The Burma Road

With the weather being so changeable mountain biking has been a good option recently, as it's possible to feel like you've had a good day out with lots of exercise in a half-day weather window! I went to do one of the classics of Cairngorm mountain biking---The Burma Road. This route, apparently named after it's Second World War namesake, starts with a bruising sustained climb that truly tests what's in your legs! After the pain there is a long, fast rocky descent to drop to the beautiful River Dulnain, with its Caledonian pines. Undulating twin-track leads via a couple of fabulous General Wade bridges, eventually bringing you into Carrbridge. Supposed to be picking up and be more summery later this week. Here's hoping for a warmer June!

Candian Ski-mountaineering

As promised here is a home video from the footage of our trip to the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada during April and May. Bringing back good memories looking at it now, but there was a lot of pain and bushwhacking at the time!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS42L-BSi0s&feature=youtu.be

Adventure with a capital 'A' !

Canada was everything I was expecting and more. Huge ice-fields, complicated crevassed terrain, changeable weather plus the worst bushwhack imaginable (think crawling under dense thickets whilst carrying enormous bags and skis). I'll write up the trip in a bit more detail when I've had the chance to draw breath but here's a flavour......in the meantime take a look at the pictures on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/OnHighHills

The path less travelled....

Quick round of Geal Charn via the Altt Ruadh today, starting in Glen Feshie.  This lovely hill used to be a Munro, but was demoted and now languishes (rejoices?) in relative obscurity. Tinder dry, crisp windswept vegetation a joy to walk on. After a cloudy start the sun came through and by the afternoon was beautiful and warm. Sections felt like walking in the south of France, with the heady scent of warm, dry pine filling the air.

Off to Canada........

Well, it's finally here. Off to the airport today to begin the journey to Canada and our expedition to the Homathko Icefield. The last few days have been spent packing, tinkering and checking kit and it's food to finally be heading out of the door! 

 I will be away for 3 weeks so will be out of phone contact during that time. However, emails to On High Hills will still be answered if you're wanting to get in touch to book days out on the hill. You can follow our progress at http://www.alpineskiclub.org.uk/about-us/news

Cairngorm conditions

A few pictures from our friend Alex Cowan, who has been out backpacking in the Cairngorms over the last few days. They show nicely the current conditions on the Moine Mhor, the Feshie Munros and the lower areas of Braeriach. Note the change in the weather this morning, as the last picture shows. Beautiful!

Expedition preparation

Only 10 days to go until I leave for a ski-mountaineering expedition to British Columbia, Canada. We will spend 14+ days traversing and exploring the Homathko Icefield, a remote glaciated wilderness in the wild Coast Mountains. Remarkable how many little things there are to organise for such a trip, most of the house looks like this just now

These mountains are absolutely fantastic, we had a wonderful previous trip there in 2013:

Getting really excited now!  Thanks to the Alpine Ski Club (www.alpineskiclub.org.uk) for supporting this trip for its members.