[galpinos]

Quite cool

http://www.nowness.com/day/2012/2/16/1893/jacob-sutton-s-l-e-d-surfer

Galpinos, you still up here next weekend?

Very cool, I've have to get me one of those suits.

Yep, still coming up. The two lads I'm going with are up Friady as well, I'm just there for the weekend. There's some music/comedy festival on in Aviemore so depending on the conditions, I may be drinking more than skiing!

[SA Chris]

Cool, keep in touch. I may be able to do a day hit, depending on conditions / passes. Unless things change, might be bouldering!

[galpinos]

For those of you keep on sideslipping on a tray:



He's quite handy!

[SA Chris]

How was your Aviemore weekend?

[galpinos]

Pretty good in the end, though no skiing in the cairngorms!

Saturday day we did Number 4 on the Ben, back to Avimore for the comedy gig then over to Creag Meagaidh on Sunday to do Easy Gully. Weather was pretty mixed, it rained all day Saturday form leaving the car to getting back, but the snow was pretty good to ski.

Easy Gully is a fantastic ski. Quite keen to go back and do it again sometime and have a look at Raeburns as well.

Off up the Ben in the drizzle:



Topping out Number 4:



Setting off up Easy Gully:



More Easy Gully:



Walking back to the trainer stash:



Me doing a couple of turns:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35202205@N02/6792116890/#secret4b66d88209in/photostream

Tried to embed the video but no joy!

[SA Chris]

Nice one, you got more done than I expected. A mate of mine did a solo trip up Easy Gully about a month ago under about a foot of fresh, he said he was psyched to get back to do Raeburn's too. Looks like you had the "full scottish" conditions. 

[galpinos]

We got far more done than I thought too. One of the lads wasn't that experienced (he could ski but not done much general mountain stuff) and having seen the amount of snow in the Cairngorms I was pretty unsure how the weekend would pan out, hence I didn’t get in touch. Didn’t want you to waste a day pass for what could have been a rubbish weekend.

The conditions were definitely Scottish, we were sodden by the end of Saturday and had to put up with some twat at the CIC telling us how we “climbing to our deaths” heading up Number 4 before slagging of Guy’s rental skis and saying we were stupid walking up from the North Face car park and not coming up the tourist track. Proper twat. We did get a lift down with a couple of guys from Plas Y Brenin from the top car park though, which was much appreciated!

I shall have to stop sullying this thread with two stick related tales!

[SA Chris]

All good I think. two sides of the same coin.

I was not totally over manflu this time last week, so I think a day or two like that would have killed me.

Amazing some of the twats you get on the hills.

[galpinos]

A bit late in the season but I found these funny:

[SA Chris]

http://saisncairngorms.blogspot.com/

And so it begins! I really hope it lasts! 2 deg and rain here at coast, snow falling hard from foothills upwards.

[Johnny Brown]

Seriously thinking about chopping my board in half. Anyone done it?

[Adam Lincoln]

Seriously thinking about chopping my board in half. Anyone done it?

Been looking at the kits to convert myself. Might try it on my shit board i use in the uk!

[galpinos]

Seriously thinking about chopping my board in half. Anyone done it?

I had a friend who did it "back in the day" when I was doing seasons ('02-'05) and his verdict was:
- He was chuffed
- His board was softer but perfectly ridable, had to work harder is tough snow but it was a worthwhile pay off
- He wouldn't do it to his only board
- He was pretty good so your experience may vary

No idea if things have changed but I can only assume the kits have got better. I imagine starting with a stiffer board helps.

[Johnny Brown]

Sounds good. Last year I had five days in Cham, three days touring, 'twas fantastic. I've got an old Burton Fluid I bought with a student loan, at 159 its on the long side for me, bit trashed but still great off piste, and doesn't owe me anything. My Dad has a bench saw...

Costs look like Voile split kit £100, Spark bindings £300, Skins £120, Crampons £80, ie £5-600 all in.

[lagerstarfish]

don't forget heel risers (unless they are part of the binding?)

[SA Chris]

Or just get a pair of those little approach skis you can strap on your pack when skiing down. I can remember seeing a second hand pair for sale somewhere recently, will try recall where.

I've thought about it before, but for touring I'm an reasonable enough skier to hack my way down most things, and if I'm doing anything "side country" I usually hike it (with an old pair of flexi crampons if needed) or use snowshoes.

edit: Just found the approach blades on Aberdeen Ski Touring page on FB. Bindings for ski boot / mountaineering boot so probably not what you are after.

[SA Chris]

Seriously thinking about chopping my board in half. Anyone done it?

Just remember which way to chop

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

My Dad has a bench saw...

I'd avoid a large toothed bench saw designed for chopping wood, it will take quite a chunk out of the board and the finish will be well rough. Ideally you need a large band saw or industrial frikkin laser! You might find one of your work neighbours might have something suitable and would do it for a few beers.

[Johnny Brown]

Given by the finish he gets on his clocks/ toy trains etc I reckon it'll be perfect.

[SA Chris]

Obi has a point. Cutting wood to a nice finish, and cutting sintered plastic and composites are two different stories.

[ianto9]

Seriously thinking about chopping my board in half. Anyone done it?

Check this out from my mate jony http://chamonixinsider.com/tag/jonny-barr/

[Johnny Brown]

Don't worry guys, I think I can choose an appropriate blade.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

[Johnny Brown]

Check this out from my mate jony http://chamonixinsider.com/tag/jonny-barr/

Nice, ta, loads of good info there. Waterjet cutting does sound pretty good, looks like there are a few places in Sheffield too.

Not sure I'll go for the Voile kit but its all good info.

[SA Chris]

Not sure if I've posted this up before, but a friend of mine has set up a site trying to document some of the gully skiiing in Scotland. Feel free to add anything if you want to contribute

http://www.steepscotland.info/

useful for stuff closer to this side of the country, and can be used in conjunction with the Haggis trap info

http://www.haggistrap.co.uk/offpiste.shtml