the flat bits - was far to busy gasping on the uphills and concentrating on not going over the handlebars on the descents.

Tuesday 4 June 2013

buses, bikes and blondes

There is only one thing that is slightly more cringe worthy than one blonde running after a bus, waving their hands desperately, as it drives past without stopping.  And that will be two blondes.


Despite feeling like two plonkers, Mr D&E Coach driver returned for the stranded females and dropped us off at Braemore Junction.


We had absolutely no idea what to expect, but knew that it would certainly involve sections of hike-a-bike.


From Braemore, over to Loch a'Bhraoin and then the single track through to Loch Fannich.  We managed to cycle more than expected on the way up and were rewarded with the most awesome grassy descend down to the loch shore.


Heather had wanted to visit the Nest of Fannich Bothy - which would have once been probably the best bothy in the Scottish hills but was gutted by fire in 1991.  Shame ...


From the loch side, with the exception of a few uphills, it was pretty much free wheeling all the way down to Lochluichart and back to Garve :)

Happy days.