Outdoors Gear Blog
An outdoors blog featuring outdoors gear and camping equipment
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Tower Ridge Ben Nevis Scramble
Outdoors Magic have just published a page about the Tower Ridge Scramble on Ben Nevis. It's a good piece with a couple of cracking photos, and worth a look if you want to get your juices going.
I've only ever attempted this once. Didn't know that the route up wasn't straight up the Douglas Boulder and kind of underestimated our time in that we didn't get to the bottom of the route until 2.30pm. By the time late afternoon came we were only 3 or 4 pitches up wondering how you could do an entire route like this in one day. Of course the secret would have been to bypass the Douglas Boulder but we were young and bombproof so there was nothing for it but to go straight up.
We were lucky we did what we did and ended up abseiling down off rusty pitons when we realised that there was no way going to be enough light for us to even get to the top of the route, let alone down the other side. Plenty of people do get benighted on Tower Ridge, and it's not somewhere I'd favour over a pint in Ft William and a cozy bed.
Back then I seem to remember Tower Ridge was given a rock climbing grade of Diff. Now it's talked up as a scramble, perhaps due to the reduced drop into Tower Gap. Whatever you decide to call it, it's still one of the longest hands-on climbs in the UK, perhaps the longest, and you need to be up there early to get it complete. In winter it is a full on mountaineering route, and should be addressed as such (alpine start?). And remember, once at the top you've got to come down the highest mountain in the UK (Ben Nevis Descent Bearings), so keep some time spare for that too.


Posted by bigcrags @ 10:32 AM 1 comments
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Webcams for the Scottish Hills
The first real cold snap with snow is due today and should last through the weekend. OK, there's been a dusting on the tops before now, but there should be some decent snow over the next couple of days. So what do you do when you are sitting at your desk wishing you were outside? Browse through these webcams round Scotland looking for the best snow of course...

Cairngorm Mountain Webcams - follow the link to webcams on the left
Glenmore Lodge Webcam
Ben Nevis Webcam
Perthshire Webcam
Glencoe Webcam

Now all you need is for the clouds to clear. It's like a window on the mountains. :-)


Posted by bigcrags @ 9:42 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Ratho Adventure Centre, Edinburgh
I've posted in the past about the fate of Ratho Adventure Centre and all its funding problems.
Bagger posted this item about Ratho Adventure Centre after a recent visit, and keeps us up to date with the progress to keep the place open. It really is an awesome climbing centre and deserves to shine. So on these cold, dark afternoons, rather than sitting adding extra pounds to your waistline when you finish work, why not dig out your old climbing slippers and head over to Ratho for a climb.


Posted by bigcrags @ 11:55 AM 4 comments
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Dundee Mountain Film Festival 2005
This weekend sees the Dundee Mountain Film Festival running from 25th - 27th November in the Bonar Hall, Dundee (just off Perth Rd). Looks like a great line-up and plenty to keep you busy with loads of short mountain films, and a few longer ones as shown at the Banff Mountain Film Festival (from Canada, not North-east Scotland). It's got some great guest speakers including Mick Fowler and also Dave Hahn who was one of the team that found Mallory's body on everest - that's a story that's bound to be worth hearing.
The Dundee Mountain Film Festival is the UK's longest running mountain film festival ( in terms of history, not in terms of going on forever...yawn).
Tickets tend to be in demand for this mountain film festival and can be had at Craigdon in Perth, or Tiso's, Blacks or Vertical World in Dundee.
www.dmff.org.uk



Posted by bigcrags @ 3:52 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Leki Makalu Ultralight Walking Pole Test
When I was out last weekend I forgot my walking pole. I've got dodgy knees and like to have it as an extra support for coming downhill. I used to use 2 but that was a little too much commitment, so settled on using a single walking pole when I go out.
I've got one of the Highlander Hillwalker 3 walking poles that we sell in the shop. Anyway, I forgot to take mine on Sunday, so borrowed a Leki Makalu ultralight from my friend. I'm happy to confirm it worked great, felt good in my hand and I had no trouble with my knees.
What surprised me though was that the Leki Makalu is a 30 quid pole whilst my Highlander pole sells at 14 pounds. There was no apparent difference in them. Both have comfortable rubber grips, a good wrist strap and apparently the same locking mechanism. Because both eschew the anti-shock devices so they are both light. I don't doubt that the Leki is probably a few grams lighter, but it wasn't enough for me to tell.
It's nice to be able to do comparisons like this from time to time, and especially nice when I find our walking poles are just as good as the market leading Leki, but half the price.


Posted by bigcrags @ 11:42 AM 0 comments
Monday, November 14, 2005
Fur or Fleece ?
It really is silly. But it's pure advertising gold dust. Grab a yeti, grab a pair of clippers and shave the yeti's fur off. Shave it all off for a song and a dance. www.shavemyyeti.com


Posted by bigcrags @ 4:18 PM 0 comments
Glen Lochay Rudeness
It's customary in the hills to greet fellow walkers with at least a nod, usually a hello and often a conversation about the weather. When you are out in remote and unpopulated areas it often gladdens the heart to see other similar minded people. If you see other walkers at a distance a cheery wave usually suffices.
Yesterday on Meall Glas in Glen Lochay, it was a cheery wave that was offered to two people coming down as we were ascending. These two anonymous walkers simply stopped and stared around 40m away. NO nod, no greeting and certainly no returned wave.
It pissed me off for the next hour. I said rude things about them.
You know who you are. Next time return the wave. Consider this post your chastisement.


Posted by bigcrags @ 11:19 AM 0 comments
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Scottish Hillwalks for Short Winter Days

It's amazing how quickly it goes from being light into the evening to being dark before you finish work now. The hills of Scotland tend to be pretty empty just now but get out there on a clear, crisp frosty morning and you'll wonder why everyone is staying away. Of course the answer is that it starts getting dark half-way through the afternoon.

So at this time of year you need some hillwalks that are easy to get to and quick to do. If you are coming from central Scotland that limits how far north you can go, but here's a few off the top of my head.

Ben Vrackie near Pitlochry
Pitlochry is only half an hour north of Perth and the ascent of this corbett is just 640m. With the classic Moulin Inn for a fine late lunch by a roaring fire at the start/finish point, it's a great short hill for this time of year.

The Lomond Hills, Fife
Ignored by many hillwalkers, the Lomond Hills provide a good walk and fantastic views. I once had someone say to me "there are no hills in Fife". I beg to differ. This is where I started out many years ago, as did another resident of Fife, JHB Bell, author of Bell's Scottish Climbs. There is plenty of adventuring to be had in the Lomonds.

The Cobbler
If you're on the Glasgow side of the country, The Cobbler, or Ben Arthur is a classic. Fairly high in that you are starting from sea level at Arrochar, but close enough to the central belt that travelling time is minimal.

Ben Lomond
Another quickie from west Scotland, Ben Lomond is many people's first Munro. Rowerdennan is quick to get to and the climb is uncomplicated.

Ben Ledi
Another sub-3000 ft hill, just outside Callander, Ben Ledi is a fine hill. Go up the main route, but once at the top, follow the ridge north and drop off from that side back to the glen. Makes for a fine round trip.

Those are just a few off the top of my head. Please do comment with any other ideas.



Posted by bigcrags @ 11:34 AM 1 comments
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Favourite food after a day on the hill
There's no doubt about it, a full day out on the hill especially in winter can leave you feeling a little peckish. I'm sure expert nutritionalists would tell you it's all about the replacement of broken down muscle and a diet regime of 60% carbs, 30% protein and 10% something green and slimy to get you feeling top form by the next morning.
For me though, I've just spent 8 hours hiking in sub-zero temperatures. I'm feeling fit and healthy, but a little peckish so what am I going to eat after this:
Fish and chips; or
Haggis and chips; or
White Pudding and chips;
...plus several pints of strong continental lager.

My body's a temple!
What do you prefer to eat after a day on the hill?


Posted by bigcrags @ 9:55 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Scotland a National Geographic Top 20 Destination
Get Outdoors Blog is reporting that National Geographic have included Scotland in their top 20 sports destinations in the world. Specifically they've chosen Fort William, but the could easily have picked Aviemore and the Cairngorms which were winners in Trail Magazine's top outdoors destinations a couple of years ago. (Aviemore only beat Ft William because it's a little drier and the midges are not as bad).
It's great to keep getting recognition like this. We're such a small country but we've got so much to offer in terms of outdoors activities. The Go Blog blogger mentions how much they enjoyed their visit to Scotland. Hope we'll have them back soon.
It's just a shame that so many North American travellers are put off by the unfavourable exchange rates at the moment.


Posted by bigcrags @ 4:46 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Outdoors sites round the world
I've recently taken to reading outdoors blogs from the other side of the atlantic. It's interesting to read about outdoors life and gear from another continent. Unfortunately with globalisation of companies like North Face, Lowe Alpine etc we get mostly the same gear in Scotland as they do in America, but it's good to read about issues that get people worked up about the outdoors. We just don't have the same issues about national parks, bears, hunting etc.
Two of the sites I'm now reading regularly are The Get Outdoors Blog - GoBlog and Two-Heel Drive.


Posted by bigcrags @ 12:52 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Winter Hillwalking in British Summer Time
The Scotsman reported on saturday that the majority of Scots would rather that the clocks didn't go back in the winter and would prefer that extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, meaning that we'd be on British Summer Time all year round.

So what would this mean for winter hillwalking? Well, an extra hour in bed of course? Maybe not but if you're not a morning person, getting up at 6am on a sunday morning so that you can be on the hill at 8am when it gets light is difficult. I normally sleep that little bit longer, end up on the hill well after daylight and as a result I'm often coming off the hill in the dark. I'd much rather be able to crawl out of bed a bit later and be sure of an extra hour of daylight when I was on the hill. It would definitely encourage me to get out more often in the winter.

So my vote is for summertime all year round. Especially in winter.


Posted by bigcrags @ 3:54 PM 0 comments

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