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.

Vanlife Adventures ordered!

I have wanted a van for personal use for years. I drive them almost every day with work and I love the high seating position and the versitility. Finally I plucked up the courage to go for it.

So in a couple of weeks time we will have a 2009 VW T5 with 43,000 miles on it. It is in currently in panel van form. ie we have a blank canvas. I don't think we are going to go for a full camper conversion. More like a day van multi use van set up. side windows will be the first. Seating for six, Sleeping options, yes. Removable seats for toys to go in. Swival front seats for socialising. Thule Roof Rack.

I will be sorry to see the Freelander go, but it is time.

So to celebrate I went kayaking.! The Braan really does deliver for an afternoon blast. It was not too cold and the river was on the rise. 

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.