The Government had started lifting the lockdown. Golf courses were opening, places of worship too. Why not the Ski Resorts?
Another hike up Glencoe with some questioning in the car park from the police. When I told him I’d come from Cardross he quipped “Almost Glasgow then?”, I said “No Argyll and Bute. Then 5 miles from the boundary”, he let me continue. He could see there were other people up the hill by the parked cars of those who’d managed to get up before me.
And I thought places of worship were reopening from lockdown.
Commercial Ski Areas were denied business throughout lockdown while other rural operations opened.
The hill was very firm with frozen spring snow. The Sun had little effect on it and by noon I was at the summit. I thought it best to waste some time at the top, let things soften for a bit.
I find myself playing with ice axe, crampons etcetera then had a bit to eat as well as write up these notes. The weather as I write is lovely sunshine overhead but with threatening cloud to the west/north-west, little wind to speak of. I did hope there would be ski training today so I could blag some lift service, alas it wasn’t to be. I did share the mountain with several ski tourers though.
After a good while lounging around the summit I decided to go down main basin. It was solid, cheese grater, boilerplate ace, not enjoyable really. I traversed across to ski tow gulley and down onto the plateau poma track. This had at least softened up enough to make some pleasant turns.
I could at least feel satisfied with the hike itself. I continued taking a full pack with board strapped on and full avalanche kit. At least it makes for good resistance training.
