Fun on the limestone pavements

I didn't expect to be back at/passing Twistleton again so soon, but Jane tempted me back with a cunning bike route that I'd not been on since 2007! Not as warm and sunny as Saturday, but maybe more dramatic and brooding with the clouds hanging over Ingleborough and a hazy light.

From Kingsdale we headed up the tough climb onto Ewes Top and headed North East above Twistleton Scar/Crags on a brooding bridleway not seeing another soul until at its far end (great for a bank holiday Monday). It's a great spot to be, passing countless 'shake holes' that you wouldn't want to cycle/fall into.

At Ellerbeck we stopped for a snack and were discussing the solitude when about 8 other bikers zoomed past (the only others we saw today). We carried on to near Ribblehead before heading back down the quiet Oddie's Lane, sadly the 'butty van' was closed at the farm, strange with all of the 3 - Peaks people aimlessly trudging past.

It was interesting we saw a few and they all had that 1000 yard stare, like they weren't having fun. They didn't even notice us or say hello, so focused on their challenge! Back past Twistleton Hall and the top of the Ingleton waterfall walk and 500 people in the 500m section we shared with them. Fun times on the bike again.

Yorkshire limestone

Trying to pick a quieter spot for the bank holiday weekend (well quieter than the Lakes) we had a great half day at Twistleton climbing with Ben. It was fairly busy, but we climbed at the extreme left hand side and only bumped into 2 people.

Trying to spot 'the' line

Tobe on 'Little Plum my Redskin Chum' a nice VS

The routes are very compact, but less polished at this side of the crag, although we also found quite a bit of loose rock on them, but I do love the setting and views, looking across at the vast limestone landscape and the mighty Ingleborough.

Blowing a gale at Bamford Edge

The weather forecast was a tad squally this weekend, but Sunday looked to be nice and dry in the Peak District so I headed over with Ben on Sunday. We decided to check out Bamford Edge as we hoped it would be quieter than Stanage. It wasn't too busy, we should had to avoid a massive Uni climbing meet.

Sheltering from the wind admiring the views

It was pretty cold and windy most all day, at times we nearly got blown off the routes! But well worth it with great rock and a beautiful setting with views over looking the Lady Bower reservoir.

We climbed 7 routes, I particularly enjoyed Wrinkled Wall (VS, 4c), Bilberry Crack - a technical corner crack (VS, 5a), Quien Sabe (VS, 4c) - which I was enjoying until on the crux and someone rather loudly fell off another nearby route which slightly unsettled me (!) and the best route of all was Curving Crack (VS, 4c), which was a tough battle for the grade and I left a sample of my DNA (skin) behind on it!

Me on Wrinkled Wall

Looking unsuccessfully for more gear/protection

And I found some more crack booty, this time a nut key, in much better condition than mine! Two trips to the Peak, 2 pieces of gear. Great to be on the gritstone again.

My 'chewed' hand after Curving Crack

Last minute bike training = climbing!

Next weekend is the Dyfi Enduro, a 60km mountain bike event in mid Wales. I have neglected all training for this and planned to get out on a last ride this weekend...

Quiet at Stanage

George following up Retrovision

However when I heard that a few people were heading to the Peak District to climb on the grit stone, well I had to go!

George and Shaw on Wuthering a classic Stanage E2

Shaw fighting through the overhangs

A great day at Stanage in the sunshine climbing 8 routes ranging in grade from VD to E1. Lets just hope that my legs carry me round the Enduro next weekend.

Shaw on a very slippy/polished VS

Cath and Suki enjoying the sun

Glencoe backcountry - Dragon Bowl

I couldn't resist one last ski trip as the conditions and weather on the Scottish West coast looked epic this weekend. I arranged to meet Gav and go and explore some backcountry, so after a night in the car around Loch Lomond I was sitting in the sun waiting for the first uplift at Glencoe mt.

Warming up on spring line

Chris and Gav heading over to Creise

I met up with Gav and Chris a couple of local split boarders and after a few runs on the piste we headed over to Creise the next hill/munro over as there was good snow cover in a few of its bowls.

Gav checking entry points

Gav dropping in

It was a bit of a trek (walk) over, but the Dragon Bowl was full of snow so well worth it. It was pretty warm and the snow sugary higher up, but brilliant skiing/boarding. Gav did a steeper first line whilst Chris and I did a mellow run. The skin out was epic, and due to the 'sugar snow' we had to boot kick our way to freedom so that we could have a second run. 

Chris

The 'easy' skin out

Turned into fun (ski's off!)

After 2 great runs we headed back towards the joining ridge hoping to do another line but it was too late, we were wasted and the other bowl was now in the shade. We trudged back over the never ending col/ridge back to the Glencoe 'resort' (which was now deserted/closed), and only just made the last lift down. Phew - I was absolutely wasted. 

Having a rest on the 2nd walk out, scoping endless lines

Looking back at the top of Dragon Bowl

Chris looking cool!

The 'short' walk out - endless ridge!

An amazing day - already excited for next winter :-)

Easter snow hunt

I'm turning into a ski bum..... driving through the night, sleeping in the car in a spooky forest somewhere near Pitlochry so that I can grab another days skiing this winter.....

Walk to the snow.. wasn't too far

Nice angle to skin up

Just before the summit

At the moment there's more snow on the West, but the forecast was for better weather on the East of Scotland so I arranged to meet Des and Cath at the Pass of Drumochter for a ski tour (great idea guys). 

On top of Geal-charn

The next munro along was just too inviting...

The plan was to head up the Munro of Geal-charn (917m) as the snow line looked pretty good/complete, and after a short walk the ski's were on and we were skinning up the easy angled hill. The weather was amazing, and we got to the top with only a short carry of the ski's at the bare rocky top. 

Short carry again to the snow

Sitting in the sun soaking up the views we decided it was too early to stop what with the 'beau temps', so we easily persuaded ourselves to carry on to the next Munro of A' Mharconaich (975m), as the drop to the col wasn't too far and the snow bowl on the opposite hill looked awesome to ski. 

Geal-charn behind Des

Cath heading for the top

It was an interesting trip over to the second hill, spotting a pair of ptarmigan and migrating toads on route (bizarre but true). After the second top we retraced our route to make the most of the snow cover and had a brilliant last descent on soft spring snow. 

At last some downhill...

Spot the skier (Des)?

Skins on again for the climb back up Geal-charn

When we hit the cars we were all pretty tired but smiling as it was well worth it, a fantastic day in the mountains - thanks guys. 

Last bit of uphill

Telemarker in action

Heading home.....

Spring snow in Scotland

This winter one of my goals has been to improve my skiing. I've learnt to ski in the last year, but I'm not totally sure what I'm doing well, and what I'm doing badly. 

Contemplating the steep drop into the back Corries at Nevis!

Nico's drop in

To me this is steep terrain!!

Therefore it seemed logical to get some good instruction. I'd read lots of positive stuff about Off Piste Performance and their course in Scotland seemed like a great idea to try and move my skills forward. 

Nico shredding the Corrie

Gillian leading the way

A break in the back Corries, the Braveheart Chair was running, which is rare I'm told

Wow!! What an amazing 2 days skiing in Scotland! The weather was great, which was a bonus, but going on this course is the best decision I could have made. We spent the first day at the Nevis Range, basking in the sun working on piste before dropping into the back Corries (exhilarating/terrifying!) to work on other skills on the slightly steeper and more varied terrain. 

Glen Coe

Sunday at Glencoe was equally fun/amazing, and included some great skiing 'playing' with the varied terrain. I have learnt so much from Gillian and this course, and feel my understanding of skiing, and my 'tool box' of skills has massively improved/expanded. I'd recommend it to any skier/mountaineer who wants to improve their skiing ability, and help them get out into the mountains. I write this with 2 heavy tired legs, but still a smile on my face. 

Checking the views (it was meant to be bad weather)

Dropping into Spring time