Beast From The East

Th weather warnings were right. We got hit with snow two weeks ago.

What did that mean for me...... Well after the storms cleared, skiing of course. 

In the woods where I normally run I got to go out for a ski instead. It was great to get on the old telemark skis which must be going on for 25 years old. Still going strong although they could do with a little waxing.


As it turned out I was already on holiday the week of the bad snow so didn't have to get to work. When it was time to go back a winter wonderland greeted me.

Icicles from the rocks and snow hanging from the trees made for some great driving.

Lovely Dowally Loch.

The inevitable did happen though and cars slipped off the tracks.

No problems though. Just a little thinking and planning and out it came.

Dunkeld Chilly Rideout

Had a wee 22km ride out today to Dunkeld. Still cold out there but now snow.

Last Couple of Months

The last couple of months have seen some snow.

 Early Starts.

Sunny days as well as cloudy overcast ones.

But you always remember the good ones.

New Discovery

This afternoon was mostly spent playing in the woods with this awesome vehicle.!

Passed

I passed my Lead Instructor Assessment at Land Rover Experience yesterday. Two months of hard work. Late nights studying and researching. Training and learning new skills.
The pressure was on yesterday but it all went smoothly.
I'm looking forward to what is next. The learning will not stop!

Training with Jill

 Recovery Training

All New Discovery

Myself, Murray (who also passed yesterday) and our Assessor Sarah.

Land Rover Trek 2015

Some of the best pics from Land Rover Trek 2015

Thanks Louis for being an excellent Team Mate and never giving up taking us to 3rd place overall!! Experience never to be forgotten.

Bein Ghlas

Another ski tour today up Bein Ghlas this time. Just west of Ben Lawers. We did have a bit of trouble getting there sliding off the road and having to jack the car up to get it out the ditch. Not my car I would like to add.

When we did get up there we were rewarded with sunny weather and snow conditions that were pretty good.

We could see for miles.

3.5km ski back to the car. Another happy day up the hills. 

Spittal Mini Tour

Had a great day skiing today. We left the house around 10am and got stopped at the snow gate at the Spittal of Glenshee. It was not a surprise. It was on the traffic report. We knew the staff at Glenshee where working hard to get the lifts open for the afternoon. So we picked a route from the Spittal where we could see the gates from and skinned up, hoping to get a lap in before the gates opened. 

We skinned for about an hour and a half and from the summit of Creag an Dubh Shluic we could see the gate was open. 

So we skied lovely soft snow back to the car. 

That was not the end of our day. We got our half day passes and did laps on sunny side until the Tiger got the better of us. 

Up to the top of Claybockie then we skinned up to the top of the Tiger for a ski to finish. 

Good day was had. 

Winter Boating

River levels have been great the last few days. The storms have brought rain and wamrer weather so a bit of snow melt and heavy rain has put rivers into condition.

I got to play on the Tay yesterday at my favourite wave Wee Ecc. 

The winds the last week have been horrific and I'm a bit bored of them now. I wish they would die down.

First 2014/2015 Ski

Went to head up a hill at Drumochter but the snow had had a fright since it warmed up overnight so we carried onlike sheep to Cairngorm. We parked at the Ciste Carpark and skinned up to the M2 and on to the Ptarmigan Redtaurant for tea and cakes. 

We then put the skis back on and up to see Dad before heading down the back towards Loch A'an. Skins back on we headed back up the way we came and then cruised through the Ciste down the M2 and down the Annoch back to te car. Great first day out for the season even if it felt like spring with warm temps and soft wet snow. 

2014 snapshot

2013/2014 Scottish ski touring was good 

Bought a new to me bike. 

Went on a campervan adventure. 

Got a GoPro. 

Competed in a Kayak Event for the first time in about 10 years. 

Went out a a SUP. 

Drove lots of Landrovers. 

Went Open Canoeing in autumn. 

Paddled at the first Artificial Course in Scotland. 

Did a bit of Trail Running. 

Got out on my 20 year old Kona. 

Got ready for Christmas. Have a Happy Festive 2014/2015 everyone.