Training Log Archive: Big Jon

xc-skiing to Bell Wood, Aboyne for Maroc training. A great swoop down the hill to Dess Burn then good going on most of railway line (worst part was next to Aboyne Loch where the snow ploughs had sprayed gritty snow onto the track - felt bad on new skis :-( ) Crossed road to field and this was HEAVY -t knee deep crusty snow - had to walk/wade even on skis!
Lovely morning with sun and some clouds - clear views all round.

C • DNC 2

30 mins digging snow off access track to avoid car bottoming out on central raised snow bank - hard work with crunchy compacted snow.

A loop through woods and out onto fields - similar to normal Dess wood loop - but took a bit longer. Snow was almost knee deep in fields - hard work to keep moving! Hope the conditions stay cold overnight (now at -7C so looking good) and then it'll be even better tomorrow.
Afternoon - a lap of yesterday's loop and some "downhilling" on the steep track beyond the powerline - even better than yesterday!

More snow overnight, so even better conditions out back of house - who needs the Alps when Dess Wood can provide slopes, trails and sledging (Ewan). Made tracks round via the water supply, manure pile, Jan's field and main track - 4 laps during the 2 sessions (last one on skinny skis - fell 3 times - lack of control is very apparent after heavier skis/boots!). Another great day of fun on the skis, long may it continue - and the forecast is just that!

C • Winter Wonderland 5

Lots of playing on skis out back of house (the new snow has covered almost everything). Even Ewan was happy to play around for a while in morning and afternoon. Tried out heavier xc skis - really fast downhill and Ok with 0 -7C wax for grip. Good support from boots and much more confident on downhill sections.

Dess loop in snow - getting fairly deep, but still reasonably fluffy. Forest will be in good shape once the snow goes - bracken will be completely flattened.

xc skiing at Glen Gairn with Ewan and Sarah, cold -11C, didn't last long before E complained. Stopped on way back to Ballater to sledge in a field - a bit fast!!!! - even on skis going diagonally down the slope in fresh snow it was scary! ewan bounced off survival-bag sledge on last run and scraped his face, sudden loss of interest....
Had a wee walk to Cambus White bridge - and walked out onto river - completely iced over and felt very thick and solid.

Up Benaquillie from Tarland road with Sarah. Crusty snow low down in the shadows (bad on ankles) and softer up to in the sun. Last climb was pretty deep in places (over my knees) and tough on leg muscles. Came off to east and back along tracks to farms and finished up initial descent (still v. crusty snow). Good run and tremendous views all round. Glorious sunshine, but cold in shade. Coldest run so far this winter, long may it continue!