off work till 26 Jan, but need to be in Scarborough 21Jan for a family do.
Currently trying to rest up, but need some adventure next week.
Forecast looks awful for everywhere in England just now so thinking of slinging all the toys in the van and heading north at some point.
If anyone fancies meeting up for any of the following then shout:
MTB. Reasonably competent. Hideously unfit at present but have been known to do the occasional big ride (2500hm+). If it wasn't winter then would be looking to do Ben Lomond, Lochnagar or similar. BUT it clearly is so I'd take whatever is available. ( need to emphasise that mention of those hills is merely to give an indication of my style of riding. NOT to suggest that I'm doing them next week!
Skiing: solid intermediate skier. Looking to find whatever scraps of new snow might arrive this week. Ideally want to hire/ buy some touring kit and venture out somewhere, but appreciate this comes with a whole new level of complexity and risk. Got probes, pieps, shovel etc and have practised a fair bit.
Boarding: Yep if there's any to hire
Ice Climbing: Pretty rubbish at this TBH. Done loads of easy grade 2s and one easy Scottish 4. Did some steeper stuff in Norway but that was decades ago. Would love to do the Aonach Eagach again if a still day appears in between the squalls ( W to E, obvs)
Kayaking: Not planning to take the boat cos it looks bloody freezing.
Rock: ditto
Got a few things to sort before I decide, but thought I'd test the water. Tried to give a realistic indication of skill level above, but fully realise that you'd want to know more if we did any ice climbing or backcountry skiing.
Can't work out if the spiel above makes me look incompetent... I'm not, I'm just deeply in favour of not exaggerating one's level in a situation that might involve shovels, helicopters, throw lines or factor 2 falls!
Cheers
I'm free! and indeed looking for folk to do stuff with but
1) MTB - committed bimbler
2) I don't ski
3) I don't board
4) Done a fair bit of winter hillwalking but I don't do stuff that needs roping and Aonach Eagach scares me
I'm normal out and about riding in the Tweed Valley in the week and don't mind meeting weirdos in the woods.
It'll me more throw yourself down various steep ruts type of riding though rather than flog yourself to death uphill.
🙂
Cool.
I'd say yes to winter climbing, grade II/III would suit me fine, or Aanoch Eagach with a winter coat on would be great.
EDIT: Ah checked dates, you mean weekdays. Thats me out 🙁
Ironically, I'm thinking of escaping the Highlands for a wee break as the conditions/weather have been shit. The financial and ecological cost of doing so is currently holding me back. However, I'm looking forward to a jaunt down to the Moray coast at the weekend.
Your palmares and expectations exceed my current desires/abilities but if you find yourself anywhere near Speyside then I'm usually available for a bimble and a beer.
I might be able to fit in a midweek ride in the Valley.
I'm off Tuesday and Wednesday, equally unfit but capable of that sort of riding. Only have Highrollers on the Pitch, what could go wrong?
Can also ski, not in 20 years (and a few) but I guess it's like riding a bike. Was fine on Alpine black and off piste. Again, what could go wrong? (I believe in the intervening years unlike bikes ski's have gotten shorter and can now go both ways?)
Give me a shout if you want a North-West hill condition report, I'm out a lot up that way. Heading for Seana Bhraigh tomorrow and An Teallach on Sunday.
If you head to the Tweed Valley maybe look at the Capital Trail? The X62 bus between Edinburgh & Gala takes bikes so you can do a decent ride and get a lift back. Not sure if it's up your street terrain/style wise.
A group of us did a decent ride round Yair Forest and the Three Brethren in summer, let me know if you want a copy of the route.
Bring your warm layers though - there's a cold spell arriving next week.
Well this is odd. My mojo seems to have done a runner. Despite the vast improvement in weather forecast I'm seriously lacking in oomph.
Skiing without my sons seems very rude.
Doing the Aonach Eagach without the missus seems also rude.
And it appears that my placcies aren't nearly worn out, they are terminally gubbed, so ice is out anyway.
https://flic.kr/p/2obn1WR
I did in fact buy a pair of Sportiva Cubes, but the size 45s are tiny bit too small. Need to order the 45.5s from France which'll take a while.
But TBH the main issue us that I'm still exhausted even after a week sitting on my arse.
Hhhmmmm
I know a few good bimbles out into the hills if you want. I can guarantee good scenery and i am much less ****tish in person. Help me get off my sofa as well.
I would have been up for the aforementioned activities but I have to work sadly.
@thegeneralist head out for a gentle spin before you write off a trip North - sometimes sitting on my backside for a week is the reason I feel exhausted and some gentle exercise may perk you up a bit.
Wise words spoon. The challenge is the three hours packing followed by a five hour drive.
Really annoyed with myself for not buying new winter boots in time.
Welcome up way if you want some leisurely activities...
Right. Forgive me if your electricity went low for a couple of seconds there...
I've just loaded up the charging station:
Watch
4 exposure lights
2 spare batteries
MOON lights
2 Hope batteries
2 rear lights
2 phones
And my rucksack.🙄
https://flic.kr/p/2oboDQ2
"We're gonna need a bigger van"
So I dud indeed get off my arse and did the Bash with Conti. Very pleasant it was too, though it was quite scary how tired I was towards the end.
https://flic.kr/p/2obHGZb
( that's him, not me. Why am I even writing that ... its obviously not me due to the size of the rucksak handbag? Purse.... thing.
Currently at the Coe and hoping for a fine days skiing tomorrow all being well.
**** me it's freezing. Gorgeous but chilly day skiing at Glen coe following a damnably cold night in the van. -4c inside the van this morning.
Got 3 duvets and a sleeping bag but whenever I move it sucks a blast of freezing cold air onto me 🥶🥶 and wakes me up.
Currently minus 3 inside the van and my fingers are numb.
Happy days:-)
( gotta get it outta my system)
I binned off the climbing notion today when I realised that neither my head, my equipment (nor the weather) was really up to it.
Walked up the Wee Bookle instead, which was brilliant. Funny how even a random hillwalk turns into an adventure in winter.
https://flic.kr/p/2oc45oa
So glad I didn't do any climbing....
Journey to Glasgow took bloody hours and I've only just got round to thinking about tomorrow. Piss Poor organisation on my part, but I just couldn't face the thought of planning more than 1 day ahead.
Should I head to Inners in case squirrel or Stu is riding tomorrow, or head down to Ae which is much more on the way home...
Need coffee
Sorry dude just PMd you
I'm not available, got a family crisis to attend to.