On Friday Ali and Andy went ski-mountaineering on Ben Wyvis, our local big hill (it's over 1000m high). No chairlifts, funicular railways or tows here, just a long and energetic climb up through forest and coire. It took about 3 and a half hours to the summit. The weather and snow conditions were just about perfect. At the top it was a little breezy so we peeled off the skins covering the base of our skis (these help the skis stick to the snow for the uphill) and set off down. Andy went ahead carving perfect telemark turns in the smooth wind-packed snow in the sunshine. Perfect! I followed, even managing a few decent turns on the better snow. Lower down the snow was softer and I took a few face-planters when my bindings released. A few equipment adjustments to make tomorrow. We were down in 90 minutes.
Andy and a telemark turn
Andy near the bottom, not letting up
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