Pentland Hills and Winter Skills!

Just 15 Minutes From Edinburgh!

Friend, bush craft expert and survival guru Nigel popped up for a few days before Christmas just in time to feel the full icy blast of our on-going winter. The idea was to practise some winter skills techniques and we were originally going to head for the Cairngorms where we knew snow would be guaranteed. Needless to say, these days if it’s snow you want, all you need do is open your front door! So it was last week and we forsook the dodgy drive up and down the A9 for the short trip to the Edinburgh city limits where we found all we needed on the steep northern slopes of Caerketton Hill at the north-eastern end of the Pentland Hills.

Grade 1 Ground - Pentlands Style!

Some of the approach lanes to the Pentlands have been difficult to negotiate during the snowy weather but the car park at Swanston has remained open and duly served as our starting point for each day’s activities. Within 10 mins of leaving the car we were ankle-deep in powder snow which overlay a hard icy base. Higher up we encountered some surface ice patches and areas of freshly created soft windslab. These contrasting snow conditions gave us just what we needed to rehearse a string of winter techniques including ice axe and crampon work, snow belays and avalanche assessment.

Nigel Busy Burying His Ice Axe

On leaving the summit of Caerketton Hill we came across stark evidence of nature at work. Amongst the myriad of footprints, ski and animal tracks in the soft snow, Nige was quick to spot – and identify - something different. A raptor, maybe a kestrel, had swooped down and taken a small rodent or something similar leaving a clear imprint of its wing feathers just at the point where the unfortunate prey’s tracks came to an abrupt and ominous end! Try clicking on the photograph to enlarge it and you should see the details.

A View to a Kill

On Day 2 we climbed straight to the base of one of the crags immediately below the summit of Caerketton Hill and took turns leading up a steep snow gulley that we had spotted the previous day. It was good to get the rope out; it proved particularly reassuring for the near-vertical ice field that we found at the top end of the gulley! In the absence of any recognised named climbs on this part of the gently rolling (!) Pentland Hills we christened it Supermarket Gulley. The previous day whilst surveying the view over Edinburgh we somehow got into an amazingly banal unbloke-ish exchange of views on the merits of different supermarkets! You can see quite a few from here!! It’s alright, I don’t expect you to understand - you had to be there!!!

Nigel Leads the Way up Supermarket Gulley

On Day 3, we climbed yet another steep gulley, topped Allermuir Hill and then finished off with some interesting micro-navigation looking for insignificant snow-covered hummocks, ring contours and stream beds using map, compass and pacing. All very enjoyable – and successful. In the end, we achieved everything we wanted to and Nigel left a happy and contented man. I suppose we did miss out on a night in a snowhole but when I suggested it all I could see of him was his back fast disappearing off in the general direction of the Swanston clubhouse. Beer and chips seemed to offer a more appetising alternative to a night in the snow! I ask you! Maybe next time Nige?

Tea O'Clock!

Check out my future plans for this winter on: http://www.hillways.co.uk/winter/winter.htm

Arthur’s Seat – A First Winter Ascent!

Arthur's Seat

Having spent most of the past week with a shovel in my hand constantly digging my way to the outside world, today it was time to get the winter gear out and enjoy a hill-walk in the snow. The distinctive volcanic mound of Arthur’s Seat (251m) can seem like the middle of the country (as opposed to the middle of Edinburgh) at the best of times. Cover it with ice and a healthy foot or two of snow and you very much are a million miles away from the surrounding streets of the city. Blue skies, clear air and bright sunshine completed the magical mix which ensured a superb couple of hours of winter walking.

Looking Across Salisbury Crags to Edinburgh

Such is the amount of snow that has fallen in these parts during the past 7 days, it was hardly surprising to see an avalanche warning issued for this wee hill a couple of days ago. Come the weekend though and the snow has consolidated pretty well and there’s a greater danger from snow falling from high rooftops in the city than on the steep slopes of Arthur’s Seat. The paths are all compacted snow now which is icy enough to make progress slow and thoughtful. The summit rocks are passable with care but if you have crampons and an ice axe, you will certainly benefit from using them. Avoid the steeper paths on the way down and try and stay on the softer snow to remain upright.

The Summit

On the lower slopes, sledgers and skiers mingled with walkers, dogs and children all savouring the wonderful winter experience that is a Sunday stroll on sun-kissed snow! Don’t worry if you didn’t get out this weekend, something tells me there will be many more opportunities before we get to see our back lawns again!

Global Warming On Hold!

Check out my future plans for this winter on: http://www.hillways.co.uk/winter/winter.htm