Let’s Coe Again

Kicking off Day 2 of the inaugural @themightycoe festival. The first day had such a good vibe and the great weather made it all the better. The second day was looking just as awesome.

An early start to the second day of The Mighty Coe Festival

The snow was just about holding up, lots of fun riding to be had on the upper mountain and the mood was good mid-mountain among the brands, food and drink stalls. There were particularly good burgers on the go!

Burgers sizzled
Festival Mountain
Heavy rotation from the turntables

I was surprised it wasn’t busier. I always am at this time of year. For some reason people forget how nice the skiing can be in springtime.

The buzz was real though. Wet feet and smiles all round as the slush was trashed around the mountain

I got a good few laps in, Including down Rannoch Glades and the Canyon.

Ben Nevis backdrop

Towards the end of the day I finished my last couple of runs down Main Basin and took my final lift of the day to the summit to walk along to Spring Run. On my way I met Scott and Mick and when I mentioned I’d be staying up for tomorrow, the invited me to join them in trying some backcountry exploration over on Creise. I hesitantly accepted. I won’t completely sure I was ready, or what I may encounter. But it was about time. 

We decided to take the Spring Paper down as last run of the day. It was steep and fun with slush stuffing its way down behind us and falling into the cracks of the crevasses opening up as the snowpack sags away from the mountain as it does in late season.

After getting something to eat I spent the evening in the car pouring over maps and bulletins on weather and conditions, familiarising myself with the terrain of the mountain next door.

Patrollers clearing up
Drinks at the base