South Harris Stroll
February 19, 2009 on 4:26 pm | In Hillwalking | No Comments
Saturdays when the wind is howling and the tops of the hills are shrouded in mist are not normally the type of day I would be looking forwards to going out hillwalking. But if you are wanting to train people to navigate in difficult conditions on difficult ground the hills of South Harris and a low cloud base are perfect.
Don and I were taking out Duke of Edinburgh Award leaders for some navigation training. Our mission was to look at how micro-navigation and macro-navigation can be used. We wanted to look at how pacing, bearings and timings could be use however more important is where their limitations lay.
Leaving from the parking place on the West end of the ‘coffin road’ just above Luskyntyre we followed the track for a short while before I started picking small features to navigate too. During the navigation there were successes and several failures but how is it the old saying goes ‘you don’t learn from success’.
Lunch was taken under the shelter of a small overhanging cliff and then the weather gave us a good blast and mixed in drizzle to test the waterproofs.
I enjoyed the day and it just reinforced to me the need for the basic navigation skills of map and compass ready for the day the batteries are flat on your GPS and mobile phone and it would be quite nice to get home, safely.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
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More Exploring Uist
February 5, 2009 on 11:00 pm | In Hillwalking | 1 Comment
I am co-authoring a Guide Book to Sea Kayaking in the Outer Hebrides for Pesda Press and one of the areas I have to cover in the East coast of Uist. I am down working but the weather is a little wild so the kayak has stayed ashore. I have paddled the coast but I needed to visit Loch Coradail between Thecla and Beinn Corradail. There are some examples of hut circles and a wheel house there which I needed to photograph.
So my Sunday morning dawned with wall to wall blue sky and a bitter cold easterly wind. I parked at Loch Sgiopoirt and walked over the shoulder of Maol Martaig. Visiting the souterains on Thecla’s eastern shoulder on my way. The heather was deep, the ground difficult but the views breathtaking over the Minch. I was treated to a herd of deer who for quite while seemed little bothered by my presence until gently trotting south.
The hut circles didn’t disapoint me and as I sat drinking some stream water and stuffing a chocolate bar, it was the realisation I was the only person for miles which was most profound.
As I sat back at the car I had the wonderful warmth of knowing I had stolen one of winters best days.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Exploring Uist
January 31, 2009 on 1:50 pm | In Hillwalking | No Comments
I find it is only when you spend time to get under the skin of a place do you start to discover all its querks and fobals. I have spent time here in Uist but usually I am working and squash the exploring round the work. This time I am down working but I have some time for me.
I went to a great lecture this week from Tracey Begg from Scottish Natural Heritage about the insects of the Outer Hebrides. It was facinating and I was interested in the Great Yellow Bumble Bee (bombus distinuendus). It lives in adapted mouse nests in colinies of 20 - 50 bee. It only has a small foothold left and amazingly I realised they visit our back garden.
I have been exploring the machair near Borve Guest House by just walking out of the front door. The slow undulations bring unexpected corners, where you discover small flocks of birds sheltering from the wind. On the beach there are huge piles of seaweed and I was suprised to see flies even in the middle of the winter. I would be doing you a dis-service if I didn’t mention the smell but won’t linger on it.
I am off to walk the coast of Eriskay when the rain stops and tommorrow I am hoping to walk into the back of Hecla to the lighthouse.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Early Winter Climbing on Ben Nevis
November 3, 2008 on 11:05 am | In Outdoor Climbing, Hillwalking, Uncategorized | No Comments
The good, cold weather has been with us for a week now and ice is forming. It’s been a great early start to the winter and plenty of climbing has been done by those ready and able to jump on the crags.
Donald and I had a day out on Ben Nevis today and we were surprised at how much ice there is in the drainage lines. It was very wet before it went cold and it has been cold now for a week so gullies such as Point Five Gully and Green Gully, and drainage lines such as Waterfall Gully and The Curtain all have a reasonable amount of ice in them.
The highest crags were well rimed up as well so we went up North Gully on Creag Coire na Ciste to reach the very steep wall above. We climbed a groove / chimney between Place Your Bets and North Gully Left Branch which was quite hard at the start (VII,8) but eased off to give great chimney climbing and a through route to escape onto the plateau. There was a peg and some tat under the through route so it might have been climbed before - if anyone knows please get in touch.
Mike Pescod
http://www.abacusmountaineering.com
Mountain Guide and Instructor with a passion for the hills. Scottish winter climbing is my favourite but scrambling, rock climbing, walking and ice climbing here and in the Alps are pretty good too!
Perfect Winter Walking in the Mamores
November 3, 2008 on 10:42 am | In Scrambling, Hillwalking, Uncategorized | No Comments
Days like today are rare in November and should be made the most of. Warm sunshine, crisp air, pristine snow and amazing colours in the hills made it a brilliant day to be out in the hills. The snow is down to 600m and has been for a week now with sub-zero temperatures. Christine, Davie and I went for a walk up the North Ridge of Stob Ban in the Mamores. Where the snow was in the shade and had been walked on it was compacted and icy so we wore the crampons on the steep, scrambling section going up to the North Top of Stob Ban. This is beyond simple walking and a very good head for heights is required plus some ability in basic scrambling.
After a Forfar Bridie on top we carried on around to the Devil’s Ridge and up to Sgurr a’Mhaim. This is a very narrow and exposed section of ridge with a really tricky step at the narrowest bit. Again, great care is needed but in the perfect conditions we found with no wind we were able to take our time. We made it up Sgurr a’Mhaim to see the brilliant light on Ben Nevis from the afternoon sun before facing the unrelenting walk down back to the Lower Falls in Glen Nevis. Altogether, a fantastic day out.
Mike Pescod
http://www.abacusmountaineering.com
Mountain Guide and Instructor with a passion for the hills. Scottish winter climbing is my favourite but scrambling, rock climbing, walking and ice climbing here and in the Alps are pretty good too!
Visit the Arran Outdoor Festival
August 21, 2008 on 11:04 pm | In Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Hillwalking | 1 Comment
With the summer nearly over, we all need things to look forward to … and the second annual Arran Outdoor Festival is only 4 weeks away (18-22 Sept 08). There will be a fantastic selection of guided walks, from the high peaks to coastal and forestry walks with experienced local guides. Stagecoach have laid on buses from the pier in Brodick, so be “green” by leaving your car on the mainland and you’ll also save some money on the ferry fare (only £8.95 for a return adult foot passenger).
There is also a great choice of adventure activities, including Sea Kayaking, Climbing and Gorge Walking with the Arran Adventure Company (www.arranadventure.com) who are offering a special deal for the festival of “2 for the price of 1″. If you enjoy a challenge, why not sign up for the Adventure Triathlon? This combines a 10km run, the Lamlash Splash (swim from Holy Isle to Lamlash!) and the mountain bike trailquest, which is part of the national league. Or, just pick one event!
The Safari Supper will be popular with a visit to three different eateries around Brodick, followed by an evening of “live” folk music in the Ormidale Hotel Bar. Corrie Village Hall will be the venue for the mountain film night, with epic adventure stories to inspire you. For more information, check out the festival website www.arranoutdoorfestival.co.uk. Advance bookings are essential for most events, so contact the Arran Adventure Company to book your place on 01770 302244 or by email: info@arranadventure.com.
Suzanne Sell
http://www.arranadventure.com
Working for the Arran Adventure Company. Sea kayaking sorts me out! There are some fantastic coastal locations to explore around the Isle of Arran and it has become so popular that there is a thriving new club that meets on a weekly basis.
Running like the wind or perhaps running from the hail?
February 24, 2008 on 9:31 pm | In Hillwalking, Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Sometimes the Hebrides has the ability to take your breath away both physically and methaphorically.
As the final run in the training for the Mighty Deer Stalker next weekend, I went out with Mike. Mike had just bought a new camera and was keen to take some pictures. So with the blue skies punctuated with vicious showers we decided to go for a run. Mike suggested the West Coast of Lewis from the Gearrannan Black House Village up to Shawbost where we parked my car. Jayne dropped us off and was then going to take the kid’s for a walk.
The wind was a strong westerly so we were in for a push but the thing is westerlies bring showers.
The first hill was a killer and I was glad when Mike stopped to get the camera out.
Running on, we rose and fell to reach each headland, time and again we were treated to another stunning vista.
The running was varied with very little level ground, I am convinced there was more up hill than down though.
As we ran, we became aware of an impending sense of doom, each time we glanced over our shoulders there was gathering cloud, threatening to deliver its payload on us.
It was noticable the pace quickened and as we crested the hill above Dalbeag, we were suddenly being pushed along by the freshening wind. First there was a few flecks of rain in the air, then the rain got a little harder, then it got much ‘harder’ as it turned to hail. By this time we were hurtling head long over the bog, we could see the car, all be it about half a mile away. The dogs were haring in front of us, perhaps a sign?
The backs of my legs were stinging, to the point I thought it might cut the skin. Through the pain I heard Mike’s cheery comment ‘Just wait until they get to the size of golf balls’. I ran faster.
The shelter of the car was a welcome restbite and the heater even better.
Thanks to Mike for the pictures, I am looking fowards to more runs with the camera . ‘Oh look there is a great picture … shall we stop for a second?’
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
