UTMB 2010...

I've just had my entry confirmed in this year's Mont Blanc Ultra Trail.

Yes it's the same old news. Skiing at Raise yesterday then a descent through Keppel Cove with around 30 other skiers. Much of the snow base has gone, and the coming week is set for more mild weather. That's climate change for you!

The long drive north, up the A9, mile upon mile of darkness and drifted snow. Bleary eyed we arrive in Newtonmore and feet of snow. A quiet night in the Glen, plans are discussed then we retire to the warm friendly welcome of the B&B.



Saturday dawns cold, more snow during the early hours. After a large breakfast we hit the road. The ski road to Cairngorm is blocked. Our plans take us a little way to the Rothiemurcus forest well away from the bustle of the ski resort. The snowy track negotiated, we park and pack. Skis on we set off into the forest wending our way around Loch an Eilein then along a beautiful trail passing Loch Gamhna. The pines heavily snow clad, the frozen lochs, the silence. We glided along ducking beneath the branches to arrive at Inshriach bothy. After a quick lunch we left some gear and set off for the summit of Creag Dhubh via Creag Follais. The way was tiring even on skis. Once on the tops, the ease of gliding along, covering ground in this incredible landscape, was truly memorable. We reached the top of Creag Dubh and took in the views. Staring into remote corries, dumb founded by the amount of snow cover.


Feeling the cold we turned for the sun bathed descent slopes. Pristine snow, curving away into the darker recess of the corrie below. We removed the skins, took a deep breath and arced down. Huge open bowls of powder, picking the line. Then down through the forests leaving the summits alone to the darkening sky. Back at the hut we settled down to a cold night and brews aplenty. We chatted, feeling like lucky punks. Words escaped us to best describe the feelings of the day. Late that night a mouse busied itself in collecting it's dinner from the surprise visitors, but it mattered not.

At first light we rose, the hardest and coldest part of the day... gliding away from Inshriach, a thought that we would probably never in our lifetime see Scotland like this again.

The weekend begins. Two days touring in the Cairngorms. If we can get there...

Sunday 3rd January 2010
Forgot my skins today so had to hike to the summit of Clough Head via the BG route. The ski descent off the east ridge was excellent, compact neve with a light cover of powder. In fading arctic light. Things are a little scoured and a crust has formed which makes the back country riding very tricky.

Wednesday 6th January 2010
Parked in St John's in the Vale and skinned straight from the road to the summit of Raise. We've had a good cover of fresh snow in the last 24 hours. A strong easterley today was chucking a lot of powder down in Sticks Gill, and all of the West faces are looking very full. Where the snow has formed windslab, there is a definite instability in this top layer and the avalanche risk will be high on the leeward steeper faces and in the gullies. Made it to the Raise tow for lunch, chatted with a few of the guys and Bernie. Ate lunch in the club hut, skied a few runs, then descended via Sticks Gill back to the car. Untracked powder in the backcountry, the Scott Aztecs just eat up this terrain. Absolutely fantastic! There is no sign of this changing any time soon.

Raise Skiing

The Christmas bank holiday could not have been spent better. Another half metre of fresh snow in the last 24 hours over the Eastern fells. I decided to skin up to the Raise ski club tow, and spend the afternoon at the Lake's premier resort. What a day! Blue skies, powder and the final 2000ft descent from Raise summit through Keppel Cove and along the track to Greenside mines was... alpine!
A report is here on Winterhighland with a few more pics.