York Alpine Club Blog

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Herberts in Ibiza

Monday, July 9th, 2018

Hotel

At the beginning of May I went on a mountain biking trip to Ibiza. We were a party of eight including two from York Alpine Club.

The trip started well when the author narrowly missed having coffee poured over him twice but did not miss out, along with the other 100+ passengers, when when one of our party managed to delay our departure from Leeds Bradford Airport by three quarters of an hour

We flew out to Ibiza on a Jet 2 package holiday staying in a modest hotel in Santa Eularia on the south coast of the island.

On arrival we picked up our hire bikes, Orbea hardtail 29ers, new for the season and good value at 12 Euros a day.

Santa Eularia is packed with restaurants, evening meal on the first night was seafood paella 7/10.

Riding day one – We had with us a guidebook that purported to describe the best eight of the twenty or so signposted trails on the island. Route 20 was supposed to start from Santa Eularia but there were no signs anywhere. There was a route 5 which seemed to go our way so we followed it. The first part of the route followed the coast, sometimes new housing developments blocked our route, sometimes we lowered bikes down grade 2 scrambles. Cafe stop number one Cala de Boix, tuna salad 7/10. On the island there are a number of stone built watch towers and we took a detour to visit one at Valls. Crash number one, the author going rather quickly round a bend lost control and skidded on gravel, may have confused the brakes, which are the opposite way round in continental Europe. Fantastic gravel rash and later colourful bruises. After to the coast paths we followed quiet lanes back to Santa Eularia. On return we stopped at a bar on the main tree lined avenue in the centre of the town run by a Norwegian/Guatemalan couple – this bar became the obligatory post ride stop. Evening meal after much deliberation at a Michelin starred place costing twice as much as the previous night, but not twice as good.

Riding day two – Route 21 from our book, still no signs but similar to a Route 2. A very hot day particularly as we pushed our bikes up a steep dry river bed and past the second highest hill on Ibiza. If it had been the highest we would have made a detour to climb it. On the way down crash number two, the other YAC member this time – lots of noise, over the handlebars, bruises to body parts and a distant spec in a video. Cafe stop number one, St Joan 9/10, service included antiseptic and ice packs for our injured. After the cafe stop headed north to a a point from where we could see a lighthouse on the northernmost tip of the island. Thereafter superb single track to St Vincent and cafe stop number two, surf cafe, just drinks, no score. Back to our bar, then evening meal, pizza 8/10, ice cream cafe 8/10, Abba tribute band 1/10.

Riding day three – Followed a route 6 with a big climb/coastal scramble variation taking us anticlockwise from St Eularia to Cala Llonga – stone sculptures of a turtle and a salamanda on route in Cala Blanca. Terrain as hard as the first day. Great views out to sea (Not just of the naked sunbather in what they though would be a quiet secluded place, only to be disturbed by five mountain bikers). Cafe stop number one, beach, Cala Llonga, sardines, chips & salad 9/10. Tracks and cycle paths took us to cafe number two at St Gertrud(is)e, cakes 10/10. Tracks & quiet roads back to St E and our bar. Evening meal in “trendy” “organic” restaurant, food 9/10, island craft beer 10/10.

Day four – early start meant a quick dash to the hotel restaurant for breakfast things, flew home, no aircraft incidents. Make sure when travelling with a certain member of YAC they keep hold of their passport otherwise you might end up crawling on your belly down an aeroplane gangway looking for it.

It turned out to be a good idea to take the holiday as a package, flights, airport transfers, bed and as much as you can eat breakfast, no need for a hire car, good bikes, we flew out on a Monday and back on the following Friday.

GPX files of our routes are available, contact Peter Evans.

Maps are not as good as Ordnance Survey, we had to check our position with GPS several times.

There is a 200km mountain bike tour of the island for a next time. We will be going somewhere sometime for dry conditions in hot weather, after an inevitable wet and muddy British winter.

Tags: Ibiza, Mountain biking, spain
Posted in Cycling, Eating, Extended trips, Miscellaneous, MTB | No Comments »

Patterdale Pogg-out

Thursday, November 23rd, 2017

This weekend we were at patterdale in the Cleveland clubs hut, but without the drunken offensive violent member in tow. Friday night's entertainment was Richard H's Pizza Carbonella.

Sat dawned dry but not too clear and teams headed out in all directions. Simon and Carmen running south over the Dodds collecting Wainwrights in quite an impressive haul starting at Sheffield Pike area and ending on Arnitson Crag (despite some impressive nav errors). Donal pushed a lump of iron up a hill to access the High Street plateau and long ride, bringing quite a lot of the hill back with him on his bike.

Karl tackled the classic round of Striding and Swirrel Edges and pub. Dave Wiffen made the day trip and teamed up with Mike Shaw on Pinnacle Ridge before heading over to Helvellyn. Mike W clocked up a 60 mile road ride to approach is annual 5000 mile target, but did have to visit Shap for his sins. He was rewarded with a huge Staveley breakfast before an up'n'over Kirkstone pass and coast to the hut with mud to rival Donal.

Richard, Richard (that's two people) and Annie went Wainwright bagging close to Brothers Water – taking in Hart and Dove Crag and Red Screes and Middle Dodd. Paul ran a slightly brownian route to the Helvellyn ridge before traversing all the way to Red Screes and back to the hut. En-route he met Karl, Dave + Mike, RR+A and Rob. Rob was on a bit of a mission (see other blog soon) to finish the Wainwrights, which he did at 1.30 on High Hartsop Dodd (a pimple!) shortly after meeting RR+A. Paul caught him up with 100m to spare for the top out then headed off to catch the others whilst Rob started the long walk back to Grassmere to collect his car and arrive last back to the hut at 4.30

Karl was back first and set about raising the temperature of the whole valley using just the coal stove as his weapon. A standard YAC feast ensured lots of bodies stuffed with excess garlic bread lying around moaning before we even got to sample Carmen's Rice Pud with ~~chicken bones~~ lemongrass. Of course, we managed that and quite a deal of wine & beer to boot. Karl rounded off his day with a snore fest comatose on the sofa.

After a warm night with some Everett-esq snoring from Richard H we were greeted by a spectacular day- there seem to have been a frost everywhere except in a 10m radius of the hut! Richard P headed off to bag a few Dodds on his way home, Mike broke the journey home with a bike ride but on icy roads was a little spicier and harder than expected. Annie and Richard H headed east from the hut around Angle Tarn and Place Fell.

The rest of the team went to Pinnacle ridge which was in spectacular condition, dry and empty. Karl came with us for a bit but walked directly up St Sunday so he could get home early in prep for a mammoth week of traveling and teaching. The slog up to the start is a bit tough but short and we all arrived after 1.15 hours or so (despite two separate routes). Paul and Simon raced off, followed by Carmen and Donal. Rob and Mike got waylaid sodding about on all the variants they could find, descending as fast as ascending. This soon turned into a team sport and culminated in 3 variations of the crux pitch and 3 of the chimney/rib a little further up by 3 or 4 people.

Eventually we had to finish and head to the summit of St Sunday before a leisurely stroll to Grisedale Tarn and back along the valley. What a cracking short day – 5 hours hut to hut.

The hut was duly cleaned, tea and cake consumed and most people were way before dark.

Simons Pix on FB:

Posted in Fell running, MTB, Road cycling, Running, Scrambling, Walking, Weekend Meets | No Comments »

Mountain Bike Tour of the Yorkshire Dales 2017

Wednesday, October 25th, 2017

The Flying Herbert's are a Mountain Biking Group some of whom are or have been members of York Alpine Club. Every Saturday morning they do Mountain Bike ride somewhere in Yorkshire, last week from Gargrave, this week from Barnsley. In addition most years they do a multi day tour on Mountain Bikes. Some times we have a single base and other times we stop at a different place every night, tours last 4-6 days. Place to place tours in recent years have included routes in the Cairgorms, the North York Moors and the Sandstone Way (Northumberland). The 2017 trip was a Tour of the Yorkshire Dales. The inspiration for the tour was the Yorkshire Dales 300 a 2 day! 300Km mountain bike race and rides of our developed over the years on a Saturday morning ride in the area. We originally planned to go as a team of four but due to big toes and chinese laminate flooring we ended up with three riders Peter Evans (The only YAC person), Phil Sawyer and Paul Bell. We planned for 2 half days and 4 full days riding staying mostly in Youth Hostels, carrying our own kit

Day 1, Pateley Bridge to Kettlewell 26 miles

Thursday 10am. A lovely clear day.

At the start we parked in the street outside Pateley Bridge Primary School much to the amusement of the pupils out at play time. The route followed one of our usual Saturday morning rides as far as the dam at Scar House Reservoir, stopping for a cup of Tea and the usual (Beans on toast with an egg on top) at High Stean Gorge. Then up the side of the reservoir before climbing to the col between Little Whernside and Great Haw. From there we dropped down into Coverdale and began a long road climb to Tor Dyke. Next we made our first changed to the planned route, opting for a fast road descent down Woodale to Kettlewell rather than what looked like soft ground to Cam Head. We spent the night a Kettlewell Hostel, run privately, but marketed by the YHA. The Beef Stew there is huge and excellent.

Day 2, Kettlewell to Grinton 29 miles

Friday, Grey and wet to start, improved during the day.

Cooked breakfast. Another change, road to Buckden (Blame the weather) rather than going up high. Then followed a route called 'A Pennine Journey' towards Bishopdale. Disaster! Peter falls off attempting to ride up steep slippery limestone. Hurts like mad getting back on the bike but once on the pain is manageable. Route does not go down Bishopdale, instead heads north over Stakes Allotments to Wensleydale. Teastop at Askrigg (Not usual, a variety of menu choices). On and off road to Castle Bolton. A lot of pushing North up to Apedale (Would have been better going by road). Up Apedale, missed a turning at Whitaside Moor. Peter's lungs not large enough to call the front runner back, so road now all the way to Grinton and Bridge Inn pub stop before steep climb to the Youth Hostel. Back to the pub for food – not as good as Kettlewell Hostel, pie pastry shortcrust but microwaved to death.

Day 3, Grinton to Hawes 26 miles

Saturday, good weather to start, rains a bit in the afternoon.

Shopping trip to Dales Bike Centre. Steeply up Fremlington Edge, more pushing than the last time, is it because we are carrying loads or because we are older or both? Next to Langthwaite. Picnic by Old Gang Beck. Over to Melbecks Moor. Lovely riding, not easy for the one with the poorly arm. Another fall, a bloodcurdling scream, the front runners way ahead did not hear, Then called at the Halcrow Fox Estate for a welcome cup of tea and a grand tour. The riding is taking its toll, we decide to go by road to Hawes, steeply out of Swaledale,, we stop at Askrigg for a teastop (different cafe). We are knackered, there has been lots of climbing. Spend the night at the Youth Hostel too tired to visit the town. Food adequate at Youth Hostel, warmed up curry? not memorable. We impressed the Tasmanian water wheel fanatics with our exploits though.

Day 4, Hawes to Ingleton 17 miles

Sunday, filthy weather up high, wind and rain.

Next morning Phil drops a bombshell he is retiring from the ride, not well. He looks at his options and decides to cycle by road to Garsdale Head where he can get a train back to Leeds. The other two also make changes. We had intended to go to Bainbridge and up the Roman Road, instead we decided to shorten the ride by going south east to Dodd Fell. In good weather this would have been brilliant cross country riding despite a push up at the start. We got to Ribble head and and had a sausage and egg butty with cup of tea from the catering van there. Took ages for the food to arrive and had to shelter from wind. From here we should have ridden above Twistleton Scar, not keen on slippy limestone, instead we opted to go to Ingleton by road. This meant we got to Ingleton Youth Hostel rather early so it was not open yet. We went to Bernie's caving shop/cafe otherwise there is not a lot to do on a Sunday in Ingleton in October. Pub food at the Wheatsheaf ok, the woman sitting at the bar described her sex life in detail.

Day 5, Ingleton to Grassington 27 miles

Monday, the wind is behind us, some rain.

First road to Clapham. Off road via Austwick and Feizor to Giggleswick Scar. Tea stop at the Naked Man in Settle. Steep road then off road ride out of Settle following our Malham ride. Then to Mastiles Lane towards Kilnsey cutting across before part way down to join our Linton ride and the usual superb down hill to Threshfield and Grassington. The bunkhouse we were staying is at the top of a hill above Grassington so before climbing we had an end of day drink in the village. Grassington Bunkbarn is very well appointed. Great food and atmosphere at the Foresters Arms. We went back for breakfast on Tuesday. The best days riding not to far, not too much climbing, finished in good time.

Day 6, Grassington to Pateley Bridge 16 miles

Tuesday, good weather

We shortened the ride again so we could go to Grassington for breakfast because we did not want to go back up hill immediately after. Road then to Skyreholme and the across Pock Stones and Braithwaite Moors, on the route of our Appletreewick ride, back to Pateley Bridge and a celebratory drink outside in the sun at the Royal Oak.

Verdict

We ended up cutting a lot of distance out of the ride due to the climbing taking more out of us than expected. When we did the NYM ride last year we travelled further each day but did a lot less climbing. Peter carried way too much stuff. He has .gpx files of the routes each day, if interested.

Postcript

After the ride Peter drove to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton to have his arm checked at A & E. It is quite difficult changing gear with a right hand in a right hand drive car. Verdict broken humerous in left arm just below shoulder. Rode for 4 ½ days with the injury, Doctor not impressed.

2018

An extended Cambrian Way, Clun to Aberdovey, Wales.

Posted in Cycling, Eating, Extended trips, MTB | 1 Comment »

Miles from anywhere

Saturday, July 1st, 2017

I've fancied a trip to the Rugby MC hut at Cwm Eigiau ever since walking past it more years ago than I care to mention. And at last I had a chance, as the club had booked what is essentially a locked bothy for the weekend.

For once, the weather gods were on our side, and the recent hot sunny weather lasted through to the weekend. We even had a north-facing crag to climb on and avoid the worst of the heat!

The approach is by a 45 minute walk along a good track (which we still managed to take a wrong turning on). Most of us walked up, but Donal and Mike cycled. And Karl cycled up later on his new bike looking like he'd thoroughly enjoyed it and in no way swearing like a trooper. Luckily he was too tired to throw the bike back down the hill.

On Saturday, while Karl and Charles went walking on the Carneddau, most of us headed for Craig yr Ysfa. Carmen and I toyed briefly with trying Mur y Niwl (VS recently upgraded to HVS) but wimped out using the heat as an excuse. So we did a terrifying scramble/climb up a wet vegetated groove to reach the ledge at the foot of Pinnacle Wall instead – a fine Severe involving a long descending traverse along a quartz pavement followed by a long crack to finish.

Next we turned to the classic VDiff Amphitheatre Buttress. I'd done this many years ago and hadn't been impressed, but Carmen hadn't so we followed Dave and Donal up. Much better than I remembered – I must have been in a bad mood last time! And we bumped into Rich P who though not on the club trip was staying on the opposite side of the hill at Capel Curig.

Jamie Russ and Paul took advantage of the dry weather to make an ascent of Great Gully, a very (very) traditional VDiff. At least they thought they were taking advantage of the weather – instead they found the route wet and dirty, character building stuff.

On Sunday Karl headed home, Donal went biking, and Paul went for a run, while the rest of us returned to Craig yr Ysfa. Jamie and Dave went up Amphitheatre Buttress, Dave must have enjoyed it the day before!

Carmen and I opted for Nether Climb – a 1-star Severe in the old guidebook, but without any logbook ticks on UKC. As this suggests, the route was a bit on the dirty side!

Pitch 1 was broken and vegetated. Pitch 2 was better, though bold and tricky given the lichen, closer to VS 4b. Pitch 3 I've no idea about, as I went entirely the wrong way! The way I went was hard (VS 4b ish) and led nowhere, so I took a rope-drag-tastic line up some broken grooves and back left to regain the arete. As luck would have it, this brought us almost exactly to the top of the correct pitch. So far so bad, but pitch 4 was superb, almost worth the trauma of getting there! And the final pitch was also pretty good.

All that remained now was to get back down, which was a minor epic in its own right, descending a steep and extremely exposed rake, well worth roping up for.

That was quite enough for both of us so we returned to the hut, met the others, and headed off.

A really good weekend, and a good though basic hut in a fantastic location. We'll undoubtedly go back, though it might be a bit grim in bad weather.

More photos here

Posted in Climbing, Crags, Fell running, MTB, Weekend Meets | No Comments »

Dodging the rain in Northumberland

Tuesday, June 6th, 2017

With a mixed forecast and coming so soon after the Skye meet, numbers were predictably down for the late May Bank Holiday, and in the end only four of us made the trip north.

We camped at Greencarts Farm, a nice enough site but they didn't make any attempt to keep the party goers quiet and they continued their merry making late into the night, every night.

On Saturday, Carmen and I made an early start to beat the expected rain and headed for Crag Lough.

We started with a few obscure but good routes around West Corner at the far right of the crag, before heading left for Jezebel Direct, a great VS 4b lead by Carmen – no stars in the guide, whereas the disappointing and vegetated indirect gets 3 – perhaps they got them the wrong way round! It started drizzling so we started to head back, but it dried off so we finished with 3 routes at Peel Crag near the car park. I backed off leading a VDiff, but I'm not going to mentioned that.

10 minutes after we drove off, the heavens opened and we had a cracking thunderstorm for 45 minutes or so.

Meanwhile, Ann and Peter did a circular mountain bike ride starting from the campsite and getting as far north as Bellingham, The route crossed Simonburn Moor, where they had major mechanicals and both Peter's pedals collapsed! After this the track cut into Kielder Forest at Stonehaugh and then headed for Bellingham where they had a tea stop at the Rocky Road Cafe. The way back took them on the Sandstone Way, a marked route. Signposting at Shitlington Hall was hard to follow and they ended up at Esp Mill where the house owner plied themwith elderflower cordial (!) before directing them back on route.

Shortly after they were caught in and drenched by a ferocious thunderstorm at Gofton Burn. At this point they decided to cut the route short and and after a long downhill stopped at Simonburn for (yet more) tea and cake and to dry out. Two miles later they were back at Greencarts.

Sunday started damp and very windy, so we went for a run along Hadrian's Wall for a couple of hours until things improved. Then we headed back to Crag Lough where we repeated a couple of routes we last did a decade or more ago, and I finally got round to leading Hadrian's Chimney – a great route of its type, better and harder than it looks.

Ann & Peter did an 8 mile bumble from Belsay taking in Bolam Country Park, Salters Nick, Shaftoe Crags and Shortflatt Peel Tower, great views from the Devils Punchbowl. Refreshments after at Belsay village shop.

Bank Holiday Monday lived down to the stereotype, and rained. So we all went home.

A few more photos here

Posted in Climbing, Crags, Fell running, MTB, Walking, Weekend Meets | No Comments »

Wet Grange

Thursday, December 1st, 2016

A last minute cancellation of the hut in Newlands left us scrabbling around for a place to stay for novembers meet. Luckily the CC hut in Borrowdale was available and Rob made a quick booking to secure it. The hut is the Old School House and fantastically situated, and we managed to fill it in time.

Sat was pish weather so Karl, Russ, Paul, Dave D and Rob walked the 1/2 mile along the road to the campsite and over to Gate Gill and spent the next few hours getting a right soaking and having a laugh whilst not actually going very far. The mountain bikers (Jamie, Donal, Annie, Peter?) pushed their bikes somewhere around Borrowdale/Newlands and the walkers headed for opposite sides of the valley. Simon and Debra walked the ridge behind the hut from Catbells and Simon and Carmen went on a bog trotting expedition above Watendlath. Grahame ran half away across Cumbira alone on a mission. Peri went ice climbing and cake eating at Keswick wall/cafes.

Sat evening's feast was started in style by Paul with home made pate, followed by a Foxy Chili and the Inaugural Triffle-Off featuring three contrasting dishes. True to form Karl presented an adolescent dream of a trifle , with multiple layers and beverages, almost an engineering feat getting so much into a dish. Rob went all poncy with individual fruit laden pots but had a technical failure with the jelly, and Carmen cheated by actually making a proper nice trifle.

: Karls gets stuck in

: Poncy

: Carmen's and karls

Sunday we tried to walk off the calories, Russ Karl and Rob went for a wee wander near Watendlath (a beautiful place), Paul & Jamie did the scramble behind the hut. A big team (Simon, C, Donal, Dave D, Annie) went to Seathwaite for some scrambling fun but greasy wet rock ut pay to that and a stroll around the Gillercombe area of Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, Base Brown made for an acceptable day.

Quality meet, despite the weather and a good craic. Greta hut for a summer meet with all the climbing walkable and even some biking for those so afflicted.

Posted in Miscellaneous, MTB, Scrambling, Walking, Weekend Meets | No Comments »

Bryn Hafod Meet 2016

Tuesday, September 27th, 2016

September saw YAC heading to a new location, Bryn Hafod near Dinas Mawddwy in mid-Wales on the southern edge of Snowdonia. This place really is a world away from the popular tourist spots of the northern part of the national park. The hills may be less craggy and imposing but the rolling slopes and tranquil green valleys combined with the absence of crowds create a beautiful, peaceful setting. The hut is located at the head of the valley a few hundred meters walk up a track from a small car park and shares the valley with only a couple of farms. Built by members of the Mountain Club (of Stafford), the hut consists of a large kitchen and living room downstairs, and a couple of dorms upstairs (one for members only) providing space for 18. As there were only 7 YACers present, we had bags of space, even with the handful of members who came and went over the course of the weekend.

The local crag (Craig Cywarch) has a reputation for being rather vegetated but the hut owners have recently been fairly active at cleaning things up and provided a handy list of cleaned (or otherwise climbable) routes. The ominously named "Doom" seemed to be top of everyone's ticklist so Simon and Carmen headed off to find this on Saturday morning, Pete B and I following along behind some time later (purely to avoid the queue of course, nothing to do with our inability to get up in the morning). On arrival at the crag (a short walk from the hut) Pete and I spotted S and C warming up on one of the recently cleaned VDiffs so decided to do the same and headed for Will o' the Wisp, a classic rock tick Pete had done before but couldn't remember much about. Apart from an ill advised scramble up a steep vegetated gully, we found the route fairly easily. It proved to be pretty good, with some fantastic positions and views down the valley, only spoiled slightly by me ignoring the guidebook description and traversing past the arete with steep juggy moves up a wall in a fantastic exposed position (apparently the best bit of the route), in favour of a steep vegetated corner, with minimal holds or gear. Oops! Simon and Carmen followed us up (the conventional way) after retreating from a wet slimy slab on the crux of P1 of Doom.

After lunch S and C went back to tick of the rest of the VDiffs where they started while Pete and I went in search of Buzzards Balcony, a 3* Severe at the far end of the crag. However, after 1.5hrs of bashing through bracken and brambles we decided it was a bit late to start another route and headed back to the hut to make a start on dinner (via a less direct/vegetated route!). Rather a shame as the routed looked to be in good nick.

The others (Pete E, Donal and Annie) had a good day out biking, despite the cafe on route being shut so had to survive on Donal and Annie's sandwiches, Pete's pies, cake purchased from a farm on route, and a cream tea at the cafe at the end of the route. Meagre rations indeed!

Sunday we awoke in the clag so settled for a pleasant walk around the Arans, except S and C who ran a similar route in the opposite direction.

A good trip in a nice location but must get a bit more climbing in next time.

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Christmas/New Year Meet

Tuesday, January 19th, 2016

This year we stayed at the Raeburn hut. A great hut which we hadn't stayed in for a few years.

It offered a sheltered location from the driving wind and rain which occurred at times. Whilst no hills are on the door step, there are lots of hills, climbing and mountain biking available within a short drive (and a distillery).

Attendees (for varying length of stays between 2-8 days) Simon C, Carmen, Simon F, Debra, Annie, Peter E, Peri, Mike S, Stuart M, Peter W and Sarah W.

27^th December – gave us the best day of the week. Plenty of fresh snow, blue sky and light winds until later in the day. With the best forecast for the next few days Simon and I chose a long walk to Creag Mhor (a Corbett behind Bynack More) which took 5 hrs to the summit. We would never have made it without snow shoes! Meanwhile Simon F, Debra and Peri went munro bagging with a cycle up Glen Tilt to approach an ascent of Carn A' Chlamain. The evening was rounded off nicely with Peri's poached pears and Welsh cakes (which she had prepared the night before just to keep Simon F happy).

28^th December – Annie, Pete E, Simon and I headed up another Corbett – The Fara. Annie cheated and hitched a lift to the start of the walk. It would have been good to do the whole ridge – but not in the very strong winds we battled against on top today. Peri enjoyed an exploratory cycle ride from the hut (especially enjoying the downhill sections). Debra cycled whilst Simon F ran around Loch Laggan (about 14 miles) and took him over his target of 1000 miles run in 2015 – so he was reasonably happy yet again.

29^th December – Pete E, Annie, Mike, Simon and myself cycled up Glen Garry. While the others carried on cycling to Kinloch Rannoch and back, Simon and I dumped the bikes for a quick ascent of the Corbett Beinn Mholach. Simon and Debra went bird watching/walking around Rothiemurchus forest – finding that the birds only seem to reside in the car park. Peri headed back to York to check the extent of the flooding.

30^th December – S & D decided they would head off back to the Dales. As forecast it was very wet and very windy so the rest of us were content with a trip to the Dalwhinnie distillery (unfortunately no tours available – but we were given a free small dram), food shopping in Aviemore followed by a stop in the Laggan cafe (the old store has now re-opened as a cafe and with a few basic shopping supplies) – a nice cafe with a proper fire and much more relaxed than Aviemore.

31^st – After several failed attempts in the past Peter E and Annie enjoyed an ascent of Meall a'Bhuachaille (a Corbett behind Glen More lodge). Simon and I went up Meall na h-Aisre (a Monadhliath Corbett) from Garva Bridge. We extended the walk as conditions were really good in the morning/early afternoon. New supplies of YAC folk arrived in the evening and we stuffed ourselves with soup, haggis and cheese. Given the good conditions forecast for the 1^st we were all in bed soon after midnight and were up fairly early the following day.

1^st – Stuart, Peter and Sarah W, Simon C and myself went to do the classic horseshoe of Creag Meaghaidh. We remained mainly out of the cloud (with just one session of walking around in circles in the clag) with only a strong wind to contend with. Stuart and Simon entertained themselves sledging down a snow slope (repeatedly) and Sarah fell through a cornice (not over the edge thankfully). With Annie suffering from blisters and a lack of enthusiasm for cycling, Peter and Annie went up a Munro by the A9. Back at the hut Simon proved himself to be the undisputed board game champion (well Connect 4 and Scrabble).

2^nd – After a slow start deciding what to do in the wind and rain – Simon and I went for a cycle around Rothiemurchus forest, with Pete and Annie opting for walking around the forest. Stuart met some people in a bothy and they joined him in his walk near the ski centre. Peter and Sara W went Munro-bagging with ascents of Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg in the cloud.

Overall a good trip and we did quite well considering the weather. Surprisingly we failed to make much of a dent on Annie' s drink cabinet (apart from the gin).

Some more photos here

Tags: gin, rain, snow, wind
Posted in Extended trips, MTB, Walking, Winter | No Comments »

August Bank Holiday in Scotland

Wednesday, November 25th, 2015

This year's August meet saw a return to Glen Feshie, where we stayed last New Year. A full complement of 10 decided to brave the midges and the weather, and were rewarded by another good weekend.

On Saturday the weather forecast was for sun and showers. Having done all the nearby Munros and optimistic that we might be able to climb during the dry interludes, Simon and I headed off for a classic rock tick – Savage Slit (S) in Coire an Lochain. As Scottish walk-ins go it is not that far – we set off into rainbow skies and passed a herd of reindeer. However, as we got closer things got cloudier and wetter. The showers became pretty much persistent rain – but it was light rain at least.

After a fair bit of dithering we decided to attempt the route (dripping wet). The book said it goes in almost all conditions which is true, it was a bit unnerving given the wetness but the good protection helped. A great line and route, probably even more spectacular in the dry, fully deserving its classic status despite not being able to feel our fingers or toes. Some of the other harder lines look great – but we were not tempted to try in the rain – will have to wait. Given the weather we headed straight back and made an early start on dinner for once.

Meanwhile the bikers cycled up Glen Feshie and (almost) to the summit of Carn Ban Mor – a big hill with much pushing! Mike was the only one to clear all the drainage ditches and bars on the descent. No tea stop (shock horror) but normal service was resumed with pints of Caillie at the Watersports Centre.

Michael and David went for a walk along Glen Feshie and then up Allt Garbhlach to Carn Ban Mor and along the tops in the clag to Sgor Gaoith and Sgoran Dubh Mor, descending via Meall Tionail. A good day despite strong winds and a total lack of views.

Sunday was due to be similar, but with less rain. Simon and I thought about Talisman (the other Classic Rock route in the area), but the idea of a 4 hour walk in with the chance of rain when we got there didn't appeal! Instead we headed for Coire an t’Sneachda and did Pygmy Ridge (Moderate). We'd intended soloing or moving together, but in the end pitched the whole thing, in 5 excellent pitches. This was followed by a walk over to Stag Rocks (above Loch Avon) to do Afterthought Arête (an 8 pitch Moderate) where we got views of a couple of skiers taking advantage of the late snow patches! The weather improved in the late afternoon so we headed back over Cairn Gorm summit and an adjacent Top with stops to watch the hares on the way up, and a snow bunting posing for photos on the summit.

Meanwhile the bikers did a lower level route to Rothiemurchus and Loch Einich from the hut with fantastic cakes courtesy of the Inshraich Garden Centre, while Mike headed to Wolftrax at Laggan to put his new mountain bike to the test.

David and Michael walked up some of the hills west of the A9 – up to Cnoc an Tiumpain, along A'Bhuidheanaich and on to Meall a' Chocaire with a descent via Raitts Burn to Balavil.

On Bank Holiday Monday the weather did its usual trick. David, Mike and Michael went to the Cairngorm ski resort with the intention of ascending Cairngorm should there be any visibility. There wasn't, so they gave up and went home.

The bikers went to Nethy Bridge and Boat of Garten from Loch Morlich, a very fast ride, followed by more cracking cakes at Loch Morlich Vistor Centre.

Although the weekend was now over, a few people stayed in Scotland for a bit longer0.

The bikers stayed at the hut, and on Tuesday cycled Burma Road from Aviemore. A brutal first 3 miles up hill took an hour, down on other side 10 minutes. This was the most scenic ride of the trip, despite torrential rain from Carrbridge all the way back to Aviemore. Tea stop at Carrbridge Kitchen – soup then cakes, Tradewinds in the Bridge Inn, Aviemore. Om nom nom.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Simon and I headed over to Dunvegan on Skye and a bimble around the castle gardens. This was followed by climbing at Neist on Tuesday, we were dodging the showers but managed to get a few routes done on the sea-cliffs this time.

We then headed to Glen Brittle with the aim of finishing the last Munros on Skye that Simon had done before but I hadn't. On Wednesday we bagged the three Munros around the head of Coire a' Ghreadaidh, luckily the winds in the glen were much stronger than those on the tops and we managed to scramble all the way along the narrow ridge.

As we were staying put for a few days we put our big tent up – which almost flew (with us attached) towards the sea. Don’t try to put up a tent with door partially open facing into the wind – d'oh! We then spent the next couple of days ticking off my final Munros on Skye in less than favourable conditions. Sgurr Alasdair via the great stone shoot (never again!) on Friday, then Sgurr Dubh Mhor on Friday, when Simon's inspired navigation led us into Coire Lagan again instead of Coir' a' Ghrunnda! But luckily the delay meant we got to our objective during the only hour of the day when it wasn't raining.

It was looking like the In Pin would have to wait for another trip as winds were very strong on the ridge and rain pretty relentless (I scrambled in gloves all week). However, on the final day, contrary to the forecast the weather was good, with sun and light wind. So we headed off for the In Pin, we over took a couple on the approach and we were the only two teams on the Pinnacle. A great route and fantastic setting – easy but incredibly exposed. Glad we waited for the better conditions!

Skye done – tick – just Mull, Loch Fyne, 1 in Knoydart and 5 in Glen Affric to go!

A few more photos from the Cairngorms here

Tags: bunting, cairngorms, Cakes, mountain hares, Showers
Posted in Climbing, Crags, Cycling, Eating, Extended trips, Mountaineering, MTB, Walking | No Comments »

Dales MTB – Windy and wild!

Sunday, January 11th, 2015

Paul, Donal and I headed out to Masham today, eager to get out into the 'Great Outdoors' and work off some Christmas calories, despite the weather forecast. Light rain greeted us as we got out of the car, and we'd clocked the post ride cafe just opening on the square before we'd even set off.

As we headed west I was hopeful that things may not be as bad as I thought, the rain seemed to have stopped, and the sun was trying to get out – this would be short lived! After a warm up along the road, we battled through some traditional dales winter conditions as a few sheep fields reduced the track to a mud bath, and we emerged back onto the road pushing mud-clagged bikes uphill out of the farmyard.

I'd picked the ride as it gave most of the climbing on the road, and as it was also heading into the prevailing winds would be easier, and mean we had the wind behind us on the off-road return leg. As we started the 7km climb past Leighton Reservoir and up onto High Ash Head Moor, the full force of the forecast winds hit us. A sprinkling of rain / sleet ensured that my face got the full 'sand blasting' effect, and we had to use the full width of the road just to stay upright. By now wet feet and cold hands were numb, and you know the wind's strong when you have to pedal downhill….

As we turned onto the track to begin the return leg, the tailwind instantly made life much easier, even the short uphill sections were a breeze (sorry) and we had some well deserved fast descents on the landrover tracks as we headed NE across the moors towards Ilton. Once here, we'd dropped off the Moors and out of the worst of the winds, and finshed the ride with more muddy fields, and then road through Swinton Park back to Masham.

By the end, my fingers were struggling to function on the gear shifters, and feet felt like…well I couldn't really feel them. However once back in dry clothes and warming up in the cafe, all agreed it was good to get out, and beats spending Sunday on the sofa – just!

Ride distance – 32km, ride time about 3 hours. Would be a great one to do again in summer, and the right side of the Dales for a quick blast from York.

Tags: cold, dales, Masham, Mountain biking, Windy
Posted in Miscellaneous, MTB | 1 Comment »