M6, Mountains and premature temporary ageing

M6, Mountains and premature temporary ageing

Andrew phones and says that the road to Catbells carpark is shut and proposes another option, start at the Youth Hostel and go do the circuit from the other direction. Later looking at the map I realise this involves climbing all the way up to the tops, descending all the way to the valley floor and then re-ascending again. Twice the climb. I agree. Must be good training for Nepal.

The M6 was ok considering setting off at 5:30 in the morning, one lorry fire was enough to delay me by half an hour, however arriving late meant avoiding a Lake District downpour. A fortuitous fire?

Great to be walking with Andrew and Monty again, after a damp sweaty start reached the top of High Spy, then all the way to the valley floor for lunch and then all the way up again to Hindscarth and Dale Head. All new routes and I have now completed all of the “major” tops in the Lakes (not sure how this relates to Wainwrights but who cares). We had views from all of them. Brilliant. Monty likes to find the high points on the walk, sit majestically and survey the scene as if he owns it. Looking for sheep more like!

The way down was tough, “training for Nepal” – not interested at this moment in time, just very tired. On commenting how slippery grass can be I lost my footing and went down with a thump. I did not enjoy that. Walked the rest of the way willing the hostel to get nearer.

It is amazing what a shower, a beer and the promise of good food can do for one’s moral. Hostels have come a long way from having to hide your drink at risk of it being confiscated (had a bottle of champagne go this way). Whisky and good conversation was had before sleeping well.

The next day saw us up Green Gable which was covered in verglas, which made walking like traversing a three dimensional ice rink. Give me a snow covered peak any day. Global warming has diminished the mountain experience with the increasing lack of snow. Decided against Great Gable, it would be more of the same and no views in the cloud. Lunched at Styhead Tarn. Lunch with Monty consists of defending your food from the dog. His snout is straight in your ruck sack as soon as it is opened. A piece of chocolate fell out, gone in under a second. When meeting other people Monty always pretends to want to be friends, however food is the motivation. Never be fooled by a dog.

Met a lady who worked locally enjoying her day off work, Monty made the introductions as normal. He wanted her banana sandwiches. Good to talk about the fells, farms and local work. I sound as if Monty is a pain, he is not, he is excellent company and entertainment and not a bad scrambler as well.

On getting out of the car at home after another very enjoyable journey on the M6, I found that my legs and back had ceased to work, felt like an aged person, difficult to walk to the house. Sitting for 4 and a half hours in a car after a good walk in the mountains causes the body to age temporarily. Fortunately it eases with time. Is this a foretaste of what is to come? If so better get more mountains in whilst I can!

Mountain cold cure

 

 Mountain Cold Cure

The weeks skiing started with a stinking cold, up at 3, drive to airport, fly, coach, apartment, eat, bed for a 12 hour sleep with weird dreams due to a temperature. Next morning so much better, I had bought every drug known to relieve the cold and had taken most of them to get me through the journey and make me sleep.

Very cold mountains and snow along with the medication is the best cold cure known. Took the first day steadily, easy reds are good. Sorted me out for the weeks skiing. The next few days were a mixture of ski school under the direction of the excellent Andreina and afternoons with Lindsey, Neil and Maria from ski school trying not to get lost in white out seeking out the lesser used reds and blacks.

 Decided to take a red run to the valley floor, narrow, steep and tree lined, it was difficult last year so let's see if I am better. On the way down I glanced behind and saw Lindsey cart wheeling down the slope, I let out a woohoo to celebrate the spectacular display of gymnastics. Then after a few moments thought I had better take my skis off to go help. She was fine, just hit a steep bit of ice. Lindsey then proceeded to out ski me on steep reds off of the top of the mountain for the rest of the afternoon. Later in the week had an early morning ski on this run. Wonderful snow, ice encrusted trees and a misty blue sky.

 So black runs, the one that is going to be used for the women's down hill World Cup next year has to be skied. First time round missed out the the two steepest sections, second time round Maria, Neil and I dared each other to do the steepest section and then for the final part where the jump will be Maria went straight for it, Neil uttered a profanity and I followed completing the whole run. However my time was no where near getting in the Great Britain team ignoring the fact of being male.  We continued to egg each other on with other black runs, some completed with more style, some completed slightly too fast and slightly out of control. Good to know that people in their 40s and 50s are able to behave in this way. Am pleased with my blacks this year, not so scary.

 Skiing in mountain weather is a challenge, winds, blowing snow, very cold and white outs. Thick snow in France is good for taking you out. White outs in Italy mean you have no idea where you are, which is up and down and if you are moving or not. Just aim at something and go seems a reasonable response to the conditions. This all makes for a great experience.

 

Final days are always helped by brilliant weather and a trip across the mountains to France with fine views of the Grand Jorasses with the Dent de Géant stabbing into the sky line and the huge bulk of Mont Blanc dominating from above. The return trip finished with a black red and blue hue, tears streaming from my eyes with the cold and speed. Then a final flourish with a black all the way to the village crowned by spinning out on some ice on a particularly steep section. Another excellent week of mountains, snow, bowls of pasta and wine. Can't get much better than that.

 

 

 On the way home I stare out of the aircraft window at the snow covered peaks. I remember doing the same as a young boy going on holiday with my parents. I thought they were fantastic then, I still do.

 

 

 

Six o'clock in the morning is always a bit of struggle to leave home, however a couple of days in North Wales makes it bearable. Roads good until I reach Llangollen, snow and ice make for interesting driving. Minus 6 on the car thermometer. This looks good. As the mountains come closer the temperature rises to zero, Good for the roads, not good for snow. Buy milk and park up at the foot of Tryfan, the finest profile of a mountain anywhere in the UK south of the Scottish border.
Eat breakfast in my yellow Scenic. This will be the last trip for this excellent car as it will be traded in for the new VW camper. It has been brilliant for bikes, camping, mountains and of course eating breakfast.

Set off for a half day walk up Pen yr Ole Wen, a brutal but satisfying climb up from Llyn Ogwen. The higher I went the snowier it became. Got talking to a fell runner, well he talked to me as I tried to keep up it an attempt to improve my fitness for Nepal in April. Finally said goodbye and he disappeared into the snow and cloud only to return to consult my GPS. Navigate my way off to go shopping only to find the fell runner coming back to me again - he had gone the wrong way. The things people do to get an extra climb in.

Later in Cotswold in Betws y Coed spend a lot of money on boots, trousers, monstrous mitts etc. for Nepal. Staff very helpful and full of advice. Fill car for the last time with petrol, visit public conveniences and head off to find a place to camp. Choose a site at the foot of Tryfan, Two tents on the site, but no one around. It is cold. Pitch and eat dinner in my scenic for the last time. Then cook some more dinner, very hungry. Sip a single malt

Two guys turn up pack their tents away, just me now, and Tryfan. Sip more single malt

A car turns up. "Have you seen a group." " Yes just behind the farm".  Talk about snow, crampons and mountains. They are off to warm homes. I have my tent. At least I have my new mega sleeping bag, down jacket and monstrous mitts. Lots of stars, cold wind, frozen ground, snow. Go to bed.

Wake up, too hot, remove down jacket and sort other clothing. At least the warm kit works.

The next day up and breakfast for the last time in the car, pay farmer. Dawn starts to appear from the east. Drive to Bethesda, starts to snow, park up, snowing, start walking, snowing. Make for the base of Yr Elan. Snow begins to become lighter, however on attaining the start of the ridge decide that this is not on, I am solo, cloud down, loads of snow.

Plot another route up to the top of the Carneddau, excellent snow slope, cloud clears to become a gorgeous day. Lots of snow and blue sky. Enjoy the climb, walk along the tops and return to the car. Drive home, shattered but happy.

The most dangerous bit of the trip: being run off the M6 by a truck. Hard shoulders have their uses.