daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com
Davie's days off: June 2012
http://daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html
Climbing, cycling and hillwalking in Scotland. Friday, June 29, 2012. Expedition to the Dolerites. Just had a wee expedition to the Dolerites in the company of Jim 'Faither' Hall. It was my first time there in 5 years and it was great to be back. It's very popular- mainly because there aren't many good crags in the Glasgow area. Consequently, it's a bit polished and it can also be a bit sandy in the car park area. Jim Hall on Spirogyra (VS). Get him a present. I felt a bit ashamed, but quickly swallo...
daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com
Davie's days off: August 2012
http://daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html
Climbing, cycling and hillwalking in Scotland. Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Bits and bobs in Monsoon season. After being spoiled by the incredibly dry Scottish Spring, drought has given way to a sucker punch of a Summer deluge that has scuppered many of my Summer climbing aspirations. "That'll teach ye! Cackles the cruel mistress of Scottish conditions. Burnsie's First Ascent of the Font 6B at 'Fintainebleau'. However, one line resisted our efforts. The overhanging West Wall had some good holds on it, b...
daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com
Davie's days off: Circuit of Arran on the bike
http://daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com/2013/09/circuit-of-arran-on-bike.html
Climbing, cycling and hillwalking in Scotland. Saturday, September 7, 2013. Circuit of Arran on the bike. 5 am on a Friday and I was up, cramming porridge down my gub and grabbing kit for my big cycling escapade. The dog looked up quizzically from his basket and then curled back to sleep. Far too early for him. Arran's Beinn Nuis in Winter. Profile of hills on circuit. I set off from the Co-Op in Brodick carrying 2 litres of juice in my drinks bladder thingy and a 5 pack of Chunky Kit Kats. The first...
daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com
Davie's days off: April Ice (with video)
http://daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-ice-with-video.html
Climbing, cycling and hillwalking in Scotland. Wednesday, April 17, 2013. April Ice (with video). With the onset of typical mild, Westerly Scottish gales it looks like our Winter climbing season is finished. It's been a great one, with cold settled conditions the norm rather than the exception. Fingers crossed the jet stream will stay South again and we'll get another belting Alpine style season next year! North East Buttress topo (as printed in Ken Crocket's 100 Classic Climbs). Dan had the pleasure of ...
daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com
Davie's days off: September 2013
http://daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com/2013_09_01_archive.html
Climbing, cycling and hillwalking in Scotland. Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Pedal for Scotland Sportive 2013. I've just done my first ever road cycling event- the 110 mile (180km) Pedal for Scotland Sportive (from Glasgow to Edinburgh, via East Ayrshire, the Southern Uplands and Lanarkshire). Lorna and me at Loudoun Hill- about a third of the way to Edinburgh. When I'd only managed 75 miles in a day so far. Summary of Sportive route. Start to my Sportive! Profile of the route- it's hilly! Just before w...
daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com
Davie's days off: Pedal for Scotland Sportive 2013
http://daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com/2013/09/pedal-for-scotland-sportive-2013.html
Climbing, cycling and hillwalking in Scotland. Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Pedal for Scotland Sportive 2013. I've just done my first ever road cycling event- the 110 mile (180km) Pedal for Scotland Sportive (from Glasgow to Edinburgh, via East Ayrshire, the Southern Uplands and Lanarkshire). Lorna and me at Loudoun Hill- about a third of the way to Edinburgh. When I'd only managed 75 miles in a day so far. Summary of Sportive route. Start to my Sportive! Profile of the route- it's hilly! Just before w...
daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com
Davie's days off: February 2012
http://daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html
Climbing, cycling and hillwalking in Scotland. Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Sunset over Harrington Sound (photo Davie Crawford). For me, the best bit has been the climbing. It's been tremendous- if highly esoteric! At first sight, it looks like there should be tons of climbing- but you change your mind when you actually touch the rock! In fairness, most of it has been formed from petrified sand dunes- so it's not too surprising that locals tend to look very puzzled if you tell them you climb de rock.
daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com
Davie's days off: February 2013
http://daviesdaysoff.blogspot.com/2013_02_01_archive.html
Climbing, cycling and hillwalking in Scotland. Thursday, February 14, 2013. Ben Lomond hat trick! We slogged our way up a partially broken trail to the summit ridge. Tying laces and putting poons on in the biting Easterly wind was purgatory, and it was a real relief to descend Easy Gully and find the coire was completely sheltered. Blood slowly returned to our extremities as we scoped out possibilities. Conditions were excellent- solid turf, bits of ice and a good amount of hoar on the rock. The 5km back...