A little trip to the Lake District

Helen and I have just returned from a chilled out week in the Lakes, a bit of biking up Askham Fell, some walking up Great Gable, and lots of relaxing and ale drinking.

Heading up Askham Fell

Some really nice descents 

View over Ulswater

The walk in to Great Gable

Looking East

A rest by Styhead Tarn

Looking South

And looking West towards the Isle of Man

Helen and I on the summit of Great Gable

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.