Hebrides 2009 Diary

If you are at all interested in reading about my 2009 trip to the Western Isles you can download it here: http://db.tt/WMJ9qtT

Glencoe, Saturday 19th March 2011

We had to leave the house in Aviemore by 10am so thought I'd travel back to Glasgow via Glencoe, taking the Newtonmore - Spean Bridge road. It was a pleasant road and only an hour before I was passing Nevis Range ski area. Tempted though I was I passed through Fort Bill, picking up a McD's on the way. By 12.30 I was driving up the access road at the mighty Coe. It was a bit blowy but sun made the occasional appearance and the wind was whipping up the snow and freshening tracks each time I made a run down Main Basin. Under my board the snow was firm windpacked powder. Mugs Alley was wide as there was complete coverage. I didn't manage Spring Run but heard it was great. Calling it a day, I did the carpark run. Again pretty much full snow cover all the way down although getting a bit soft near the bottom.
The perfect end to a week off is an afternoon at Coe with the best snow cover in years. Let's hope it lasts and we have a great second half to the season.

Cairngorm, Thursday 17th March 2011

Another afternoon up the Gorm. Weather cleared as started cloudy. Started with an energy sapping run down the west wall the some fun in the compacted powder of the ptarmigan basin, even on some groomers high above ptarmigan T-bar.
The weather then started to turn, hazy at first then heavier with some brief snow flurries. The m1 and white lady runs were amazing when you could see ahead. Visibility started to return to the poor conditions of two days earlier. Kept going as best we could but at 4 o'clock I decided to call it quits when toe side turns ended fake and me feeling a bit sea sick. You just couldn't tell if you were facing down the fall line or not!
Day 3 at Gorm was another good one all in all.

Cairngorm, Wednesday 16th March 2011

Couldn't get much more different to yesterday's weather. Beautiful bluebird conditions. Wasn't too busy and made my way up for the afternoon via drag lifts. Couldn't be bothered waiting for the funicular. Faicaill poma took me to the now consolidated powder fields of yesterday. Still soft, still wonderful. As the day went on the snow became wetter. This meant some pow runs now sucked on the board, slowing things down a bit. Great fun though and more hard work for my left leg.
Temperatures were rising as I decided to take my remaining runs down the side of the day lodge poma. My last run of the day was down through buttery soft snow right to the roadside and my awaiting car. A fantastic day.

Cairngorm, Tuesday 15th March 2011

First day up at Gorm this season. Plenty of snow around great depth but visibility was yet again a problem. Some great powder off Faicall Ridge. Back leg burn was an issue as I don't seem to be in shape so much compared to last year. Did zig zags and gun-barrel mostly as well as a few big stacks due to deep deep powder.

Saturday 12th March 2011

A large storm system has brought blizzards once again to the Scottish mountains. Snow started falling even in Glasgow on the Friday night. On arrival at Glencoe snow was down to the car park.
Blizzards prevailed up the mountain with an icy blast accompanying it. Visibility was non existent and it was a day of sensory deprivation. The main basin was loaded with soft powder. Spring Run and Flypaper were closed due to avalanche conditions.
On my last visit snow levels had dropped significantly and the season didn't look like it had long left. Today however has seen the whole ski area revived.
The Bunny Run was fantastic. Very deep and great for slashing the pow. Visibility was so poor I commented on being close to a small cliff only to immediately to fall down it.
Many folk were taking runs down to the car park. But at the end of the day, tired legs and whiteout conditions we decided to take the chair.
I was told of a wide run out to the right of Mugs Alley that goes far out all the way down to the base. Must try it if I get the chance again.
The next day I wasn't up, but the website showed that the snow hadn't stopped falling. Piste bashers in the car park and about two feet of snow on the roofs. It looks like the season has been breathed once again back to life.

Saturday 5th March 2011

Took a trip up to ride and watch the first Glencoe Snowpark Jam. Visibility was very poor except when cloud parted briefly. The temperatures had been high and loads of snow had been lost. Up to 3 feet in places. Choppy conditions and sugary snow made the ride tricky. The kids in the jam session didn't seem to mind too much. A lot of skill was on view.
I didn't get too much riding done. Lower slopes were none existent so I stuck to the Main Basin with a little go on Etive Glades. Here's hoping for a top up of fresh snow.
Temperature was above zero and snow was wet.