Thats a bit fresh!

First Canyon session of 2012 today clear blue sky's just above freezing and snow on the hills! Even typing this my hands are still tingling.

Ready and warm!

Keeping the hands out of the water 

Looks cold

First full submersion 

Jacuzzi Pool

Full commitment well done guys! 

The last week and a half has seen some good stuff happening in the Dunolly Camp, Some BCU 2 Star training and assessment, a bit of BCU 3 Star training and a Trail Cycle Leader Training course for the trainees.

 Expensive trailer!

 Route planning

 Sam's debrief 

 Lost?

Oli Swims

Poser

Oli's improvised knee pads!

Sam Hitting the line on the SCA rapid

Philbert

Peter breaking in

Lunch time on the 3 Star course

Scotty's lunch

Peter on the River Lyon

  

Don't mind if we do

Helen and I headed to Glen Shee for a bit of winter sports. After an exciting drive we arrived to closed snow gates, after 45 min we head up and greeted by 2 inches of fresh snow on a hard pack, and not to many icy patches oh and blue skies. Could be the last day this winter as temperatures rise.

Sketchy Drive over!

Waiting for the snow gates to open

Helen being patient!

Just in case you forgot what I look like

Helen after big button lift

Scotland?!

Hold on folks!

Maybe we will have a chance to defend ourselves this time!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17073723

Trainee Training

So the new Trainees have started and been having some tough instructor training. Some very cold Rafting over the weekend and then some icy gorge walking. We will make hard core instructors out of them yet! 

 Oliver setting up for a back flip

Still laughing!

 Ice in the gorge

 Somewhat more exciting than usual

 Above the mini gorge in the fog

There was ice everywhere!

Trees in the fog

 Oliver's man training

 It was stunning in the gorge today

 Crampons would have been useful

This is what greeted us when we exited the gorge above the fog

Everyone get on board

To all who enjoy access to our rivers PLEASE READ UP AND REPOST!!!!

From Steve Thomas of Freespirits, Aberfeldy

To all you river people out there a ruling has recently been made stating that rafts are no longer permitted to descend the Aberfeldy to Grandtully stretch of the river Tay and it is our every intention to contest this ruling. We simply were not afforded the opportunity to defend this ......case and are doing everything within our power to correct this. We need everyone who is affected by this ruling, raft guides, kayakers, hotel owners, bus companies, drivers and anyone else who feels strongly enough to e mail 'steve@freespirits.freeserve.co.uk' and I will send you e mail and postal addresses of all parties for letters of objection to be sent to. I have also drafted up a couple of copies of letters if you don't have the time to write one yourself, all you need do is print and post. I also need you guys to share this with everyone on your FB. We need Perth & Kinross to realise what they have allowed to happen.

A busy old week

Helped a couple of people get ready for their BCU 3 star, hung around on the high ropes course to checks, had a Burns night bike ride and dinner, and some chili rafting Brrrr.

More reports

Some more reports on the rafting ban.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/01/20/fears-for-adventure-company-jobs-as-anglers-win-court-battle-to-limit-rafting-trips-on-river-tay-86908-23708891/#.Tx7nHLblEC4.facebook

Its not over yet.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/tayside/294387-whitewater-rafters-vow-to-fight-ban-on-using-top-salmon-river/

Excuse my bad language!

Sorry, but what a F%£king joke. I know lets get rid of all the small business in these hard financial times so we can kill innocent fish in peace! Wan%&rs. Sorry again.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-16657527

A Quick Edit

A little edit from some biking in Weem Forest

Tough Biking

So what was meant to be a nice Sunday ride with a pub lunch and a pint in front of the fire, happened but with snow, ice, and deep muddy puddles on inclines! But such good fun.

Snow Biking

So Phil and I headed out for a morning blast to work off some festive cobwebs. We headed to Griffin Forest above Aberfeldy thinking there may be a little bit of snow on the ground but manageable, but that wasn't the case! What should have been a gentle ride turned into a learn to ride in deep snow mission. Incidentally it is really hard going riding in the snow, were you even have to pedal going down steep hills!

Maybe the snow in the car park should have given us an idea what was to come!

Rest bite by Loch Kennard

The snow kept getting deeper

On the ascents it was easier to carry the bikes

Phil carrying his bike. We could have been anywhere it was beautiful

Me beginning the snowy decent (Photo courtesy of Phil Robinson)

Carrying my bike. (Photo courtesy of Phil Robinson)

Negotiating the decent, imagine Bambi riding a bike! (Photo courtesy of Phil Robinson)