Snowdonia Navigation

Today's exploits were courtesy of Snowdonia Adventures who had put on a beginners navigation training course for some members of snowHeads. I had asked if I could tag along, as I teach navigation to my D of E group, without ever really having been taught how to teach it.

The course started off classroom based, before we headed out onto the hill. Most people had done some nav before, but there were a few total beginners. It was useful practice for me, with the 1st D of E trip coming up next weekend, as it is easy to get out of practice with taking bearings. I was encouraged that I seemed to get everything right!

As everyone was doing so well, we stayed out after dark, enduring a steep, uneven descent. This was particularly good as it was testing, and was interesting to see how the instructor managed the group to ensure everyone got down safely. Having done two night sessions in a week, I'm now keen to get out and do more :)

Brown Knoll

Having worked the past two evenings, I decided to take advantage of the weather and headed out to the Peaks. I'd planned a while back to do Rushop Edge/Brown Knoll, but never got round to it. The plan evolved into....park at the far end of Rushop Edge, walk over Brown Knoll and up to Kinder Downfall, then return by the same route.



Having [almost!] reached the trig point at Brown Knoll, I decided that it was far too boggy to want to return by the same route, so started to formulate plan B. I continued on, but stopped when I got as far as Kinder Low. Looking at the map, it appeared that there was a path that would link me to the Pennine Bridleway at South Head, without me losing too much height. WRONG!

As the terrain came into view, I realised that I had misread just how many contour lines I was crossing, but decided that it was still a better option that retreating back across Brown Knoll. So, my next target/challenge was to make it onto the Bridleway before it went dark. I reckoned that the final 2.5 miles would be okay with just my headtorch, but in fact the moon was full so I didn't need to use the artificial light.

The beauty of staying out late is that you get to experience views like this one below.

Tignes

I've only ever skied once before at October 1/2 term, so set off with expectations of icy pistes, lots of sun, and lazy afternoons. We were staying with Mountainsun in Les Boisses and were delighted to wake up on the 1st morning to fresh snow. In the village! Conditions on the glacier were a little windy, and visibility wasn't amazing....but what fantastic snow!

Over the three days, we got a mixture of heavy snow and sunshine. The race teams that were trying to train, gave up attempting gates in the 70cm of fresh powder and just free skied. On a couple of occasions we thought that they may close the area due to high winds, but fortunately they didn't.

My only previous visit to Espace Killy had been at the end of April in 2004. I'd skied more on the Val d'Isere side, but was really impressed with the ski area as a whole. One thing that I hadn't noticed, that I did this time, was just how expensive the place is. Skiing a lot in Austria has got me used to being able to ski on a budget - and this was no place for a budget! We were staying chalet board, so didn't bother with lunch....after all, only wimps stop for lunch on a powder day!

Because free ski hire was included in the deal, I didn't take my own. I chose to try the Scott Realm. They handled well, and were good for the conditions, but I wasn't convinced to rush out and flog my B2s on ebay so that I could buy a pair.

All in all it was a good pre-season warm up. Just a shame I have to wait 3.5 months for the real season to kick off for me.

Corrour to Fersit

The past few days have been spent pottering round the Highlands, showing one of my friends around. It's her first visit up here, so we've done a bit round the Cairngorms, and been over to Skye. Today we decided to visit one of my favourite haunts and do a walk.

Taking advantage of having two cars, we dropped one off at Fersit, and drove to Tulloch station. From there we got the train to Corrour and after popping in to the Station House we set off for Fersit. The first hour or so s along a path that follows the shore of Loch Ossian. Beyond the Lodge, the route follows the private estate road as far as Strathossian, before heading up into the forest. A short while later it exits the woods and drops down into the hamlet of Fersit, crossing the railway line.

(Technical Data: distance = 20.5km, ascent = 300m)

Cairngorm

Having been slightly put off the thought of wild camping high up, I retreated to Aviemore and found a nice spot near there. The weather was cloudy and very windy, so I decided to have an easy day and tackle Cairngorm.

When they built the funicular railway there, it was written into the terms & conditions that outside of the ski season, passengers were not allowed out at the top. They were to be confined to the restaurant at the top. Walkers could also access the building, but had to be signed in and out by a member of staff. They have recently allowed walkers to buy a ticket down on the funicular, but if you want to go to the top, you have to walk up.

The wind was battering me, so I took refuge in the restaurant on the way up. There is quite a good exhibition there, and the hot chocolate was welcome. I hoped that the cloud would shift, but after an hour I gave up waiting and headed for the summit. The path is clear, and it didn't take long from the restaurant.

It not being a day for hanging around, I beat a hasty retreat back down the car, watching all the "captives" on the funicular. I bet my day was better than theirs!

(Technical Data: distance = 7.5km, ascent = 650m)

Glenshee

Sunday didn't really happen, as I got lost trying to find Loch An Daimh, to climb Meall Buidhe. I ended up having a nice drive round Glen Lyon though!

Yesterday I headed over to the Glenshee ski area, packed up the rucksack and set off for an overnight stop. Looking at the map, Loch Vrotachan seemed a good place to camp.

I set off for the summit of The Cairnwell, one of the most easily accessible Munros, as the top is only about 250m higher than the A93 that runs below it. You could even cheat and take the single seat chairlift up! After The Cairnwell, I headed round the ridge to Carn a Gheoidh. I then had a decision to make. To carry on and bag An Socach, or head round to the loch for a lazy evening.

As the weather was so good, I headed down, crossed Baddock Burn and up the other side to An Socach (dumping my rucksack at the point that I would have to return to). The climb up to An Socach wasn't too bad, but the summit plateau seemed to go on forever.

The slog back up to Loch Vrotachan was hard work, and I was glad to finally find a suitable spot to pitch the tent. Because of the terrain, I ended up high on the ridge. This wouldn't have been an issue had the weather forecast been correct.

At around 5.30 this morning I was woken abruptly by heavy rain on the tent and the distinct sound of thunder. This I could live with, but the accompanying lightning was more alarming. I racked my brain to try and remember what I'd been told about camping in an electrical storm, to come to the conclusion that I'd never been told!

I packed my rucksack and waited for a break in the weather. As I peered out of the tent, I could see that the storm was directly overhead. After what seemed like forever, the rain stopped (albeit for about 2 mins!) and I packed the tent away and ran back to the car. I'm not sure what the staff in the cafe thought this morning when they found me on their doorstep waiting for them to open for breakfast!

(Technical Data: distance = 17km, ascent = 1100m)

Schiehallion

While up in the Mamores in May, I'd taken some photos, and seen a peak that stood out from the others. On investigation, it appeared to be Schiehallion, which lies to the East of Rannoch Moor. While planning my summer trip, this was one of the mountains that I had in my sights.

I drove North yesterday, and camped at a site in Rannoch Forest. The weather was a bit cloudy this morning, but I had hopes that it would clear. It didn't!

The path up from the car park is well maintained by John Muir Trust who own part of the hill. But this only goes 2/3 of the way up. After this, there is a rocky section where you are hopping from one boulder to the next. At one point the cloud did break, but only for a matter of seconds. I reached the summit, and had a rest.

While at the top, I got chatting to a few people including two ladies who had a big dog with them. They set off down before me, but I soon caught up with, and overtook them. I was about 100m in front of them when I heard a yell and turned round to see one of them tumbling down the rocks. Years of carrying a 1st aid kit with me, for once it came in useful - although there was not a lot that I could do for the damaged ankle...the RAF helicopter had to take care of that.

I headed back down (very carefully!) and found a really nice campsite - Glengoulandie, which had a deer park attached.

(Technical Data: distance = 9.5km, ascent = 750m)

Scotland - D of E Supervisor

As I have done for the past 4 years, I took a group of students up to Scotland to do their D of E Gold expedition. This year we had three groups, who all started a different points, walked for two days towards Corrour, and then walked away from there for two days to their finish points.

After last year's drama, this year went far more smoothly. As usual, Claire lost her group on Sunday, and I had a bit of an epic trip one evening - but we all survived.

I thought that this was the best conversation I'd had with a group, but this trip had it's challenger. 7am, the morning after I've been out checking on a group until 1am, the emergency phone rings.

Me: "Hello"
Them: "Liz, there's some cows"
Me: "Yeah?"
Them: "But they're blocking our path"
Me: "I'm 1.5 hours drive away from you...what do you want me to do?"
Them: "It's okay, they've moved now"!!

And I'm supposed to be working with the creme de la creme :)

Swiss Summer

This is what Wengen should look like! Having not seen much in March, it was nice to arrive to good weather. Last May when I was here, we had heavy snow, so didn't get much walking done. This time it was far better.

I really wanted to do the walk from Schynige Platte to First, but the path was still covered in snow. The Eiger trail was open, despite still having a few snow patches, so I did that.


The alpine flowers were putting on a good show for all to see, and the cattle were just starting to get up to high pasture.


With the opening of the new rail tunnel, journey times to Zermatt have been cut dramatically, so we decided to take advantage and go for a day trip. I really am in awe of the place. The Matterhorn is just so dominant, and imposing, and the walking looked good. Definitely a place I want to return to again.

Fersit and the Forest

Having waved my dad off on the early train, I headed to Fersit, intending to climb Chno Dearg. As I set off from the car park, so did a minibus load of loud walkers, obviously with the same target in mind. Not wishing for such an intrusion on my planned solitude, I quickly changed my plan and decided to explore the lower paths, via Creag Dhubh and the Corrour Estate road.



My intention was to join the estate road by Strathossian and then head back into the forest, but a minor navigation error brought me out a couple of km north! I followed the road to where it joins the track back round to Fersit, and ignoring the FC notices telling me that logging was taking place and that I would die if I proceded without a hard hat, I continued on. On three separate occasions I was nearly trampled underfoot as deer decided to make a dash for it in front of me, but other than that I succeeded in getting my peace and quiet.

(Technical Data: distance = 18km, ascent = 300m)

The Pipeline

At the start of the 20th Century, a group of navvies built Blackwater dam and reservoir so that they could feed the aluminium smelter in Kinlochleven. The pipeline runs from the dam down into the village, a distance of around 7.5km and a 320m drop. They also built a pipeline linking Loch Eilde Mor to Blackwater reservoir, and it was the path by this pipeline that we walked along.



To spare my dad the initial slog, we parked at Mamore Lodge and followed the track up to Loch Eilde Mor, pausing regularly to marvel at the view back along Loch Leven. Once at Loch Eilde Mor, the track continues to Luibeilt, but we branched off, following the path round to the small dam at the Southern point of the loch.

Yesterday's rain was evident as we joined the path along the pipeline. There were a few patches where we had to detour to keep our feet dry, but generally it wasn't too bad. At the point where the pipeline started to swing back round to the East, we stopped for lunch, and then took the path steeply down towards the River Leven.

Upon arrival in Kinlochleven, I left my dad in the visitor centre and slogged back up to Mamore Lodge to fetch the car.

(Technical Data: distance = 13km, ascent = 490m)

Loch Ossian - Anticlockwise!

Having done this walk clockwise last time we decided to go the other way this time! The path to the South of the loch is a footpath, whereas to the North, it is the estate road.

Once again, the weather was perfect, and about 10 mins into the walk we bumped into one of my colleagues who was heading back after topping out Beinn na Lap! Despite the perfect weather, we only saw a handful of people all day - the perfect setting and peaceful. Thank goodness for wilderness without road access.

(Technical Data: distance = 14km, ascent = 150m)

Laraig Leacach

I'd arranged to meet up with my dad at Corrour, so left the car at Spean Bridge and set off through the Laraig Leacach. The first three miles were along a road, which was a bit of a trudge, despite being next to the river.

The turn off at Choirechoille was welcome, although this was still a well prepared track. It was obvious that it was used by logging vehicles, and much of the forest had been cleared. This was soon left behind, and the track entered into a narrow valley. Eventually I rounded a corner and saw the bothy. With the sun burning down, it was wonderful to sit in the cool bothy and have lunch. From notes in the visitors log, it appeared that others had enjoyed lunch there yesterday sheltering from the sun.


From the bothy to Loch Treig, the path followed the river. No longer a track, in places it was overvcome by peat bog, although in the dry weather this didn't pose too much of a problem. A delghtful short section through a gorge brought some welcome shade, followed by the forst sighting of the loch.

I passed by the boarded up Creaguaineach Lodge and joined the track round the loch head, and up towards Corrour. I opted for the direct route alongside the railway line, assuming correctly that the bog wouldn't be too bad. Like the bothy and Loch Treig earlier, the station house wasn't visible until I was very close. Having been out in the heat and sun all day, the cold shower I had on arrival was wonderful!!

(Technical Data: distance = 25km, ascent = 750m)

The Mamores

Saturday
I parked at Gray Mare's Tail carpark in Kinlochleven, and set off without too much of a definite plan. I knew that I wanted to camp high, and had my sights set on doing a couple of the Munros at the Eastern end of the Mamores. At the time it seemed like a good idea not to park at Mamore Lodge Hotel - although with hindsight it would have saved me an awkward descent.


The path out of the carpark rises steeply up to where it joins the landrover track to Luibeilt. Shortly after, the path around Sgurr Eilde Beag became visible and took me up to the lochan where I thought I may camp. Once I'd decided that doing the whole range in 2 days would be hard work, I homed in on a vague plan to do Sgurr Eilde Mor and Binnean Beag on Sat, and then Binnean Mor and Na Gruagaichean on Sunday. In my quest to keep the rucksack weight down, I'd conveniently decided against taking the guide book with me, and as I got to the lochan, I realised that none of the paths were obvious! The other "problem" was that the descent between the lochan and the path to Binnean Beag was far bigger that I'd expected.

I set off to climb Sgurr Eilde Mor, and was soon overtaken by a group who seemed to know the route (always helpful!). About 1/2 way up I decided to abandon the rucksack, and was able to continue at a far quicker pace. The path near the top was steep, and the loose rock made it hard going. Eventually I reached the summit to discover that the group that had overtaken me were celebrating one of their number having completed all 284 Munros!

The descent down the top section was een hairier than going up, but I managed to collect my rucksck and make it back down to the lochan where I set up camp.

Sunday
Having had a fitful night's sleep, I managed to lie in until 8.30. My plan was to follow a path (marked on the map) up to the ridge between Sgurr Eilde Beag and an unnamed top. Once on the ridge I would be able to see Binnean Mor and Na Gruagaichean and decide between these. Not having brought a daysack with me, I set off with my compass in my camera bag and my platypus in my hand. Talk about travelling light!

The path to the ridge was clear, until about 3/4 of the way up when it traversed a snow field. Crossing this was okay, but 50m below the ridge I met another one - except this time it was vertical! Having come this far, I wasn't going to turn around, so I found a couple of sharp roks that I could use to assist with handholds and started kicking steps into the snow. Once safely on the ridge, I decided that I need to find an alternative way down!

As I walked to the unnamed top, I could see the path clearly on both ridges. I opted for Binnean Mor and soon reached the summot. I got chatting to a local who helped me out by describing a better route for my descent back to camp.

I headed back to the unnamed top and took the other ridge to Na Gruagaichean. This ridge was rockier than the previous one, but still had an obvious path. All the while, on both ridges, I had a great view of a cloud free Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg Arete in one direction, and Bidneam Nam Bian and Glencoe in the other.


The descent back to camp meant retracing my route back to the unnamed top (again!) and then along the ridge to Sgurr Eilde Beag, with the red cairn marking the path down.

I'd packed up everything bar the tent in the morning, so it didn't take too long to strike camp and begin the long trek down. By this time both my feet were aching and it was tempting to stay another night, but I resisted the urge.

I descended to Loch Eilde Mor by a different path to the one i'd walked up. This way meant a long walk along the lochside track. The steep descent into Kinlochleven was a killer - next time I definitely park at Mamore Lodge!

(Technical Data: distance = 24km, ascent = 1850m)

Flask Edge/Brown Edge

It's not been a great day weatherwise, but I still fancied a bit of a walk. I had intended to go a little further than I managed, but I guess anything is better than nothing!

Like White Edge, this is an area that I've not done much, so I just had a short wander across the moor, via the trig point. If the day had been better, there would hae been good views across Sheffield, but today wasn't showing much!

Burbage Moor

Unlike White Edge, Burbage Moor is one of the places I visit almost on a weekly basis. But there was one part that I'd never been to - the trig point.

I'd been busy earlier on, but late afternoon I decided that I needed to escape, so headed up to Burbage and found the trig. It's not that far from the bridleway I often use, but just enough out of the way not to be obvious. Having righted that omission, I headed back to the bridleway, and did my usual round walk along Burbage Edge and then back along the road. As I headed back to my car, wearing a T-shirt, I saw this amusing sign below!



(Technical Data: distance = 7km, ascent = 100m)

White Edge

There are certain areas of the Peak District that I know like the back of my hand, yet other nearby, popular places that I rarely venture to. White Edge is among the latter. Having had an early finish from work, I headed out in that direction. Despite the good weather, there were only a handful of people around, and most of them were running.

I walked South along the edge, before deciding to head across country towards the disused Barbrook reservoir. As I dropped down off the edge, I realised that the ground wasn't as dry as i'd anticipated, and was much tougher terrain to walk across. Being the wuss that I am, I only walked about 2km before I headed back across to the comfort of the edge and heading back to the car.

(Technical Data: distance = 8.25km, ascent = 150m)

Kinder

As we usually do, we go to Upper Booth for one of the practice weekends. The campsite there is great, and there is easy access onto Kinder Scout. Like last weekend, this one wasn't without it's dramas - several students missed the train. They waited for the next one, which then broke down!

This year, we decided to introduce some training on the practices, so instead of the groups walking a long way, we tested their navigation and 1st aid skills. And, surprisingly, they were all brilliant! Maybe there is hope after all :)

Bleaklow

It's that time of year again....I'm out supervising D of E groups on practice expeditions. This weekend the groups were up on Kinder/Bleaklow, and the first group I went to see were walking across Bleaklow from Alport Castles. They were late, but turned up okay (one lad was missing the sole of a shoe, and another lost his sleeping bag!). The second group, that I shouldn't have had anything to do with, phoned up to say that they had a medical issue, and the third group where nowhere to be found! They did eventually turn up, having had a really tough day. It was cold, very cold.

Today was better - two groups made it to the end okay. The other one had more medical issues, but finally got to the bus stop just in time! And to think, this is supposed to be fun!

Zell am See......again!

I'm getting to know Zell quite well now!

You never know quite what snow conditions are going to be like later on in the season, but we couldn't have asked for better. It just kept snowing! I'd originally gone for a week, but decided that I couldn't go home and leave snow like that, so I booked myself into a B&B, sorted out a flight, and stayed an extra 5 days.

The best thing about skiing at this time of year, is that the clocks have changed, giving you some light into the evening. I'd always fancied walking round the lake, so gave it a go one evening - it took about 3 hours, but that was at a fairly leisurely pace.

I'd skied in Zell a number of times, but never skied Kaprun Maiskogel, so I made that one of my aims. I think I was the only person out skiing, as I can't recall seeing more than 3 other people all day. A nice little area that I hope to get to return to at some point.