An Casteal and lots of snow! 4th November 2012.

The weather forecast looked promising; light winds, little cloud, great views etc, but it didn't quite turn out that way. Although there was just enough visiblity, we had to check and double check our bearings to make sure we were still on the high ground heading up Sron Garbh and onto Twistin Hill. We were the first up the hill until two groups of two followed us to a point where I felt we should bear left onto higher ground. Annoyingly, my compass had developed an air bubble in it so I wasn't happy about it's accuracy. I asked the other groups to double check my bearings and was keen to see if they would show willing to map read in front of me. One of the guys did, and confirmed what I thought, so we headed left and back onto high ground. I don't know if they would've kept following our tracks without question? 

   

The route description mentions a "large cleft in the track", which you cross with a few rocky steps (in summer), but the "cleft" was now full of deep powder, and as the snow (much more than we had expected to see) was unconsolidated it would be tricky to down climb and then back up. Plus I had no idea how deep the snow was at the bottom. Consesus was to by pass it on the right and regain the ridge. The summit of An Casteal was disappointing, only because of the low cloud which only briefly gave way to a limited view of our surroundings. It was quite chilly in the wind, so we went a little further south over the summit to find shelter and a spot for lunch. The two groups in front seemed to head for Beinn a' Chroin.  

Rime forming on the summit rocks of An Casteal

A brief view of our route back via the ridge over Stob Glas.

We found a nice sheltered scoop round the back of the summit for lunch. Note the ice axe. Not strictly necessary but they came in handy now and then. (note also crampons not used).    

Another fleeting glimpse of the way back. It was quite hard going though, through lots of deep, soft snow which Lorna found hard on her ankle. It was fine on the wind scoured ground, but inbetween there were deep drifts which were pretty tiring.  

As time was getting on we opted to make a descent into the coire and follow the stream to the river Falloch and take the road back to the layby where we were parked (a few miles south west of Crianlarich on the A 82). We thought we had taken too long due to the snow conditions, yet we never saw the other parties making their return from Beinn a' Chroin. Maybe they returned the way the came? However back at the layby there were several cars still there and it was now very dark! Hopefully they had headtorches and were ok?!   

Kettler Giro S - Spin Bike

Recently we purchased a Giro S Spin Bike from fitness-superstore.co.uk. As you can see it's a nice looking machine and after reading a few reviews decided it was the one to get in it's price range - £300.
I was concerned about the flywheel not being heavy enough, but at 18kg, it compares well to the expnsive Kaiser machines that we have in the gym at work.
The service I received from Fitness Superstore, was excellent and the bike arrived as arranged and on time. When you consider monthly gym memberships, parking, travel, petrol costs etc, £300 over a year is good value. It's also handy to have not just for Lorna in her rehabilitation of her ankle, but for either of us to use when the weather is just too bad to get out.
The Giro S is very sturdy, smooth to ride and has a decent saddle. The onboard computer is pretty good too, with speed, distance, calories, rpm and time shown on the large screen. It also has a heart rate monitor using the pads on the handlebars.

All in all, we're really pleased with the Giro S, and hopefully the German/Kettler quality should last for sevaral years to come.      

Striding Edge, 21st October 2012.

After 8 weeks or so of not getting out for various reasons, we finally get a decent weather window and free time to do something. Lorna and Ruth game to try a grade 1 scramble to see how they would cope after all this time, so we went for the Lake District classic of Striding Edge. The car park at the Patterdale Hotel was surprisingly quiet, but we soon were amongst the crowds as we go to the Hole in the Wall with the first view of Helvellyn and Red Tarn Cove.

Lorna and Ruth (above) getting their first taste of exposure since last year. (Ruth had been to Skye a couple of weeks earlier with Ian, but found the scrambling a little easier). 

Ian and Ruth further along the ridge.

Myself and Lorna posing in our new jackets! ( I was determined to put it on, even for a short while!).
Lorna in her Montane Prism down jacket and me in  Patagonia Sheltersone jacket in a tastefull Mango colour! 

Looking down from the trig point on Helvellyn onto Red Tarn with Striding Edge to the right.

Ian and Ruth on the summit of Helvellyn. 

Lorna, Ruth and Ian starting their descent of Swirral Edge.
Possibly a ridge walk such as this was a little too exposed for Lorna and Ruth at this stage as they both said they didn't feel confident in their abilities having still not fully recovered. So they did take some of the escape paths on the ridge to avoid any awkward moves - stuff they would've almost ran over, a year ago. I think Lorna found it frustrating to get advice from (well meaning, but unaware) kids, day trippers and pensioners!   

Lake District - Brothers Water - 15th -19th August 2012.

The forecast was looking dodgy everywhere and it was a toss up wether to go north or south, but we opted for south and an old favourite campsite of ours; Brothers Water, just past Patterdale. Luckily we got onto high ground as the middle of the site was already flooded! 

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Wild camp - Lochnagar 11th August 2012.

After a leasurely drive through Glenshee and Braemar, where we stopped for a cup of tea, we passed through Ballater and parked at a very busy Lock Muick visitors centre. (Muick pronounced "Mick").  

Our first views of the cliffs of Lochnagar and a chance to scout around for a decent spot to camp for the night. The wind was picking up and it took us ages to find somewhere even slightly sheleterd and not too wet. The cloud was also slowly building and our dream of a picturesque sunset were soon dashed. Finally we found a half decent spot a couple of hundred metres south of the summit of Meikle Pap.  

This would be the first outing of our new Vango Omega 250, which was a bargain at £75 from Decathlon of all places. It has the vango TBS tension system inside, which turned out to be useful as the wind picked up! It also has a detachable, bathtub style groundsheet for the porch area, however we didn't use it on this occaision.       

Despite the glorious views over the royal estate, it was getting a bit wild so after tea we checked the tent over once again before getting cosy inside.

As darkness fell I was hoping to light one or both of the fire logs we had lugged up there for a cozy camp fire. However the strong winds made it difficult, but I was determined not to carry them back. Eventually I found a (slightly) sheltered spot and had something resembling a camp fire going, although Lorna wasn't too impressed as I insisted she brave to cold and wind to sit next to it! 

After a windy , but secure night in the Omega 250, we had breakfast , packed up and headed up to the plateau and followed the rim of the crags round to the first summit of Cac Carn Mor at 1150m.

As we made our way round the mist came and went giving the occasional view down some of the gullies, in this case, back over to Meikle Pap.  

Again, some tantalising glimpses down some big gullies.

This being my first visit here, I wasn't sure of the names of the gullies that are popular in the winter, but hopefully I'll get to return to see them from within! Finally we made it top a very windy and foggy Cac Carn Beag at 1155m; the second summit, from where we turned and headed south east, following the Glas Allt down to Loch Muick. Sadly there was a fair bit of litter around, even the coals of a barbeque someone had had amongst the summit rocks! 

The long path down the Glas Allt get more interesting and scenic as Loch Muick comes into view.

Eventually we came to the Glas Allt Falls, which you can get to by a short detour left off the main path. I don't know if they freeze enough in winter to be climbed, but they do look good. 

Nearly down to the loch with a short section through the trees to Glas Allt Shiel. Another possible wild camping spot?

Once past the north west shore of the loch, we turned east to make for the car park, when I noticed this chap casually crossing the path.
 
 

Looking back down Loch Muick as we head for Spittal of Glen Muick, and a short drive to Ballater for a night in the campsite there.



Wild camp - Dalehead Tarn, 14th July 2012.

Myself, Lorna, Ruth and Ian drove down to Skelgill, to the west of Derwentwater near Keswick, to do the shortish walk in over Catbells to Dalehead Tarn. This would be Lorna's first real wild camp carrying gear, so it had to be a relatively easy one!

After crossing over Maiden Moor (great views over to the Scafell range), we dropped down over High Spy and Eel Crags to Dalehead Tarn, our camp spot for the night. Unfortuneately the sheepfolds were full with tents, although the main one was wasted by a group of guys having a fire in the middle, instead of using it as shelter! So after a bit of hunting around we managed to find a spot relatively sheltered from the incoming rain. We even managed to light a fire briefly before the rocks we built it on exploded with the heat!

After a reasonable night, we had breakfast, struck camp and climbed up over Dalehead at 753m, and followed Littledale Edge, North West, passing Hindscarth to the right on our way. After crossng over Robinson, we dropped down to Newlands Hause and had a bite to eat at the foot of Moss Force. I would be possible to drop down to Buttermere and camp there for the night as a three day walk. 

Looking across towards High Stile and Red Pike above Buttermere.

Lunch at the foot of Moss Force at Newlands Hause, before turning North East and heading over Knott Rigg and Ard Crags.

Lorna on the short but steep climb up Knott Rigg with the Buttermere valley behind.

Ian and Ruth on Knott Rigg, with Causey Pike (i think?) behind.

Looking South East from near Knott Rigg, back over to High Spy on the left and Dalehead on the right. Dalehead Tarn, out of view, sits right in the middle of the two.

Descending Red Screes after Ard Crags, and looking into the Newlands Valley as we head back to Skelgill and the car.   

Cateran Yomp, 30th June 2012

Myself , Lorna, Shona and Jerry completed the 24 mile (ish - no-ones quite sure of the exact distance) Bronze section of The Cateran Yomp today. The money raised, £1600 in our case, goes to the ABF (Army Benevolent Fund) to help amongst other things injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan etc.

The route starts at Blairgowrie, and takes a clockwise route north up to The Spittal of Glenshee before heading back to Blairgowrie for the whole 52 mile (Gold) distance. After the problems Lorna has experienced with her ankle, she was pleased to to have done the 24 miles without too much trouble. The route was very muddy in places and we did well not to get wet feet and suffer from blisters!