Winter walking

Photo- Sam Roberts

On Saturday Sam, Joel, Patrick and I thought that because of all this snow we must go into the hills to find steep slopes and waterfalls.   So we headed to Glen Mark at the top of the River North Esk.

Photo- Sam Roberts

After a very exiting drive in the little Peugot through snowdrifts and ice fields we arrived at the top of Glen Esk and the start of our walk.

So we set off up the Glen and were soon questioned of our motives by the local gamekeeper,  "Why are you walking up here pulling a kayak when its about to get dark?"  He had a point however so did we which was a waterfall at the top of the Glen.

Photo- Sam Roberts

 We trudged further up past 3 amazing herds of deer and a Victorian well.

Photo- Sam Roberts

At the top we found 2 meter snow drifts, ice falls and a very cold waterfall which unfortunately "didn't go!"

Photo- Sam Roberts

So illuminated by the moon and powered by granola we headed back to the car to commence the snowy drive home.

Cheers Joel, Pattrick and chief navigator Sam for a fun adventure in some of Scotland's finest.

BUKE destination unvailed....

So after some intense reasurch i.e. Video watching and looking at the forien office website we choose Venezula as our destination choice.

South America between Columbia, Guyana and Brazil

So now for the plan....

We all all now super exited and looking into sponsorship deals and  what we want to do and where we want to go.

A taster of rapids to come...

Have a look at the shiney new website for loads of info on the trip

http://www.kayakvenezuela.co.uk/

STAUCC Christmas trip

On the penultimate weekend of the semester 16 of STAUCC headed to a great hostel in glen Coe for the annual Christmas trip.

With drinking high on manys priority, the beers were opened and plans of the weekend were made.
We planned to paddle the Kiachnish on Saturday but low levels meant we had a trip down the Middle Etive at medium flow instead.  A valiant effort from everyone resulted in a great trip with a special mention going to team Topo Due; James and Amy for running right angle.

 

Etive Video, Filmed Jonny, Edited Sam

Afterwards; Sam, James, Hugh and myself hiked up to paddle the Allt Mheuran.  Unfortunately a huge rockslide has blocked the middle slide so we just did the top and bottom one.  Deck grabs galore, we then headed back to the bunkhouse for supper meal orchestrated by Sarah and more beer!

Last drop on Allt Mheuran, Photo Sam Roberts

Tasty food, Photo- Jakub Dostal

Etive carnage, Photo- Jakub Dostal

On Sunday team “keen” (Sam Amy Jonny) headed to the Orchy really early to be greeted with -10oC and lots of frozen kit.  After paddling from big rock to Esan Due, we decided that enough was enough and got off.
To warm up we headed to the Green Welly for soup and roles then decided walk up the Connonish would be a nice way to spend the afternoon.

A look a cheeky Connonish drop, Photo- Sam Roberts

Cheers Sarah for organising it, all the chiefs for uber food and all the drivers.
Happy Christmas everyone!

Glen Shee, Scotland Ski

Jonny carving, Photo- Jakub Dostal

On the 4th of December 2 cars full of sleepy eyed folk headed up to Glen Shee for a day off Scottish finest skiing.  The conditions were great with beautiful off piste.

Calum flying, Photo- Jakub Dostal

Laura zooming, Photo- Jakub Dostal

We skied both sides of the valley until it got dark then chilled in the cafe before heading home.
Cheers Calum for organising and Hugh and Paul for driving, Great trip!

Classic Scotland, Photo- Laura Martin

BUKE selection weekend

On Thursday 18th November 19 student paddlers from all over Britain made their way towards a bunkhouse in North Wales.  After an eventful 9 hour journey with the Edinburgh boys involving a broken roof rack and the police we arrived and got chatting to all the awesome guys untill 4 am.

On Friday after a tasty egg and beacon breakfast we bashed down the Aberglaslyn Gorge and Fairy Glen which were both low, freezing but a fun way to get to know all the guys.  In the evening the destination choices were presented with a guest appearance from Dave Manby to slim line them.

Saturday morning we were piled into cars, blindfolded and dropped off in remote locations with the task to get back to the bunkhouse.  Techniques used to get back involved, swimming naked in lakes and drinking in the pub!  After lunch we scaled the mine ridden hill behind the bunkhouse to find clues for a crossword, some down mines, some halfway down an absail and all not where the map said they would be.  Great times! 

In the evening after some “medium rare” sausages the voting took place and then a huge drink session ensued orchestrated by Dom form Edinburgh.  Flaming tails and upside down ladder climbing were the order of the day until the votes were announced.

The team assembled, planned in a drunken fashion the awesome expedition ahead then rejoined the rest of the group for more seshing.  During the night I joined 8 other folk in vomming the “medium rare” dinner out of the upside window onto the fire escape pole which was sad.

In the morning after the team photos, we said our fond farewells to our new friends and commenced the journey home. 

Thanks very much to Nick for the car and Sam and Dom for driving. Tim, Dave and all the other ex-expeditioners for helping organise a fantastic weekend!