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Saturday 22 September 2012

Fffffffff...freezing in the Glens


Craig and Bill were out with the Milngavie Youth Cafe on a bronze training expeditions in the hills around Callander and Balquhidder.   We started off in Brig O'Turk and headed up Glen Finglas, taking the single track path for Balimore farm.

This turned out to have been badly affected by the recent deluges; although the weather was nice, the path was sodden and hard to negotiate in places.   The young people did amazingly well and found the navigation fairly straight forward.




The group made it into camp in good time but feet were damp and legs tired. Some tent pitching and into food time saw spirits raised.



A very cold night followed with temperatures very near to freezing but the views the previous night and the following, crisp, morning were stunning.





All in a good exercise and experience for the young people; despite the weather and the cold, I'm sure they can all move ahead to achieve their dreams.




Aviemore MTB Expedition


Craig was away recently on an excellent mountain bike expedition around Speyside and the 'Gorms with Jordy and Callum for fun and games over a couple of nights.




The weather was generally kind but there was a real gale on the first night. The second night saw more wind but it died away for the midges to come out and eat us on Gleann Einich.



Not withstanding, the mountain biking was truly brilliant and, as usual, the scenery to die for.


Thursday 20 September 2012

Weaselling in Arrochar

Craig and Bill had a wet day with 11 clients weaselling amongst the rocks around Arrochar. Great fun and a new experience for all the group.

Tonight, final planing, packing and Keeping and eye on the weather for another Duke of Edinburgh expedition on Friday and Saturday with group of 14. Fingers crossed for some late summer sun.

Craig and Mark watched a badger nosy through the DofE camp last weekend while on night patrol, magic.

 

Monday 17 September 2012

Singing in the Rain...in a canoe

Craig was out with Bob Talyer (Tayler Made Adventures) working with a Council group of young folk canoeing in heavy rain and wind on Loch Lubnaig, near Callander.

All in, a cold day but fun was had and they now realise the benefits of a dry suit (warm as toast) over a wet suit (cold as ice).  The micro-weather system was quite bizarre with rain and strong wind disappearing to sun and calm for 15 minutes, followed the rain and wind; global warming a la Scottish Glens.

Too wet for pics this time...

Bronzed and happy ...

Craig and Mark supervised a bronze Duke of Edinburgh award for pupils of a private school in Edinburgh. Two 6hr days navigating their way through the Pentland Hills with an overnight camp. 
The weather on Saturday was glorious but deteriorated overnight with high winds and rain on Sunday. This is the perfect mix as it really tests  resilience and team work. Both teams did very well and passed. 
Many thanks to David Adamson (assessor), Louise for her dedication to the students the DofE award and for the lemon drizzle cake and Will for giving up his weekend to help.
Silver next ?
Meanwhile, Bill was busy managing the final SXC race of the season down at the excellent Drumlanrig Castle circuit, where Rik Alsop put on the usual fantastic course for the racers.  Another great day was had by all competitors and we all look forward to next season now...
Here are some pics from the expedition...

Team 1 handrail navigating on day 2


 The way ahead

A glacial erratic on Capelaw hill!

A (non) glacial Belfast sink on the same hill...

Monday 10 September 2012

Kayak Training Day - and Peter's Birthday

Simply Epic crew out with Peter for a great day's training with Keith from Paddle Power Adventure around Kerrera off Oban.

A fantastic days kayaking and we saw leaping dolphins, seals, various sea birds and wild geology in the area, but the kayaking held sway for enjoyment.



We had five hours of paddling into tides and wind on some of it but we kept the old guys 'end' up and managed to get round with no issues, and plenty of learning points.

All in a great day; great CPD for the team and more to come...

Video hopefully captures the day - Bill's first shot with his new GoPro...takes getting used to.

Top marks to Mark for being the only one to Eskimo roll; Peter and Craig failed miserably while Bill got his hair wet but not much else.

Enjoy...we did.