Training Log Archive: Big Jon

Suie (again... in danger of getting boring!), but spiced it up by taking small tracks as soon as possible from car park. Over Hill of Mill Medden and then a small track to north of main drag - but had to bail when it died into a second gully and slope was too steep/narrow to herring-bone up and snow too deep to walk.
Managed to find track to moor and went out to Mire of Midgates, then trig point 487, Badingair Hill, Brux Hill and finally Lord Arthurs Hill. Climb was steep, so had to zig-zag and descent was a bit sketchy - found a better gradient but snow was alternating packed and soft so had a fall at one point when skis stopped dead :-)
Then just a long steady plod back - used existing tracks much more on return so could just get my head down and switch off. Met one person on the moor and dozens in the forest!
A bit weary after but nothing hurting so no damage done.
Weather was overcast but lots of varied lighting with occasional glimpses of sun on far-away hills. Fantastic day out.

Suie with E - snow between 40-50cm deep now :-))) Main tracks had been skied but we were still smoothing off the trails in places. Snow a bit slow - maybe had sum on it and letter slightly? Tired by end, legs and energy.
Met about 10 skiers on first 2-10 and about 20 walkers - ruining the tracks :-(( in the last 5 mins!

Potter (well, OK a slog) on the touring skis up to Overlook Loch (CP73). Lots of snow lying but forest is heavy going so slow up to loch, much quicker coming down - got decent glide in places (40 up, 25 back). The snow higher up must be a huge depth, even at 400m there was 8-10"

Wee run up to Knockargety (CP78). Parked on small road to east so only a km or so. Slushy wet snow (amazing how different to 150m higher up). Starting to clear to the east so much brighter than earlier.

rest day - still not feeling 100% Wee walk with E to Stone Circle (CP81).

Long lap of Loch Kinord from Dinnet cross roads with S. Felt terrible at start and only gradually improved. Not sure what - maybe tired from Sunday/Monday, maybe asthma inhaler having a negative effect.
Anyway, a lovely route and great conditions - a bit of fresh snow that made the ice a lot less slippy. Still wore Ice Bug dobbs and only had a couple of wee skids. Right big toe very tender by end, too much frozen ground and bashing it about.

C • How 2

Home from garage. Lovely bright frosty morning. Most of Deeside Way OK but a few little icy patches, wore Ice Bugs so fine :-)

weights... :-( gonna be sore tomorrow.

Suie with E (S headed off when E faffed with wax), lots of big tracks and some lovely fresh snow to cut tracks in (after the initial icy crap section) - did a couple of loops twice, it was so nice. Ended up down big hill and grovelled back up it, totally wasted.
Lovely night out - mostly skiing by moonlight :-))) Not another soul out :-)))
Great for the soul - and then a chinese take-away in Alford to round things off :-)))