Dry but ominously dark clouds when I arrived at the Cairn Gorm Ski Centre car park. David had offered me a lesson in winter mountain skills. Jill, his wife, came along too. The walk in to the practice slopes of Coire an Lochan took an hour so lots of time to catch up on what’s been happening in each of our lives…
First lesson: holding the axe (sharp bit facing backwards) thumb and forefinger round the flatter bit
Using it for support and balance: hold the axe in the hand which is higher up the hill – especially important when traversing a hill. Cutting steps. And “Arresting” – best to avoid falling in the first place but if I do fall I now know how to fall feet first and head first!
Great fun trying to get into the head first position: lie down in snow on my front. Gradually rotate body round till feet up hill. Dig feet in to hold position before lifting feet and sledging down until Arresting with Axe.
What an adrenaline rush.
Then there was Cutting a block for Avalanche awareness I know what to look out for and get the hell out of there if I find it.
Walking in crampons over ice: flat footing – keeping all the points in contact to maximise the grip. Accept the theory and did try the practice but just kept thinking: if I saw ice like this, on a gradient like this, I’d find another way round it. Definitely.
Can understand and accept the definition of mad iceaxe woman – providing friends concede that I’m competent with it!
Walked back to ski centre in blizzard.
Lunch in a wee greasy spoon near Glenmore Lodge: delicious home made vegan potato and leek soup (chef cross examined to make sure we could all eat it). Watched the red squirrels on the ropes in the trees just on the other side of the glass. Little cuties.
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