Me, Monica, Andy, Lara and a new entry to the ski touring line up Scott went for a ski up Morvern. 
We set off with a beautiful morning sun behind us. First off we had to carry our skis up through the forest until there was enough snow to put the skis on and off we went. Was quite a long approach, but well worth it. The weather was brilliant and we could see for miles, over past Loch Nagar and further.
As we got closer to the top, the last 3 days of high winds began to show its damaged. The snow was reduced to the ice layer below. Still, it made the up easier.
Andy on the Cairn at the top – unfotuntaley I looked away just after I took this picture, as he fell off and landed in a huge pile at the bottom of it.
The ski down was not the best snow I have ever skied due to the ice but still enjoyable non the less. A great day out skiing again in the hills, weather, friends and a bit of snow. Awesome.
The rest of the pictures can be seen here
When you look at the weather forecast the day before and it says it is going to be gusting up to 90mph up high and raining hard down low, what the hell do you do for the day. Scott and I had a great idea, the idea was thought up at abotu 11pm in the pub the day before after quite a few glasses of stupid juice had been emptied.
So we woke up in the morning and packed our bags and set of to the quarry at Cambus O’May to have a go at aid climbing. This is where you climb up the wall using the bits of protection you have put in and slowly work your way up.
So take one slightly hung over Mr. Burnett, point him at the rather blank wall except for a flake that went up, a lot of shiny metal things and a rope and you get a slow upward motion.
Scott kind of does this for his job so was well up on it and had no issues. The Quarry below still had some of the old machinery in it and was quite a pleasant sheltered place to spend a horrible weather day.
Next up was me, having commited to memory what Scott did, I set off. soon I had ropes and bits of shiny stuff all over the place and took me quite a concerted effort not to make cats cradle.
After a bit of effort I fianlly made it to the top and really enjoyed it, both of us were pretty soaked through as the wall had a small water fall running down it. We had to pack up quick and get moving to get warm again.
I really enjoyed it and could see myself doing more of this.
So up early on Saturday and drove to the bridge of Invercauld where we met Scott, Helen, Alan and Pete. The aim of the Day was Culardoch. A hill north of braemar, one we had not been to before.
It was a long gradual ski up through the forest on gradual paths that finally threw us out onto the big open area from where we could at least see what we where aiming for
The sun came out and it turned into a lovely climb to the top.
Once at the top we sat and admired the view, it was up there with some of the best I have had of this bonnie place. From here on the left Beinn A’Bhuird can be seen and the start of Garbh Choire
We all threw some food down out necks, changed our skis into the downhill modes and went for it.
It was brilliant fun, the snow was in great condition, it had consolidated enough for us not to break through to the heather and all sorts of woops and shouts were heard going on as we skied down the hill.
From the bottom we had a short skin up to the start of the forest and a great gentle ski down through it to the cars. A fairly long day for this time of year and the sun was setting just as we got drove off. Lara did her normal trick after skiing all day in the car – fell asleep. So I amused my self singing loudly all the way home.
Sunday a different approach was to be taken. We decided to go climb on Clach Na Bienn and due to Matt and Emma not having skis we decided we will walk up. What a mistakea to makea!
The small crag can be seen in the back ground, 2 hours of thigh deep snow trudging up to the small rocky outcrop on the top. We were all fairly buggered by the time we got there, the wind had picked up and spindrift was everywhere! spirits were not high to go climbing. We found a small sheltered hollow in the crag and got changed into some dry clothes and had some food. I also would like to thank my wife for one of my xmas presents. A thermos flask. Hot ribena is the bollocks when you can’t feel your hands and it warms you up beautifully. shall take that everywhere with me this winter.
So with spirits and warm restored we decided to climb Southeast Gully. A very easy short gully. It was our first winter route of the season.
What ensued was all four of us swimming in soft snow and not quite frozen turf up it with varying degrees of foul language being used from each of us. The one you would least expect it from was the worst! Potty mouth Lara!!!!!
A great weekend playing in the Scottish winter hills. There are great conditions out there for skiing at the moment, and long may it last. I love living here, can you tell!
Click here to see all the rest of the pictures from the weekend.
Everywhere else you look people are showing there snow pictures, so whilst I was outside digging a clearing for Lara to park her car, I grabbed the camera
So this is the state of play in Crombie Drive. There is loads. I have resisted the urge to make igloos like last time (thus far!) We have even had icicles this year, never seen them on the house before
Enough raffle, I need to go get the ski stuff ready, the forecast is looking good for this weekend! Excited is an understatement.
So racing up to Cairngorm at an unsociable hour, we get our skis out of the van and pear up to a very white looking mountain. This is very unusual for Scotland, there would usually be some brown patches at least. But today it is all white. excited we head off up the hill.
After a while we get to the top of Cairngorm, the wind is bitter cold and the temperature is around -15 with the wind chill – below is Lara with added ice
From the top we went West down on to the Cairngorm plateau and down Raibert’s Gully. The snow was great but in true fashion for this area, we could not see a thing!
Once at the bottom, off with the skins and out with the map and compass, it was time to get off the plateau as it was just soooooo cold. It was an easy decision to make to quite our longer ski plans and make an escape down The ridge into Corrie an Cas, we just had to find it! So with the use of the map and compass we slowly made our way off.
200m lower than the plateau it clears and we can see where we are and what we are doing. we enjoyed a ski back down in to the ski area and back to the van. A great first ski and decided that we are really looking forward to the season ahead with all this snow here!
Lara and I both went down south to Surrey for Xmas chez Tadeusz. On Xmas eve we went into London and went ice skating. Strangely enjoyable! I used to skate as a kid in Norway and this was the first time i had been back. I was not quite the Bambi I was expecting.
Xmas day was spent with some Tadeusz old family friends in Sussex, a weird and wonderful affair involving swedish traditions of dancing around the garden and schnapps.
Thank you all for our presents! I was spoilt this year! Hope you all had a wonderful Xmas day and got all the things you wrote on your list to Santa
The Blog of Dave Lara, Ellis and Freddy 
