Pre lock down

Strange times for all, but just before we had to lock down and stay at home we headed out West for a walk. Being slightly under the weather (hoping it wasn't Covid - 19) we opted for a shortish walk.

Canisp

Meal Dearg/Cul Beag our objective

I'd maybe forgotten how beautiful the drive out West was as we headed to Ullapool and North from there. We parked just South of the Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve and headed off walking NW towards Lochan Fada on a rough track.

looking NE

Meal Dearg getting bigger

From here we veered West and walked a beautiful section on a mix of heathery scrub and rock slabs. The sun was out, no-one else was around and it was amazing. Before long we bypassed Creag Dhubh before the steep pull up Meal Dearg (657m).

looking back at the vast expanse

From here there were great views in all directions. Snow capped peaks inland and the sea and the Summer Isles to the West.

snow!

On the descent to the small lochan Uaine Abi somehow managed to do a somersault and land upside down.. but after gathering herself she was okay and we carried on thank goodness.

Fine views out West

We continued up the Corbet of Cul Beag passing snow patches along the way. On top the views of the sea and Stac Pollaidh were incredible and we lingered for half an hour taking it in.

Stac Polleidh

On the walk back we stopped by a pool and lay on the rocks enjoying the sun, fresh air and solitude before heading back out to the reality of our changing world. A restorative day for sure.

Heading down

the relaxing pool!

Self Isolation - well sort of!

Strange times... I met Des in the Aviemore area hoping to ski. The weather was meant to be okay, with a strengthening wind from lunch time onwards.

sailing in

Des holding onto his hat

Trying to get high quickly we met at the Cairngorm carpark. The winds in the carpark set the scene as I was buffeted around trying to find Des!

must isolate!

The lifts started to operate as we headed away from the ski centre. The initial walking was even tough  with ski's acting like sails on our packs.

When we hit the snow line skinning was a little easier, but pretty tough, but we kept going until we had to admit defeat. It simply wasn't viable with the 40-50mph wind and worsening visibility.

Des making it look great on the icy patch!

I nice boiler plate ski out made it sort of worthwhile. The photo's make it look much better than it actually was, probably Des's excellent ski technique!

abort!

Back at the ski centre it was basically shut due to the high winds, but we skinned half way up the hill to have a final run down, again on boiler plate snow (ice). It was eerie heading up a very bleak closed ski area until the wind meant it was impossible to stay upright.

I enjoyed the morning... not sure if Des felt the same!

Tired legs

With a mid week day off I was keen to ski and make the most of the snow and good weather so I headed to the Cairngorms. I planned to ride the pistes for a couple of hours before touring off the back of Cairngorm.

Not a bad day (loch morlich)

However... the conditions were so good that I just kept going on the piste for the whole morning in the sunshine :-). Just one more run..

tourer 1

tourer 2

Sometime around lunch time I skinned up to the summit of Cairngorm. On the top there was loads of breakable crust so I decided to just head back into the ski area. Maybe I should have risked it because I saw later that there was some good snow about but it didn't seem worth it at the time.

on top of Cairngorm

views to the Corries

After more runs my legs were shot and I had to throw in the towel quite early.. I great day but I think I need to build up my ski fitness somehow!

more tourers..

time to head back

Murdo's ski shack is open!

I had a dream... (long pause)... that I would open a ski (servicing) shack in the Highlands! Well that hasn't happened, but I came a step closer to that by actually servicing my own ski's today, which was long overdue!

how does this go again..

I found the edges were rubbish yesterday and the bases were as dry as the Namib dessert. My excuse is that there is no electricity or lighting in the shed so it's taken a year to get to a point where I had free time and daylight! 

no comment required!

I even got Abi in on the action waxing them en plain air with sea views once the edges were completed in the security of inside - well you don't want all and sundry to know what crucial angle you grind your edges do you..