Training Log Archive: Ollie

Mullach Clach a'Bhlair and Sgor Gaoith (second attempt after yesterday) from Achlean, with Ed. 6km walk up lovely Glen Feshie (nice Caledonian Forest remnants) with a couple of careful fords, then up a snowy landrover track to the summit. Then a long walk across the plateau to the other Munro. Lots of crunchy snow and a good track for part of the way, meant we moved fast. Second summit perched right on the edge of cliffs with good views down the misty depths. Then another good path back to Achlean, avoiding a couple of snow showers. Fast moving all day due to generally good paths, snow that was not too deep or soft, and good weather (crosswind, and some mist but also some clear sections). Good mountain day. Route: http://www.strava.com/activities/236237882

Attempt on Sgor Gaoith (1118m) from the west. Nice path took us up to 800m, from where we entered the cloud. Got tantalisingly close (to 1010m) but turned back due to blizzard conditions. Will add snow goggles to my winter kit list! Route: http://www.strava.com/activities/235629196

C • Sgur Gooey 2

Trying out an orienteering course (no flags) in Inshriach South (the good bit) on an old 1:15000. Raining and quite windy. Also running in road shoes. Did the first 14 of 18 controls - full course length was 7km straight-line. Fantastic technical challenge and generally pleasant underfoot.

Led by Jon. Various core and glute exercises. Quite brutal.

Took the advantage of excellent weather forecast to do a tough, demanding day in the Cairngorms. From the Coire Cas 620m carpark 0830, Beinn Mheadhoin 1245 (via Coire Reibeit and the Shelter Stone) which had a short scramble at the tor at the top, just passable without crampons as it was snowy rather than icy, then crossing the River Avon by the mouth of the loch (Ed fell in), then Bynack More 1530 (at sunset), Bynack Beag, then finally crossing the River Nethy in the dark, a 150m climb up beside a gash in ridge, and a tricky navigating section (at night, but with moonlight) to the 520m carpark at 1800. Blue sky all day, some wind and spindrift in places but generally much more pleasant than yesterday. However there was lots of soft snow so, where the wind hadn't blown it away, the going was slow and tiring. Route: http://www.strava.com/activities/234238473

I was suffering from the final part of the climb to Bynack More. Mint cake at the summit helped somewhat, but with hindsight should have split from the others at the River Avon crossing and finished by climbing Cairngorm via the saddle at the head of the River Nethy - would have avoided the excess walking and darkness, and maybe stopped the knee injury from flaring up the following day (although I had thought it was sorted). Unfortunately (for me) the rest of the group was fitter, so the pace was demanding. I need to keep these sorts of days in soft snow to less than 20km, as a rule.