Mercian Mountaineering Club

Ladies and Gents

Next year's 'Snow Week' will be held from 15 - 22 Feb 2014 in Braemar, Scotland. (Half term week).

Braemar is in the heart of the Cairngorms and is the perfect location for winter mountaineering, whether novice or experienced. The last few years have seen plenty of snow and last year was a brilliant meet, with lots of winter mountaineering and skiing. Glenshee ski resort is a 15 minute drive away for those wanting to try the slopes without the hassle and expense of going to the Alps. Other ski fields are also reachable from here. Even without the white stuff, there will be plenty of winter walking, biking, kayaking and other activities to be had.

Accommodation will be the Braemar Bunkhouse at a cost of £105 for the week. Directions are here http://www.braemarlodge.co.uk/bunk-house Towels and bed linen are provided.

There may be a chance to dig a snow hole and sleep in it if conditions are good, in which case if you have a warm sleeping bag, roll mat, bivvy bag and small stove, bring them with you.

People down so far:

Tom
Huw
Julie
Sandy
Fiona
Matt K
Louise

As i said on the email, I'm keen. Got the time booked off already.

Worth noting that even if we get good snow there are people interested in doing only the mountaineering side if non boarders/skiers are considering joining us. H

Can you rent ski gear up there?

yeah you can. Last year I just got some skis and boots off ebay though for roughly the same price you'd pay to hire.

Cool, how much was that?

about £70-80. I'm sure it worked out better value than hiring I'll be using them again this year so they'll definitely have been worth it. You might get some cheaper as well you never know.

Hire at Glenshee is 1day 20quid, 2days 36, 3 days 50, 6days 62, 7 days 72.

So if you can manage cheap kit that fits, then it is a blinder, but if we only go for 2 days its not too bad. Saying that we've been stitched up queueing for kit before!

Its only a little resort compared to the alps, but its still boarding/skiing, so fun. V weather dependant obviously, so need to have crampons/ice axe for winter mountaineering also. Lift passes 29quid a day, so if there is snow but not brilliant, we'd prob only do a few days.

Ok then, sounds good! Could you put me down please?

Huw, can you remember what they told you about a beginners board when you were thinking of getting one. I thought I might see what's knocking around on ebay.

Hm, can't remember, i'll try and dig out the bit of paper! On its end its supposed to come to the height of your chin, and I wouldn't go for anything too stiff if you're starting out.

Vic, if you do board on this meet you could use my snowboard boots rather than hire or buy some, up to you.

Ah, thank you. What size are they? I can't remember if we're quite the same size or not.

Hi vic, my boots are size 4. let me know if you would like to use them.