Back on the hill track... finally

You never really forget or stop wanting your dreams even if you sometimes get side-tracked and your focus changes from time to time. I'm a true believer in never giving up on your dreams, no matter what. Personally, a little side tracking doesn't deter me completely, it can actually make me return even more determined than ever before. Before I could really get myself back in the 'dream chasing' game however, I did have to ask myself 1 important question...
Considering how much I absolutely adore being in the mountains, how did I ever manage to let it become so long since I actually got out there and trekked up one?

You see, It's all about the climbing really. Be it rock, ice or mountains, I just love the climbing sport. I fell in love with it when I tried it a few short years ago and I've never really loved any sport quite as much. A lot of my dreams are centred around it so I guess it's easy to become distracted from one climbing dream simply by spending a little time focussing on another.

So there I was, choosing bouldering over winter and with that came the decision to cancel my pre-planned winter holiday and concentrate on bouldering for a time. I had some excellent trips to my beloved Fontainebleau instead. Now however, with the end of the year fast approaching, I feel that it's time to get back to what I love the most... Winter. Winter mountains and winter climbing and just generally being out there in that environment. I am never more happy and more at ease than when I am up high somewhere in the cold and the snow looking out at the most amazing views and just loving every single second.

The thing that I love the most about it, and perhaps the most addictive part of it for me is that when I am up there, I feel like I am so close to my mum and when the journey is getting a little difficult or I'm getting a little exhausted from all the trudging and cutting steps,  I swear I can almost hear her voice again and feel her hand on my shoulder and in those moments, I know that she is there with me every step of the way and I love that feeling.

With my focus back on winter, I have to get hill fit again. I have to get route endurance for climbing for more than a few moves again. I have now booked myself back onto another winter trip, and planned which routes I'd like to try and get done and I am looking forward to it more than ever having skipped the last one. Now all that's left is to get to work.

S xx

Day 3: Buachille Etive Beag & Stob Dubh

Tuesday arrives and I must admit it was a little more difficult to get out of bed this morning. I definitely feel a little stiffer and less agile. Not to panic though as breakfast is a hearty one of fresh orange juice, porridge oats (kinda), sugary tea and then a little bit of eggs and bacon. Now, that's what I am talking about. Raring to go...

So today is another gorgeous winters days. Chilly but nothing major and some nice gentle sunshine to add a little rosy flavour to the cheeks. Heading off to Buachille Etive Beag, for a walk along the ridge and then on to the summit of Stob Dubh today. I can already feel the weight of my legs on the first few hundred metres then add to that the weight of crampons and you will understand why I needed a strawberry and cranberry (yummy btw) powerbar to get me going again after lunch.

A few meters after the col, we got taught how to look for and understand avalanches and by digging a hasty pit to check for unstable layers, we discovered there actually was a pretty unstable layer underneath a well bonded top layer thankfully which was supporting our weight. Needless to say, we did not continue on that path. We then headed on to the ridge line and followed it climbing up on to the summit of Stob Dubh and what a sight we were rewarded with. Absolutely gorgeous and the best possible advert you will ever see for Visit Scotland

With views like that, it doesnt matter how long or hard it was to get there. It all melts away when you see that.

Scotland: Oh how I love you sometimes

Sxx

Day 2: Aonach Mor

What a beautiful day in Scotland. We couldn't have asked for better weather for our first day in the mountains: Clear skies, sunny rays coming from a bizare object in the sky and pleasant temperatures ranging from 1C to -4C... Perfect!

Today we headed for Aonach Mor where we got the gondola up to approx 600m. We then began our leisurely day with some walking and footwork practise on some fairly light terrain. We then had some educational fun in the snow practising our ice axe arrest technique before a much needed lunch and then getting the crampons on and heading further up the mountain on much steeper terrain at approx 30degrees.

We had a full day of fun, education and exercise, just what you need on a sunny, crisp Scottish day... so get out there folks but be safe if you do so.

Heading back to the hotel, time for a much needed relaxing shower, a feast and blether with the others and then sleep because lets face it; I have to go through it all again tomorrow

Sx