Monday 29 December 2014

Why do we do it?

Some people must wonder why we do it?  You've only got to be there to see why.


© Mr Drew Photography


© Mr Drew Photography


© Mr Drew Photography


@ Mr Drew Photography

Very nearly cleared the decks and then it's time to get scratching *whoop*


Friday 26 December 2014

The start of Skimo

The Skimo Scotland race series kicks off tomorrow at the Lecht, so needless to say that we were up checking out the course and deciding which bit of heather (thankfully not much) to run over.


We have 47 racers on the starting line which is outstanding considering all the obstacles that need to be overcome to get this series running in Scotland.


As long as the roads remain open and the winds remain light, we should be racing on some excellent snow.


Don't feel guilty about the second helping of dinner yesterday because tomorrow I'll be burning it off - and I'm not even racing :)



Wednesday 24 December 2014

Christmas Eve Climbing

Merry Christmas folks :)


Tuesday 23 December 2014

It's good to be home

I love living where I live :)





Thursday 18 December 2014

The start of winter work

I drove West yesterday for my first winter work.  Needless to say that as soon as I hit Spean Bridge, the window wipers were activated.

Despite the wind and the mizzle, I had such a cool day working with a group of trainee Ski Patrollers for BASP.  To work with such a keen bunch of folk was an utter delight.  I got so carried away I never took any photo's - most unusual.

I am still waiting to get my first route of the season done but since it's warm as a warm thing this morning, it won't be happening today :(  Patience Di, patience ...

Sunday 14 December 2014

Finally finding the powder

I honestly can't remember the last time I went on a proper ski holiday so it's a complete joy to be sitting in our little rabbit hutch apartment with extremely tired legs.


Last year was a bad ski season for me, having bust my (good) knee on practically day one and then having to ski like a very nervous granny to survive the season.  

Why is it that we don't ski for nearly 8 months of the year and then just expect to jump on a set of planks and become the next Glen Plake?  Well, as the years go by I am slowly learning that I need to build up my ski legs.


So, I am over joyed that I have survived 3 days of skiing now without blowing a knee.  


The other good thing about skiing near the piste's is that there are hot chocolate stops.  Really looking forward to tomorrow because I will be skinning in the most inappropriate clothing just to get that line.


Wednesday 10 December 2014

Perfect timing

For anybody who has led a big expedition, will know what they past 4 days have been like.

The house turned into a bomb site; I had to retrain myself in manners and acceptable behaviour in public (i.e the phleming and remembering that it is ok to put loo paper down the toiler); adjusting back to Western food; getting over the jet lag and remembering that you can actually put on clean socks and pants every day.  Don't even get me started on the backlog of emails, enquiries and the onslaught of Skimo.


I met Heather last night - and if there is one person who will give an honest and frank synopsis on what conditions have been whilst away it's Heather.  According to the oracle, I never missed much.  Yeh, OK a few routes have been climbed and there's been a few folk out skinning, but generally not much.  The winter season is long and hard so if I'm a few routes behind at this stage I'm not going to get overly stressed.

On a very positive note though, ever since I have been home there has been snow in the garden.  I received a very cool box from Scarpa and Outdoor Research from the kids at the Mountain Boot Company.  Probably the most eagerly waited is the new Scarpa F1 Evo boot - the latest edition to the stable.  Excited, so excited that it's nearly worth a walk in the snow just for for the hell of it.


There's been loads happening in the world of dig - il - bert mountaineering but time is precious and no sooner is one bag unpacked, the next is packed.

Tignes - here I come!

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Officially, The End

This morning I officially signed us all off the mountain.  That must mean only one thing - the successful Adventure Peaks Ama Dablam expedition is finally over.


Right Scottish Winter, sort yourself out - lots to be done ...