July Arran Cycle

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Two days around Arran

Glencoe 11th April 2010

Up early to make the most of the great sunny Spring conditions. A long
warm day with the same conditions as the day before. Many in T-shirts,
some even in shorts. 20 degrees and soft snow to play in. It doesn't
get much better. Main Basin starting to mogul slightly. Spring Run was
great fun but care had to be taken cutting under the flypaper, closed
due to unstable snow. Mugs alley was becoming increasingly broken.
There was a great spirit on the hill. Smiles all around and continued
classic spring snow conditions. Let's hope it continues into May.
Fingers crossed.

Glencoe 10th April 2010

A late start meant an afternoon at Glencoe. The day was warm, about 18
degrees and no wind. The plateau poma still allowed access. Mugs alley
broken but navigable. Once at the top, Main Basin provided lumpy but
great spring snow conditions. Overhead skies were blue with bearley a
cloud. Rannoch Glades also provided great runs although caution was
adisable through the rocks. The drive home was stunning with strong
sun well into the evening.

Glencoe 3rd April 2010

Had car for Saturday, but not Sunday, although Sunday did look the better. Driving up through the rain things looked gloomy. There had been good snowfall during the week and the base had filled in giving a much needed top-up. Overhead conditions were grim. As was becoming familiar with Glencoe this season visibility was zero. Usually optimistic ticket office staff predicted it would clear up. I new better though. Once the mist has a hold here, it rarely lets go. Snow was great however. A few runs at the top did not provide much in the way of fun, so I decided to stay low and shred around Mug's Alley. It wasn't too busy, despite the Easter Holiday. Towards the end of the day snow returned, low down it was very wet and mixed with rain. Hopefully we'll see what's left hang on till May, but temperatures are due to increase so we'll have to wait and see if we get some of those classic sunny spring days at Glencoe.

Glencoe 29th March 2010

First chance to get on snow during my holiday from work. Weather has been atrocious. However a few centimetres of snow had fallen the night before and the weather looked bright for the Monday. Got up there and the slopes were desolate. Reports say only 20 folk on the hill. Skiers right from the top tow had great fresh which took all day to track out. Lower down the plateau was broken and Mug's Alley was very narrow so stayed at the top despite tiring T-bar. A relaxed day on my own with nice powder sprays (with compact base).

Cairngorm Sunday 14th March

Second day on the Gorm and if anything the weather had worsened. More white-mare conditions and I had not fully recovered from the beating the M1 Poma had given me the day before. More cruising was had although slightly more subdued. Tried to make it to the Ciste Gully, but visibility and wind so bad that we found ourselves once again on the White Lady. Much the same snow as the day before and much more tired. Had a couple of runs on the East Wall of the Lady, which was soft and the nearest thing to powder. Turning around the odd little tree poking out of the snow. The lifts seemed even more brutal today, with all but a few lifting me off the ground. This was compounded by the fact I didn't have a stomp pad on my new board.
I must say I was glad to see the back of the M1 Poma on the home run back to base, but at least did make the most of the weekend.
No photos as there was nothing to see!

Cairngorm Saturday 13th March

Looking forward to making the most of the vast snow coverage that Cairngorm was boasting. However the high winds and low visibility put paid to that. Most of the lifts in Corrie na Ciste were closed but we did make it down the Ciste Gully / East Wall and made use of the Day Lodge Poma (which I had never seen run before). Most of the day was spent on the M1 and White Lady. Plenty of millage under my board but white out conditions prevented full exploration. Whole are was covered apart from the very top of Ciste which is flat anyway. Did want to try a bit more freestyle jumps etc but super firm conditions and high speed cruising were the order of the day.
The M1 Poma really took its toll. Rutted conditions and a brutal take off meant I was riding on tired legs for much of the day.
A full day was had on the slopes by 8:30 and almost last lift around 4:30 so not bad at all.

Glenshee 4th March 2010

Gareth, Jon and myself took Thursday off work and headed to an icy but sunny Glenshee. Started the day off with a cooked breakfast in Blairgowrie and arrived at Glenshee bathed in warm winter sun. Started off with the Tiger black run, rocks and grass poking through and plenty of moguls. Didn't do a good job of it but probably not the best choice for first run of the day. Should have wondered why no-one else seemed to be attempting it. Over the back on Meall Odhar was great with packed powder and nice gulleys to play in. Huge cornices too, hanging formidably above the corries. A great day in the sun and a continuation of a great season so far. Wide coverage but not a great depth of snow. Heavy traffic areas scrubbed down to ice.

Glencoe, Sunday 28th February 2010

The previous Thursday & Friday saw a huge snow fall making Glencoe the snowiest resort in the world (according to Glencoe). The whole lift system needed dug out overnight and the road cleared of drifting snow. We thought it would be better to wait till the Sunday even though they did manage to open for Saturday.
Once up there it was a bit misty but midway and lowdown it was nice and clear.
Using my new board setup we made short work of Happy Valley, Main Basin and the home run down to carpark.
Etive Glades and Flypaper were closed due to avalanche risk. The previous Friday two skiers were airlifted from Etive Glades after triggering an avalanche there. The week before this had been a powder playground.

Glencoe, Wednesday 17 February 2010

The day before the webcams for Glencoe were showing blue skies and fresh snow. It was quickly decided to take Wednesday off work. The weather report made good reading with 60% chance of sun. The day however started foggy and cold. On reaching Tyndrum the snow started coming down heavy. The road conditions got very sketchy. The car park at Coe was quite busy and we were soon up the hill. Snow was still falling and the top of the hill shrouded in mist. Visibility was poor but the snow was exceptional. Etive Glades was full of untouched powder, absolutely phenomenal riding! Rannoch Glades was tricky with few reference points. The bottom slope falls away and as I lead the group down I found the slope breaking away and the small slab avalanche took me down the slope. Having cleared the slope of loose snow I persuaded the others to follow. Looking back up I could see them sitting above the break in the snow. It was quite a drop.
Visibility improved lower down and many more runs on Etive Glades were inevitable.
A great day and the best snow I've had at Coe for a while. Not too cold, but cold enough to keep the powder fluffy.

Glencoe, Saturday 23 January 2010

No photo today I'm afraid, after driving all the way up last weekend for a half day and being chased away by the weather, I got up to Coe bright and early to make the most of fair conditions in the West.
Cairngorm was still being dug out as I drove up early taking care on very slippery roads.
It had been a cold night so once up the hill I found Mugs Alley, the run from Plateau to Cliffy very hard ice. Once up the top at Main Basin though, most of this was softer, Etive Glades too was very nice at the top. Spring Run however stayed in the shade and never really softened, but cover meant Thrombosis was available amongst the very wide coverage.
Conditions deteriorated a bit in the afternoon, only slight mist though. Calm winds and wide coverage with short queues meant everyone had a good day.
Still could do with a bit more depth though. I'm sure that will come though. It's still early days for the season.

Nevis Range 18 April 2009

From Nevis Range 18 April 2009

A gorgeous sunny day. Just managed to get up there for half day. Only the top was available but so were the back corries. It's been a while since I last visited Nevis and I've never been over the back. So after a few warm up runs at the top I headed across to the entrance at 'Back Track'. I'd previously spotted a large crack in the snow pack in the next corrie and since temperatures were getting higher I was nervous. I was on my own and there was no sign of anyone else over the back. After 15 minutes of deliberating I strapped on my board and went to the edge of the cornice. Then I chickened out. Visions of picking up too much speed and impacting the rock band was at the forefront of my mind. A long hike back to the summit ensued. Another time perhaps.

Snow was scalloped when not ridden and slushy on-piste but a great afternoon's riding. I suspect this was my last day this season.

Sent from my iPod

Saturday 28th February

From Aviemore Trip 2009

Drove to Aviemore for the weekend. Not expecting much weather-wise Saturday dawned brightly. On approach to Cairngorm, the hill looked very brown. However once we got up the funicular we crossed the ice-clad Corrie Casand took the tow to the top. We made the most of what was there and as the day went on the narrow patches softened. The day was bright and cold and apart from stopping for lunch we kept going all day. The hills really need another dump of snow though. Cold bright icy then softer.
Sent from my iPod

Wednesday 11th February

From Glencoe 11 February 2009

Took a day off work, and what a day! I'd been watching the weather and although Glencoe had not received the amount of snow the rest of the country had recently been dealt with, I'd been watching the forecast and it was set to be bluebird. The carpark was busy but I was soon up there with my pre-paid ticket.
The snow was quite crispy and a few patches off ice were there to keep you on your toes.
There was not a cloud in the sky and temperatures were low, about -4.
I was on my own so got the whole area covered apart from the flypaper which was closed. So that left me shattered and managed to head down, belly full just before 3.00 and before it got dark.

Glencoe Saturday 24th January

From Glencoe 24th January 2009

The day started with a very snowy drive from Cardross. The worst stretch being between Tyndrum and Rannoch Moor.

By the time I got there it was 10.40 and the carpark was full. luckily I had mum's Ka and managed too squeeze it in a small gap (at an angle).
It was a bit blustery but a lot of snow had fallen. The week before the mountain was bare. Snow continued to fall through the day and some of my best runs were under the Cliffy. The Main Basin was great too.
Not as much snow as this time last year but it was soft and spreadable.Spring Run was in good condition too it must be said, however since the top T-bar was dismounting early there was a wee walk up and across.
Apart from queues and the new £30 lift ticket conditions were good. Plenty of soft stuff.
The drive back was through blizzards yet again. Much worse in the dark. It was reported on the news the following day that 9 climbers were caught in an avalanche on Buchaille Etive Mor that day. 3 were sadly killed. This was only 1 kilometer away, the next mountain along from the ski area.

Sent from my iPod

Early Snow

Cold temperatures and some early flurries are helping prepare Glencoe for a good season. Keep everything crossed for a continuation of these conditions and another corking snowboard season.

End of my season

Well it has been a great season, but Nevis Range has decided not to open this weekend so I think I have to concede defeat and realise I'm not going to beat my record season. I was only 3 visits away! I shouldn't be grumbling but I must admit that as I type this there is a rising ebb of depression. Don't know how I'll cope this coming summer. You can never have too much of a good thing. Its just unfortunate the Scottish resorts don't get to much of the paying visitor. Snow definitely wasn't a problem and the amount of blue sky days was also unprecedented.

Let's keep fingers crossed for next season. Hopefully the resorts will be as lucky and provide the wonderful playground they have this past season. For those of you with strong legs and a true passion for sliding on snow, there are plenty of patches left on the hill. I may just have to resort to a few hikes myself. Coe's stash could be there well into the summer, depending on how much rain falls between now and then, Anyway, until next time.

Ruanaich | Snow Diary

Glencoe, April 19, 2008

Scattered cloud and a brisk wind but plenty of sun and excellent spring snow. Went all over the hill. Deirdre loved the idea of the Flypaper so I had to bite the bullet and show her. did it twice, but it was much easier than last time thanks to the excellent snow and a slightly different route down the right hand side. The canyon is still fun and mugs alley is holding up still with lots of little jumps. Even Thrombosis down the middle. As well as the up rail at Cliffhanger Chair we did the box in the main basin and Deirdre coaxed me into doing the C-box. Got 3quarters along then was thankful of my impact shorts.
Today was great, wind did not hamper things. Temperatures were just warm enough to soften the ice from night before into great soft stuff. Deirdre was excellent on the Flypaper, really confident and she really loves the run.
Hopefully a few more weeks of the season left, although it looks like the weather may start to take a turn for the worse in the coming week. Fingers crossed!
Picasa Web Albums - Michael - Snowboarding - IMG_0004 brig...

Glencoe, April 13, 2008

Another great day at Glencoe. The drive up was blue skies until we got to the mountains. High clouds prevented consistent sunshine although we did get brief spells where the sun came through. Snow was still good, starting crisp but eventually softening through the day. Still a bit choppy in areas.
Jon, Niels and myself covered all of the mountain. Etive Glades had just enough to avoid rocks, Main Basin under the poma provided some untouched wet powder and scars for our bases. We also did Flypaper which Niels flew down in a few turns, however my legs went, especially after seeing Jon slide from top to bottom on his back. Hilarious and slightly worrying all at the same time.
Ruanaich | Michael MacDonald

Glencoe, April 12, 2008

What started as a fairly unpromising day turned out to be a Glencoe classic. A lot more sun than was expected, zero winds and fresh snow.
Spring Run had improved and the canyon was fun. Fresh snow had improved out toward Etive Glades and the rails at the Cliffhanger were fun too.
There were no queues to speak of although hopefully busy enough to keep the accountants happy.
Glencoe really comes into its own in the spring and it looks like we're set for a corker!
Picasa Web Albums - Michael - Snowboarding - IMG_0006_2.JPG