New Year 2018/19

Posted on March 19, 2019 by yellowvanmountaineering

Back to business as usual this year (Scotland), only with a still-quite-new baby in tow. Which we thought would change everything, and it did in some ways. But there were still friends and family, tea and mince pies, amazing New Year’s Eve curry feast and silly games, and fickle Scottish weather. Oh, and it turns out you can bag three new Munros in winter with a 12-week-old, if conditions are perfect…

Thanks to David, Ruth and possibly some other people for a few of the NYE/Munro photos I’ve nicked (for the purposes of more complete documentation)!

We spent a few days in Blairgowrie. There was a good track beside the River Ericht

Jess enjoyed being out!

Off-road section over local hill, the Knockie

Evening fun

We took the chariot up Mount Blair. The track was rougher and steeper than expected, so much so that we took Jess out shortly after this

So Dave heroically pushed it (with all our kit) to the top anyway!

Brief, windy summit photo

Great views on the run down

More evening fun

Windy walk to Findgask Loch

Bluebell Wood

We then transferred to Crianlarich. Cloudy but dry walk around the community woodland, Drovrers Loop and River Fillan

New Year’s Eve: Jess meets Ellen!

Jess gets lots of attention from everyone

New Year’s Day: sunny, no wind. Persuaded, aided and abetted by Pettits, we went up Beinn Ime

The Cobbler looking amazing (with baby)

Getting higher

Warm work carrying Jess

She made it!

Views from the summit

After that, we decided that Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers (higher, but actually shorter and less ascent) would actually be fairly sensible

My turn to carry this time

Heading from Beinn Ghlas to Lawers

Jess’s first snow!

“Is this her first Munro?” “No, it’s her third actually”

Feeding faff (who doesn’t want their lunch at the highest point of the day?)

More community woodlands: Tyndrum this time, and lunch at the very baby-friendly Artisan Cafe in an old chapel

Cuddles with Daddy

On the old railway above Lochearnhead

Scary encounter (who for?!)

I think we know where she got her hair from.

Alps 2018

Posted on March 5, 2019 by yellowvanmountaineering

Finally getting around to updating the blog….

Over the summer, we headed to the Alps. Dave headed up some peaks, while Jo did some lower level walking, cable car riding and intensive resting in the campsite. It was the first time we’d taken the van to the Alps in summer since the rather soggy Saas trip of 2014, and we were relieved that this one didn’t follow suit (although our expectations have probably evolved somewhat in the intervening years).

We were based initially in Bormio, Italy, where summits reached included Monte Cevedale and Punta San Matteo. We also drove up and down the Stelvio Pass a silly number of times, explored the WW2 front line, and can highly recommend the pizza and gelato at the campsite.

We then transferred over the border to Morteratsch near Pontresina in the Engadine, Switzerland. The highlight from here was Piz Palu (just sub-4000m), and we also made friends with the marmots around Piz Languard, were introduced to Megacremeschnitte (Dave promised to recreate these at home, but for some reason hasn’t got round to it yet) and did some valley climbing.

A mainly (upward) traversing warm-up walk from Bormio 2000 lift station

Valle di Sobretta

Back in the high alps

Refugio

Monte Cevedale

Alpine start views

From Cevedale, looking back towards Gran Zebru

Approaching the summit

From Monte Cevedale, first look at the ridge to come

It was a straightforward (but rarely done) ridge across over Monte Rosole to Palon de la Mare

Looking back over Monte Rosole to Monte Cevedale

Palon de la mare summit

Views across the Ghiacciaio dei Forni

Descending the interesting glacier to finish our one way alpine day with minimal guidebook instruction – success!

Meanwhile, Jo went for a wander up the valley and round some alpine forests

Only got a bit lost with Italian maps and their lack of resemblance to reality

A mainly (downward) traversing walk taking in Monte Scorluzzo. Leaving the ski areas behind

Views from Monte Scorluzzo 1

Views from Monte Scorluzzo 2 (and the ridge ahead)

Views from Monte Scorluzzo 3

Down scrambling (don’t think this is in any list of approved pregnancy activities, oh well)

Filone del Mot, a most enjoyable ridge

Military village

The van got a flat tyre. There was a garage at the bottom of the campsite hill. The other residents were bemused

A one day attempt on a peak (Punta San Matteo)

First issue – river crossing. It’s not meant to rain later is it?

Summit reached, just as the snow starts

Descending the narrow ridge with care, before a snow/hail storm with lightening too close for comfort engulfs us. Some inspired navigation meant that only a few feet went into crevasses and we appeared at the bottom of the glacier wet but safe.

Starting to dry out, having had an ‘interesting’ river crossing

Sunshine meant I had dried out by the end of the walk, despite not having waterproofs….

A misty Piz Languard

Clearing up on the descent

Marmots!

Wandering around Alp Languard

Megacremeschnitte!

Evening view of Piz Palu and friends from the Diavolezza hut/hotel (the others having gone to bed while it was all still cloud-covered)

Piz Palu has one of the more crevasses and serac-y glaciers I’ve travelled across

Tricky finding the right path through the seracs, but great views

Exciting, but the glacier thoughtfully had easier points around every hour to allow for short breaks.

Zig zagging through the many massive crevasses that protect the col

Simon emerging from a successful Bergschund crossing

We had managed to stay near the front of all the groups on the mountain, giving us relative quiet.

The summit! Only stayed here for seconds as we needed to get down the narrow summit ridge before other parties came up – passing places didn’t exist

Just starting the narrowest section.

An attempt to give a sense of the narrowness and exposure – the right hand snow field dropped away steeply for many hundreds of metres

Picture of the summit of Piz Palu. Some Swiss mountaineers assumed we hadn’t done this as we didn’t have a guide…

Surveying the slighly less narrow, but still interesting section

Waiting at a passing place

Off down the glacier again

Soon after this photo, we took a ‘short cut’ and ended up lowering/downclimbing into/across crevasses. Fun was not had by all during this.

A look at Piz Palu, with the three summits. One of the best glacier/snow alpine days.

Piz Palu at breakfast time (there might be some specks on the summit…)

View from Sass Queder (waiting for the mountaineers to return)

On the way to some crags below the Morteratsch glacier

Valley climbing

Friendly dog wants porridge

Mainly (downward) traversing walk from the Julierpass to St Moritz

St Moritzersee

Chocolate Cheesecake

Posted on August 5, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

We don’t normally take pictures of our food, but then it’s highly irregular that our creations deserve it.

Yes, I added a giraffe to the decorations. The elephant didn’t turn out so well…

Van updates

Posted on July 13, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

So the great thing about having self converted is that we can continually add or change things as we go – it’s never really finished.
While the main test of this will be next year’s addition, for now I’ve got a few photos of the latest updates from this year.

Back when we hired cars, we used to have a ‘car bag’ of useful things that came with us. With the van, most things are permanent, but we’ve recently started using a ‘van box’ and it has been fantastic – keeping goodies tidy in the front, while easy to carry to and from the house. Simple idea, but brilliant.

Stocked with enough stores to get us to Italy

The ‘AA hole’, left by the previous owner has now been adapted to hold the bluetooth to FM converter, that connected phones to the van radio. A neat little sliding door hides it all.

We soon found that actually the device needs to have a near vertical cable to broadcast the FM signal, so it’s an empty box…

While the device is now neatly stored on the passenger side, with the cable running inside the pillar

Another wee addition – removable lip under the seat near the door. We’ve been storing the repair kit, brush and tarp/awning here for years, but after loosing 2 brushes out the door, this now keeps everything in place

Kept in place by a small tab behind the seat post and resting against the side, yet surprisingly secure.

A set of boxes behind the stove, tied together and to the van gives us more organisation space – yet to be beautified by someone with paint or carpet…

Lights almost all working after a bit of tinkering.

Sadly my poor soldering skills couldn’t save this one, but I found a blanking plug for the meantime

Particularly proud of the dual colours, and the fact it only took me an afternoon and used up some cord I had lying around.

Finally, after 6 months we bought a second van key, which required a key ring. I’ve made a few of these style over the years, but this is my best.

Far North

Posted on June 24, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

A week of fantastic weather in the far north of Scotland, tootling from Tongue to Ullapool via a few hills, a couple of cycle rides and a lot of beaches.

An afternoon jaunt up Ben Loyal – tough going in the heat

Though the river crossings were easy

Messing about on the summit tors

Kyle of Tongue from the actual summit

Campsite somewhere on the A836, shared with a few sheep (and Ben Loyal in the background)

Arty sunset photography

View north from Castle Varrich just west of Tongue

Beach and boats at Talmine (and Rabbit Islands)

Loch Eriboll

Traigh allt Chailgeag near Durness

Rock pinnacle

Next campsite, this time on the A838, possibly with Cranstackie behind

Rhiconich

Arkle

Foinaven from Arkle

Ridge to Arkle summit

Magical landscape

Back along the ridge

Sandwood Bay, where we went to see the sunset

Picturesque sea stack

Atlantic waves

Reflections

Tracks in the sand

Dave took photos with the good camera – he might post them sometime…

Crossing waves

More reflections and sea stack

Last of the sun

Kylesku

Quinag overlooking our cycling preparations (mainly suncream)

Somewhere on the B869

Lunch, with views of Assynt

Beach at Clashnessie

More beach

Beach and rocks

Canisp and Suilven

Altandhu

Stac Pollaidh

Slightly hazy, but still warm – and busy

Loch Lurgainn through the pinnacles

Badentarbat Bay at Achiltibuie

Clear water and pebbles

Cycling around the Coigach peninsula – views of the Summer Isles

More views of Assynt

Achnahaird beach

Van life

Beach again

Paddling / swimming

Sand patterns

Atmospheric evening on Cul Mor

Loch Broom at Ullapool

Our wedding photos

Posted on May 2, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

We’ve finally finished sorting out our wedding photos from October 2016. Here’s the final edit, with huge thanks to everyone who took pictures and sent them to us afterwards – we wouldn’t have these wonderful memories without you. We hope you enjoy reminiscing as much as we have!

- Projection: Cylindrical (1) FOV: 178 x 74 Ev: 10.63

Oeztal Ski Tour

Posted on April 25, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

We (or rather our friends who we piggybacked on) had planned a tight schedule, meaning we packed light, with few clothes other than those needed for a 6 day hut to hut trip. Unfortunately weather and snow conditions meant drastic changes were needed to the schedule, but at least this meant we got our flight home.

Everything was going well until Luton Airport, where our flight was delayed. Once in Munich the car hire had partially closed and we ended up with a smaller car. Finally with everything crammed in, we tried to exit the car park. After causing chaos by failing to get the barriers open, trying a second barrier and manoeuvring a full, new and unfamiliar car around the other impatient drivers we found we needed a ticket that the hire desk had forgotten to give us…

Getting to our accommodation at around 3.30, we crashed into bed, but not before reading a message from Simon saying the forecast meant a 7am breakfast. Urgh.
A sleepy breakfast followed and we crammed back into the car to travel to Vent to start the tour. Having managed to squeeze in a repack and shower while Simon and Jane caught the bus, the four of us assumed we were way behind and would find them waiting for us in the car park in Vent. As we approached Vent, a friendly man had to open a snow gate for us to pass into the village. Parking the car (and unsticking it from the snow, and re-parking it somewhere else) took some time, but eventually we learnt that the bus had stopped running, the road was closed – we had been one of the last cars through – and Simon and Jane were on the other side.

Much deliberation followed, and with an awful forecast for the next day, combined with the prospect of Simon and Jane having to return home, we failed to commit to the walk to the hut early enough and decided to reunite everyone and try again the following day. However, we were, for now, stuck in Vent so we went for a quick skinning and skiing practice around the local area, before waiting (first in line) for the snow gates to open again and let us back down.

We were exceptionally lucky to find last-minute accommodation over the Easter weekend (at the same place as our initial night), where cheap good food was also available for dinner. The next day was a washout, so we skied on piste at a small resort (Hochoetz), struggling to see much more than a few metres ahead.

With the forecast showing slowly improving weather, we decided to head into the Vernagt Hut for 3 nights. This meant no hut to hut touring, but made the best of the 4 days we had left.

A quick skin up the track, and we were soon ready to head up the side glen towards the hut, which went on forever. Next, the guidebook mentioned something about being next to cables. Given the wind-scoured hard snow, we proceeded with caution to be met with a howling gale, spindrift, steep slopes and some interesting drops that really needed avoided. After this awkward descending traverse (with some cables to trip over), we recommenced the plod to the hut in winds that covered our tracks as soon as we made them. After a while, I decided that despite my re-found love of trailblazing, I couldn’t break trail all the way to the hut and dropped to the back. This was just as well, as it put me in prime position to see a gust of wind catch Bethan and Jo out and knock them flying cartoon style down the hill.

The Vernagt hut is a DAV hut, which was quiet despite being Easter weekend (almost empty when we left on the Wednesday). It had very attentive hosts, piles of pasta, enormous strudels and great march tea. It also had hot running water and the possibility of a shower. However, it lacked hut slippers.

Our first day tour from the hut took us up over the Brochkogeljoch and round to the Wildspitze. With masses of teams coming from at least 3 different directions, it was an impressive line up to the summit. With cloud being blown across the summit in the winds, and a slightly suspect slope to descend back to the hut, we made a decision to turn around at the ski depot. With hindsight, the slope was fine, but it was too late by then.

The second day tour led us up the Fluchtkogel, which gave a wonderful skin up the glacier, and a windy summit on skis. The first wind-scoured slopes were like a well-groomed piste, and having checked out the snow on the way up, I was excited for the powder down from the col. My excitement soon ended as I crashed out on the first turn having completely misjudged the snow – it was heavy, with a slight crust under the surface. Once I had found my ski again, the ski back to the hut was entertaining, with various levels of inability to turn in crusty snow. The one good patch was slightly spoiled for me as I was out first in low light levels and wobbled about everywhere as rolling bumps came out of nowhere.

The final day came, and we decided to hot-foot it out of the area to ensure we got past any potential road closures – getting caught the wrong side of the avalanche barriers would have meant a missed flight. An icy descent followed, with a storm brewing above us. Driving down the road, it was clear they had been blasting recently – massive 3-4 m avalanche debris had been cleared from the road, with many small trees caught up in it. We had a couple of walks around towns before getting on the flight home, including Mittenwald – slightly dubious as we drove in past the military base, but actually a wonderfully painted town centre with exceptional ice cream.

Although another ski tour that didn’t go to plan, it was a fantastic week out in Austria.

Skinning up the path to have a look at avalanchy slopes

Fun, despite the drastic changes to the plan

Skiing and transition practice, while Jo sleeps at the bottom…

A brief view while piste skiing in Hochoetz

The team, looking surprising cheerful about another flat light run. (Actually we were heading for lunch…)

A quick road walk to start off the trip

Fast paced skin along the track.

Looking back down towards Vent

Note the quick change in layers as we sort ourselves out for following a chained pathway on skis

A long plod towards the hut

We never tried the worst noodles

Excited to get off for a day out

Up the moraine, then branching out across the glacier

Delightful expanse and views

Great kick turn practice up to the Brochkogeljoch

First sight of the hoards

View from the ski depot

Dave enjoying the steeper section

Surveying the run out

Final turns to the hut

Fluchtkogel here we come

Wind-scoured final slope

We pop over the col to find yet another massive expanse of glacial plateau

Summit to be pleased about

Looking down towards the Brandenburghutte – sadly not open for a lunch stop

Dave enjoying the piste-like conditions off the top.

CUHWC Winter Skills 2018

Posted on March 29, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

So once again we headed to Glencoe, this time to meet up with 4 current CUHWC members who had agreed to let Dave lead a winter skills course.

The 4 (Sarah, Bronwen, Chris and Simon) had been out the day before, and had some experience between them, so it was an intense couple of days covering lots of skills and lots of ground to practise them on.

First up, we headed towards Buachaille Etive Beag, to run through the basic personal skills – footwork, crampons and axes. After lunch we put these into practice by walking over both Munros and taking the direct route down to the car.

The next day, we planned an ambitious ascent of Bidean Nam Bian, ascending up to Coire nan Lochan, again recapping on the personal skills, while also talking more about route choice, planning and avalanches. The ascent onto Stob Coire nan Lochan provided some slightly more interesting mixed ground and some fantastic views on top. The consensus was to head for Bidean instead of doing any more skills, so we pressed on, up an imposing looking snow arete to find Bidean was also out of the cloud when we arrived. Knowledge from a passing helpful mountaineer told us the descent into the Lost Valley was not suitable. This wasn’t much of a surprise, so we retraced our steps and descended from Stob Coire nan Lochan back to the car, managing to fit in a brief demonstration of rope work and enjoying the good slidability of the snowpack.

It was a fantastic couple of days, with great weather, surprisingly good conditions and good company. Thanks to CUHWC and the guys

Found our first snow not too far from the road

Learning to walk again

Off to find another patch of snow

How not to hold an axe

“Now trip yourselves up”

‘Self belay’

SLIDING!

Surprisingly effective snow for both sliding and stopping

Stationary practice of the self arrest position

Dave goes for a slide

Mid arrest

Head first – looking good!

Another head first

We’ll try that again

Stomping in crampons

Let’s try this for real on a hill.

The top of Stob Dubh

Found an interesting way off

Looking back at Stob Dubh and the group coming up the ridge to Stob Coire Raineach

A lovely snow ramp direct to the car

Next day – into Stob Coire nan Lochan

Starting up the ridge to the summit

Found some rocky sections

More fun

Everyone (except photographer) on Stob Coire nan Lochan

The ridge to Bidean was too nice to miss out on

Taking care on the exposed slope

From Stob Coire nan Lochan, looking north to Glencoe and the Aonach Eagach

Good cornice avoiding on the way down

Final romp down the glen.

for a great weekend, I hope they all continue to enjoy the winter mountains.

Proper Scottish Winter

Posted on March 27, 2018 by yellowvanmountaineering

In February, Jo took a couple of days of work and we zoomed up to the Glencoe area to see if winter was still around. It was.

Stayed in the van, but with the luxury of campsite showers and ‘shore power’ for the heater. Van living, combined with 4 consecutive quality winter mountain days out and a trip to the Clachaig made us feel a bit closer to being real Scottish mountaineers.

Victoria Bridge, setting off into a typical Scottish day

Slogging up to the ‘other’ Aonoch Eagach (on Stob Ghabhar) – we found snow!

Great ridge in a bit of sun

Looking NE out to Rannoch Moor

Approaching the interesting section

Stob Ghabhar looking rather fine

Aonach Eagach (a dog followed us along here, with owner)

Dave in mountains

It then got windy, cloud rolled in and we didn’t see anything as we summitted. After a bit of compass work, we were back on the ridge, descending this time.

Dave wondering if this slope is a) the correct way and b) safe

Dave lolloping down the deep snow

Once again, the weather turned as we climbed up Stob a’ Choire Odhair, so no photos. This is Dave again playing in the snow as we descended off Beinn Toaig towards the van