Introduction and new member advice (tours and uk meets)

General Discussion
1

Hi there,

Thought I post to introduce myself and to get some advice in regard to getting involved with the club..

So please don't hold it against me but I'm a snowboarder.. cheeky I can ski but I'm still very much a beginner.

I did a season in Whistler 3 or 4 years ago and got introduced to splitboarding as a way on access the backcountry. I was addicted straight away and decided that this would how I'd develop my snowboarding when I got back to the UK.. It's taken me a fews, due to cost, but in March this year I did an Introduction to Ski Mountaineering course, on my splitboard, with Jagged Globe in Andermatt with 4 other skiers. It was an amazing week and I'm really keen to do some more this winter season, hence me joining Eagle Ski Club. I'm very interested in touring (not just "accessing the backcountry") as I've been XC mountain biking for 15 years and see touring as almost a winter version of this..

So my question for you is really what would you suggest as my next trip? Are there any tours that you'd recommend? Would it be possible to join you on a Scottish meet?

Really keen to meet some like minded people - any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
David

2

Hi David

Welcome to the Eagles! From what you've said it sounds as though you'd enjoy a hut to hut tour so why not take a look at something like Andy Teasdale's Introductory Tour of the Gran Paradiso which is aimed at people like yourself.

Have you thought of coming to the Ski Mountaineering Symposium at Plas y Brenin this december where you'd meet lots of Eagles and have plenty of chance to chat?

For split boarding inspiration don't know if you've come across this site: http://paulholding.com/

All the best & hope to meet you sometime

Susie

3

Hey Susie,

Thanks for that I'll take a look into that tour... Any Scotland advice?

I've just booked up for the Ski Mountaineering Symposium this week - looks like a good weekend... Maybe see you there..

I have Paul Holdings blog on Google Reader already - I also enjoy the trip reports on the splitboard.com forum (http://splitboard.com/talk/).

Thanks again,
David

4

Hi David,

I'm Alan. I facilitate the Scottish meets. For a list of the weekends see http://www.eagleskiclub.org.uk/uk-meets/scottish-meets People are often out when the snow is good whether there is a meet or not. See http://www.eagleskiclub.org.uk/forums/members-forums/planning-scottish-touring ; http://www.eagleskiclub.org.uk/forums/members-forums/reporting-scottish-touring and http://www.winterhighland.info/touring/ I post as Xscream179 on Winterhighland named after some skis I had a while ago. http://www.sais.gov.uk/  and http://www.mwis.org.uk/ are useful too. http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/course-skiing-skills-display.asp?course_id=344 may be of interest. This year the Lodge have move the date of this weekend so it is now on the same weekend as our Mar Lodge meet.

There is snow on Cairngorm just now, but not a good ski yet.

I'll be at PYB in Dec so see you there.

Alan

5

Thanks for the links Alan. Some really useful information...