Prepping For Next Biking Season

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Yup the Outer Hebrides can be enjoying sunshine whilst Skye is covered by the clag.

Backpacking and camping!  Yer obviously made of sterner stuff than I, as that great writer on backpacking Chris Townsend says, well I'm just dipping my toes in!

There's nothing like being on top of a nice big hill on a fine day, yes even more so if you have the hill all to yourself.

Have you tried Arran?  Would make a good stop for a few days walking.  Not so sure about the campsite in Glen Rosa though, always looks a bit grim to me.

Looking over at Cir Mhor whist working my way down off North Goatfell;




Watch out for the snow melt though!  Getting my boots off ready to go in.  The water was up to my dangly bits - never been so cold in my life, and was lucky to stay upright.  Learned quite a few things that day about winter walking - the hard way - doh!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Think I'll have to start a landscape photography/backpacking/hill walking thread!
I wouldn't say I'm made of sterner stuff - apart from seeing some light dustings on the tops in the Lakes, I haven't braved those winter snow conditions!
 
A couple of the places I pitched camp, again, in the Lakes region:
 
 

[VNA - BMW Wank]

I just stick to the easy routes in winter.  I try to avoid steep slopes that can hold a lot of snow.  I also learned last winter that any route that mentions even an easy scramble I should avoid (more becuase I walk by myself)  I pay attention to the mountain weather and avalanche forecast.

You wouldn't believe what you'll see on certain popular hills in winter - anything goes.  I did  Schiehallion back at the beginning of February (very popular hill) and it was nuts.  Was a beautiful day, you were walking on snow 15 minutes from the car park, clear blue skies and no wind.  But looking at the hill I could see there was a cloud and bit of white haze around the summit.  I figured it might be a bit breezy up on the top.


The car park was full, cars parked down the road and all over the place, the hill was jumping, though the upper reaches of the hill were much quieter, most folks turned back.

I saw guys in jeans, a fella with a massive camera backpack and tri-pod who said he was heading for the top, though the look on his pissed off girl friend suggested otherwise.  Two young ladies with matching pink handbags and pink wellies.  I bumped into three guys wearing parka jackets, combat trousers and drinking cans of cider and guinness on the summit, one of them was complaining that his boot kept coming off, and he has his sock off to empty the snow out of it!  Wasn't too bad when I was on the summit, but on leaving the wind kicked up, the kind off wind you can lean into and it'll hold you up.  The spin drift can really cut into you, popped on my cheap ski goggles and saw the three lads running past me a full tilt perhaps in fear of their lives!  I watched em run doon the hill a bit and saw one fella go head over heel and a boot flying off up into the air.  Bet he froze that foot and I'll bet it hurt thawing out.  Couldn't get a shot of em as my camera had frozen at that point, warmed it up inside my jacket.

Was walking on snow and ice two weeks ago on Aonach Beag and Mor (was over 4000 feet though), absolutely perfect day, but the price for such a day seems to be weeks of shite weather. 

Naw, but backpacking, that's hardcore Sir.  Was thinking maybe next summer I should really pick a fine hill, wait for a guid day and head up in the evening, watch the sun go down, have a wee bivvy bag kip, and watch it come back up again.  Sort of dip ma foot in. 

Anyway Schiehallion;





The wind picking up;

[Hedgetrimmer]

I really enjoyed some easy scrambles in the Lakeland fells. Nothing too tricky. There's a nice bit towards the top of Haystacks, above Buttermere - a load of old Japanese ladies and gents managed to negotiate it! And on the corridor route on Scafell, there's just one little bit where you're on a narrow, crumbly ledge and a bit of a scramble to it. With the big pack, had to face the wall and edge around - bit of a drop into the gully if you got it wrong, but saw all kinds doing the route. I was worried about such bits before I got to them cos of my gammy arm and shoulder - limits my options for hand holds a little, but I always managed when I encountered any thing like that, and enjoyed doing it.
 
Haystacks, and from the route:
 
 

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Don't mind a wee bit of scrambling, just not in winter!

I dropped off the wrong side of the hill on Scafell for the route I was taking.  I had my first proper experience of being just a bit lost on that hill. 

There's another thing about backpacking, I dunno if I could carry it all.  I've been getting obsessed about weigh recently, particularly as I've had knee issues.  Gone is the big slr replaced by a micro 4/3rds digi cam, but even that baby is a kg.  Can't cut out the camera though.

Yeah I did Liathach last year.  Spoke to the fella at the hostel I was staying, he reckoned I'd be fine.  Was a perfect day, but yeah I felt at times my rucksack was trying to kill me, and had to turn and face the rock going down which I hate.  I hadn't planned to do that one whilst I was away that time, so it wasn't till I got back down the road that I referred to my big guide book, seems it's considered a serious undertaking - consider hiring a guide and all that.  I am beginning to think the guide books over egg it a bit, but then perhaps they have to. 

The Lakes look great, but a bit too busy at times.

Liathach;

[Hedgetrimmer]

Oh sod it - it's my thread and if we wanna talk backpacking for a bit.......
 
I heard about that one on Scafell, was told you're supposed to have some proper climbing skills for that. I think I'll have to take up climbing in my next life, love reading all the books on it.
Liathach is on my list of ones I've got to photo, as are An Teallach and many others. I started doing my long distance backpacking because of a book by Mark Wallington called 500 mile walkies, where he takes a dog around the SW coast path (not his dog, he borrowed one). I had been unemployed for some years and was climbing the walls (pun not intended!) and thought, I could do that. So I sold a few bits and pieces to buy the kit - all cheap crappy Millets gear, weighed a ton. A mate joined me for the first week out from Minehead, but had knee problems and had to jack it in. I carried on. Did about 200 miles, it took a month (but hey, I was unemployed, no hurry!) Loved every minute.
I also like a bit of watercolour painting now and again, and particularly like the accessible style of David Bellamy (not the botanist) who's books about painting in the wild places of Britain I love. So I basically started to think, I want to see all those wonderful scenes for myself. So next, I planned a walk across Wales, which I did from Chepstow to Conwy. But both times I didn't have a camera. So then, when I finally found work again, I started to go visit all those places by bike, this time with a camera. But although I thoroughly enjoy all that, it just isn't the same as being on foot, no time constraints, go where you want, when you want. Everyone should have the chance to do something like that at least once in their life.
Then, I got this current job, saved up 6 months, bought all the best light weight kit (about £2500 worth), handed my notice in, and buggered off to do my 2 month trip to the Lake District. I would've got a job up there too, only I couldn't seem to sort out any accommodation while I found my feet - maybe I just didn't try hard enough for some reason. Got home, only to be asked to go back to my job - that's luck I don't see a lot of!
 
So now I've got all this quality backpacking kit, but no time to keep the fitness up to use it. But oh boy, is it ever lighter than that first "Millets special" set up I used to use! I could never have dragged that stuff up all the tops I did in the Lakes, but despite gammy knees myself, if I had the time to ease back into it, I know I could still do it. A lot of things in my current kit are designed to be multi purpose which also saves weight. There are loads of places out there that advise on going lightweight as well as selling the kit, and it's a side to the whole thing that's quite addictive, easy to become a real kit-head! Expensive tho 
 
A shot of (I think) Bow Fell, from a very boggy slog up to top of High Raise, and a shot from above Easedale Tarn, on the way over to the Langdale Pikes:
 
 

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Wow, those are quite some backpacking adventures.

I love the idea of it, the freedom, the romance, living in the wilds and all that.

But then I think of trying to set up a tent in the pouring rain and so forth.

Aye fitness.  Mines improved a good wee bit, I've just gotta keep it going and try and build on it more.  Giving up smoking might help!

Compared to where I was a few years ago, struggling to get up any sort of hill, repeatedly injuring my knees etc, well I'm chuffed to be getting up some big hills on a fairly regular basis, or should that be irregular considering the weather.  I'm not minded to head out unless there's a good chance of seeing the view from the top of the hill. 

But then there's those machines out there.  When I was up Aonach Beag and Mhor, I met a fella who in his words had just popped over from The Grey Corries and was eyeing up Ben Nevis and headed off apparently to pop over to the Ben, then back down somewhere in Glen Nevis where he was camping.  To me those two hills, the Aonachs represent a full days strenuous walking, never mind adding on another up to another 6 hills!  Wasn't your good self I bumped into Nick, was it?

Also met Mollie, the first dog to have been recorded as having dome a round of the Corbetts, and of course her owner.  She told me she'd been round the Munros 6 times!  Not sure I'll ever get round once!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Nah, not me mate! I did quite well all things considered, but my method is a steady plod. I did carry all the heavy old kit to the top of Cadair Idris, huffing and puffing on the last long stretch, and a couple of guys up there could barely lift my pack off the ground - all technique tho! Had a ciggy as soon as I sat down at the top 
Scotland! Ah, a real challenge that always seemed to me. Everything is so much more remote, I really don't know how you can do it without camping. Not sure I'd want to do those walks without an ice axe, maybe even crampons in some of the conditions your pics show? That would definitely be a step up from what I've done. Conditions can get pretty severe up there, you hear of some pretty grim tragedies when the weather turns suddenly. Doesn't that kind of thing worry you? Or just a case of watching the mountain forecast carefully before you go?

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Had a ciggy as soon as I sat down at the top 

 

Who knows, maybe I'll try a wee overnight backpack sometime.    Though having said that some of the more remote hills I've been looking at, well a mountain bike might be the answer (ie to avoid backpacking or using bothies!).  So maybe going to try a wee bit cycling again, though it's cycling that gave me my first knee injury, and I think it keeps coming back and biting me - but that's another story.

All technique?  A good bit of impressive strength and determination too I say!

[locksmith]

Why do people go places like that?
Not a Mcdonalds in sight

[Grahamm]

Why do people go places like that?
Not a Mcdonalds in sight

I think you've just answered your own question

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Not sure I'd want to do those walks without an ice axe, maybe even crampons in some of the conditions your pics show? That would definitely be a step up from what I've done. Conditions can get pretty severe up there, you hear of some pretty grim tragedies when the weather turns suddenly. Doesn't that kind of thing worry you? Or just a case of watching the mountain forecast carefully before you go?

I guess driving to work down the power station access road did it to me.  Everyday seeing the Arran hills covered in snow.

Yes crampons and axe are really a must.  If you take only one of the two, take the axe.  The axe is handy for getting up steep slopes, using as a tool on wee slippy bits etc, but it's real purpose is to stop you in the event of a fall - self arrest.  When ever you are on or near steep slopes that you could potentially slide down you should have the axe in your hand.  There's a few good u-tube videos showing you the various uses of the axe.  And you are supposed to practise self arrest.  I need to do a bit more of that.  Found a nice steep slope last winter with a safe run out, so I figured, why not, and flung myself down it, then tried to get on the axe as per video.  Didn't quite get it right, I got it in but it was slipping from my hands, so I hung on for dear life, it bit, but bloody hell my shoulder hurt like hell afterwards. So I need more practise but hopefully, fingers crossed, I'll never ever have to use it in anger.

You need reasonably stiff boots for crampons.  Worth practising getting them on and off, it's easy, but you don't wanna be mucking about with them on the hill.  I take my gloves off to get em on, so you want em on quick.  Just a matter of reading a little on their use.  Brilliant things.  The one thing to watch out for is snagging em on your gaiters, my gaiters have a few holes punched in em where I caught the crampon and subsequently fell flat on my face - apparently for a few of folks that's the last thing they ever do.  But you just learn to walk like John Wayne.

At the end of the day I'm just going out for a walk, I'm not a climber.  Most outings you end up carrying the axe and crampons attached to your bag all day.  If the surface of the snow is soft you don't need the crampon. 

The weather forecasts are good, I like the Mountain Weather Information Service http://www.mwis.org.uk/index.php

I'm looking for a good chance of clear tops, little or no precipitation, and ideally winds less than 30mph.  Wind chill can really cut you in winter.   

Avalanche forecast is the other thing to check - http://www.sais.gov.uk/

And just like summer, when things can get nasty too, it's knowing when to, and being able to take the decision to turn back - summit fever is a terrible thing!

But I mean pick a good day, a safe route (though some can throw up the odd surprise), check the avalanche forecasts (even though you think your route is safe), and go, gotta be a darn sight less dangerous than riding a motorcycle - is it not?

[Hedgetrimmer]

Ha, that depends on how you ride 
 
At least that's one thing you can do if you're backpacking - pitch the tent and wait for the worst to pass. I did a beginners course in mountain navigation when in the Lakes last year and really enjoyed learning a couple more things to help me look after myself, and wish I could do more. I even looked into costs of a guided trek to K2 in the Karakoram, but that's just dreams I guess. So much I missed out on in this life, that I won't get to do now. Ever thought of going somewhere like that with the camera? I reckon you could turn out some really good work with what those places have to offer.
Yes, I thought you'd be using axe and crampons - sensible precautions. I think checking snow layers for avalanche conditions would probably be in your skill set too?
Be careful about overnight-ing in the hills tho - it's VERY addictive!
Now tho, all my plans involve bikes. Things would have to change drastically for me to be able to go back to the hills on foot. So next year it's aim for the Alps on the bike. Mountains, always mountains! They really get in your blood, don't they?!

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Plenty of folks have had their tents destroyed by severe winter weather in the highlands

Loads of hills here in Scotland to keep me busy!

I thought you'd be using axe and crampons - sensible precautions. I think checking snow layers for avalanche conditions would probably be in your skill set too?
Be careful about overnight-ing in the hills tho - it's VERY addictive!

It's more a case of carrying em.  I do love it when you get nice crisp icy snow and have the chance to get the old crampons on, you can make good progress with em.  If the snow is really soft and plentiful, I learned the hard way (again), it's best to keep the walk short or turn back, it just knocks the shit out of you and it's asking for knee trouble.


I keep to ridges, avoid concave slopes which hold snow etc.  I don't know much about reading the snow and I'm not sure I want to, that might start me doing things I'm not sure I want to do.  Glenmore Lodge do courses in all that kind of stuff, though from what I've read they can be quite full on.

I just see it as going for a hill walk, but there's snow about, I'm not doing the full on front pointing crampons pulling myself up slopes with axes and stuff, just trying to follow relatively safe ridge routes.   And anything that mentions a scramble I forget about it, winter scrambling is proper climbing as far as I am concerned.   

I've had a few cracking days when there's been zero wind and you can just sit on the top of the hill soaking up the sun taking in the view, even taking a 15 minute kip in the sun.  It's just waiting for those windows of opportunity.