Author Archive

Tilt

December 13th, 2011 • Mountainbiking
Tags: , , , ,

Against advice we went to do the classic Glen Tilt route on bike.  It was said definitely a route for dry conditions, not on the back of one of the wettest weeks of the year.  we almost turned back in a snowstorm but with a chin to the wind  we were rewarded as we dropped down into Glen Tilt.  The pictures cant do it justice.  Classic and Epic.

River Allen

October 30th, 2011 • River Kayaking
Tags: ,

Carrying on Somhairle’s water vibe…

Camera 2 took a hell a beating at the weekend.  I was just trying to persuade him might be time to think about retirement – a ‘well deserved rest’ it would be.  Round and round, recirculating under a weir he went, long after I had got out of there.  Not many would make it through that,especially after the life he’s had, but I think he was throwing down the gauntlet, as there’s a new camera in town – and by god did he not show the young guns how it’s done -even at that grand old age.  He’s just been wandering about the house since then with a extra spring in his step, babbling on about nights in the desert, days on mountains and about new cameras not being up to much  ’ I’ll show them 9 point auto-focus’.

A trip to Visit the Devil

August 6th, 2011 • Gorge Walking

These should’ve gone up a while ago but I was overcome by lethargy and away for a while.    Here’s some from a Drumchapel Canoe Club tuesday evening trip to see Auld Nick at The Devil’s Pulpit.  Who would’ve thought the Devil lived so close to Glasgow?  [Don't answer that].

Return to the North West

August 1st, 2011 • Camping, Cycling, Mountainbiking, Rock Climbing

It’s never enough to satisfy the craving but for a few days at least it’s all there, and you with it.

 

Beach heat

May 11th, 2011 • 1 comment Uncategorized

We caught the best of the recent heat wave on the beaches of wales.

Point 5

March 14th, 2011 • 1 comment Winter climbing

Some pics from Point 5 Gully on the Ben – possibly the classic Scottish ice climb.

Weekend in the cloud for 20 minutes out of it.

February 15th, 2011 • 1 comment Mountains, Winter climbing

Finally manged to peel myself away from the desk and with Ewan’s help made it out to the wild lands round the back of Ben Nevis.  A nasty accident on the A82 on Friday night almost killed progress altogether, as did a seized brake caliper, with further progress only resuming after hitting it with an ice axe.  But coming down off Aonach Beag, the clouds opened and it all became obvious.

8.5mm on the Ben

January 24th, 2011 • Mountains, Winter climbing

rescued beautifully from falling down the Ben by Ewan and his rope. cheers for that one. Same rope came in useful for rescuing two other stranded cats with their claws stuck in the ice. Even the thunderbirds used it when we got on the blower for backup. The bellychopper was useful but the rope in the right hands (Ewan’s) came out tops, all 8.5mm of it.

Sazava

December 9th, 2010 • 1 comment River Kayaking

The Czech Republic’s River Sazava on a early October trip.  It runs right through the middle of fairytale country.

Breaking the Ice

December 6th, 2010 • Winter climbing

Lamb chops and myself headed out with spikes on for our first ice-climb of the season on Oui Oui (near Newtonmore and conveniently right next to the road).

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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.