Author Archive

Ben A’an

January 15th, 2012 • Hill walking

Had a nice wee stroll up the diminutive Ben A’an today. Was nice; broke some new boots in, scrambled back through the woods and had a spot of lunch by Loch Katrine. A little pedestrian perhaps but a fine day out with good company. First of the season, you have to ease yersel’ in, Ken? Aye to the Hills…

Fluich Uisge

October 15th, 2011 • Random

There has been some wet water about lately, here’s some massively over processed photos from a wet weekend in Loch Ard.

Relentless 24 – Binge Mountain Biking

October 9th, 2011 • Mountainbiking
Tags: , , ,

After a summer of being out on the mountain bike a grand total of 3 times, committing to do a 24hour race seemed like a good way of forcing me back to the hill. As I sit here fresh from the a82 south, tired, in pain and smelling like a rotting tramp I feel good. Why? There is no conceivable explanation.
The weather was harsh, classic Lochaber rain that ebbed from viscous drizzle to driving droplets the size of gravel. A massively improved course from previous years was at first fast and defined, proper climbs – proper descents, gone were the lonesome non-discript drags of old. The trail deteriorated in step with the weather and become an eroded minefield of draggy mud, slick roots and newly dug holes. The night shifts were hard lonely slogs, interrupted only by brief chats with folk either passing or lagging and the hugely enthusiastic (drunk?) marshals. The craic was mighty back in camp, with few dull moments of introspective pain and exhaustion.
So the question remains; Why? Why indeed, why was is so enjoyable when for vast amounts of time there was nothing but pain and contemptuous weather / terrain? The answer my friends is in the stars, there is no answer. It is a strange paradox of pain, laughter, adrenalin, sleep deprivation and the enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures camaraderie, sustenance and the comfort that comes from rest in dry clothes and warm places.

Red Bull – Mini Drome – Glasgow

October 4th, 2011 • Cycling


Roller Twist

August 15th, 2011 • Cycling


To celebrate the inception of a new shed syndicate, I felt it was time to exercise the demons from my old shed. I love sheds and all they can be, they are magnificently simple refuges of dirt, oil, sweat and blood.

Last winter during a particularly low-ebb in life I set about punishing myself on some rollers. Riding rollers is odd. You go nowhere, you have to concentrate to remain upright. Constantly pedalling to stay in the same place; a dark, freezing shed in Clydebank.

So here’s to the new shed may it be a jewel in the crown of life’s simple pleasures.

Laide

August 7th, 2011 • Random

Achmelvich

August 1st, 2011 • 1 comment Camping, Rock Climbing


Fort William – World Cup DH 2011

June 7th, 2011 • 1 comment Mountainbiking

Here’s a few from the World Cup DH. By all accounts the race was a close one and shook up the established names a bit, with two young riders – Danny Hart and Brook MacDonald making it into the top 3. Experience won out in the end with South African Greg Minaar sealing victory. With the next race in Austria next weekend it’ll be interesting to see who makes the podium, it seems certain that the new blood are finding their way to the top, should be an interesting season.

10 under the Ben 2011

May 22nd, 2011 • Mountainbiking

Rain and Wind dominated, Lochaber stamped it’s authority over people and land. It seemed at points that everything might turn to liquid and get blown away. The course was brutal, long uphill fire roads with and against the wind, natural rooty wood sections that got dug deep with each passing lap eventually turning into a curious mud river, which was likened to lava.

With survival mode engaged The Crank Addicts, a team of 4 (Rushworth, Jen, Spad & Somhairle) rode well as did all associated teams. In all 12 medals amongst the lot of us. A monumental feat of heroism from SPAD got us on the podium and top ten in class.

Big thankyou to the BARR and all who chipped in on an amazing after party / recovery and No Fuss for running such an insane and enjoyable event.

‘

Sgurr na Lapaich

May 9th, 2011 • 1 comment Hill walking, Mountains

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About High-8

High-8 is a loose gathering of like minded adventurists who document first person, on the ground experiences with words, photos and film. The hope is to form a rough guide to outdoor adventure sports in Scotland and provide a warts and all, honest representation of what we find. No sport is excluded from mountaineering and mountain biking to gorge walking and kayak all are welcome and encouraged.

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The Code

The Country Code, which most of us learned in school (and we probably haven't read since!), was updated in 2004 when it became the Countryside Code. Here's the updated version:
  • Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs
  • Leave gates and property as you find them
  • Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
  • Keep dogs under close control
  • Consider other people
In Scotland, where there is a more general right of access, there also exists the Scottish Outdoor Access Code:
  • Take responsibility for your own actions
  • Respect people’s privacy and peace of mind
  • Help farmers, landowners and others to work safely and effectively
  • Care for the environment
  • Keep your dog under proper control
  • Take extra care if you are organising a group, an event or running a business.
There's obviously a lot to to be learned from these - it's amazing how many people get out to enjoy the countryside but are still happy to leave it in a mess. Even with the recent updates, the Countryside Codes seem slightly outdated when considering the wider issues involved when lots of people get out into the countryside. Some places just can't handle high volumes of people, no matter how they behave and publicity, no matter how interesting or well-done , has the potential to attract lots of people to an area. Blogs including video, pictures or words, form part the the wider media which could easily contribute to tipping the balance, and so we as bloggers have to consider the implications of what we decide to post. Can the place we're writing about take more people, and if not, it might be wiser to leave maps, place names or grid references out of posts. In Scotland, the Mountain Bothies Association has been careful to protect the location of some Bothies due to mis-treatment and, in some cases, even malicious vandalism. That is not to say they would not advocate people using them - in fact, a well used, maintained and loved network of bothies exist, and the MBA as an organisation is there to encourage this. Some bothies are busier than others but generally it is the less remote places which are more susceptible to abuse - something which might be worth considering when deciding whether to post information. It must be said, in most cases it's obvious what should or shouldn't be publisiced, but it's worth taking these considerations to mind.

Please note: The Code is constantly being revised and added to. If you like to add something login in to the discussion on the forum.