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touring & backcountry
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England - Thu 4th Mar 2010
Posted by: crouch_potato at 20.55hrs on Fri 5th Mar 10
:: Tour Route(s) or Location Skied/Ridden
Allenheads-YadMoss-Harwood-Weardale.

An attempt to ski all the club tow sites in one day. The possible routes are pretty obvious, and there are a couple of potential route tactics that make sense- stick to the tops and lose the best descents, or add more climbs and take more descents in. For the former, xc kit is infinitely preferable, but as (in my mind) the main idea is to ski a full descent of each site and link them on ski, I used AT kit and did a compromise (all the tow descents and a couple of special guest others, spent most of the time on the tops and a short stretch tracing the road). In total about 28 miles (probably a little more with deviations, and a fair bit more if you measure those superG turns on the downs )

Yad Moss was the only tow operating as I passed through (I was too early/late or the others were taking a break), but the cover at all remains great. Thanks to the Yad Moss members for their enthusiasm that kept me going when I was tempted to ski the tow for the afternoon instead! Also of special note amongst the clubs was Harwood- really hope they're having a successful season, my runs there reminded me just how good the area is (just wished there had been someone there so I could have got a lift back up to ski it again and again).
:: Weather Conditions
Starting out, temperatures were below freezing, but as the day progressed the sun and lack of wind saw temperatures rising rapidly. Now sporting a fetching wifebeater and redneck tan- a day for plenty of water and suncream.
:: Snow Conditions and Distrubtion
Snow cover on the tops was exceptional, but slight problems encountered towards Langdon Beck where an overenthusiastic descent left me lacking snow on the south-facing roadside. Sun and mild temperatures on the north side of Teesdale transformed the snow quite rapidly, but fantastic quality for skiing and not too hard work for breaking trail. Over the day, snow varied between powder, drifted powder, wind-packed powder, sastrugi, scoured, spring snow, ice(ish) and corn - varying on locality, aspect, exposure and altitude. A great combination to keep the mind interested on a long tour, with existing tracks on parts of the saving breaking new trail the whole way. Almost every descent was untracked powder- rooster tails all the way!

For future reference, staying on the tops more would be the preferred tactic for a purist, and lessens the chance of being caught out by a lack of snow. Plenty of other times this season (and this week even) that wouldn't be an issue and the road crossings wouldn't have needed skis off at all, but a normal season might necessitate that in any case.
:: Skiers/Riders
Solo venture, one fellow xc skier seen, and plenty of enthusiastic people at Yad Moss

England - Fri 5th Mar 2010
Posted by: oldagedpredator at 19.16hrs on Fri 5th Mar 10

View Photos
:: Tour Route(s) or Location Skied/Ridden
Out to the old Teesdale Ski club site - several circuits of the main run snow field. Back to the road by the eastern gully. Western one - nearest to the bowl goes to truck body by bridge. Not complete. Wall back return to cattle grid was complete, I walked out but you could skin out on it.
:: Weather Conditions
High cloud lowering during the day to give overcast conditions with sunny intervals. Top of run is 600m and freezing level was definately well above that.
:: Snow Conditions and Distrubtion
Pockets of windblown powder that had then softened over consolidated snow / neve. Aim for the firm and turn! Snow level is at the lip of the bowl so around 520-530m. Return gullies are all slightly north facing and so holding snow better. A bit tussocky away from snow field and since there are rocks on the hill I stuck to the snow field.
:: Skiers/Riders
OAP

England - Sun 7th Feb 2010
Posted by: Asnell at 22.14hrs on Tue 9th Feb 10

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:: Tour Route(s) or Location Skied/Ridden
Burnhope Seat via the Yad Moss ski area (but we were too cheap to use the lift). Over top of Burnhope Seat and down to the disused mine, then back again.
:: Weather Conditions
Very low vis. iPhone was useful.
:: Snow Conditions and Distrubtion
Plenty of snow at Yad Moss, and nice snow on the other side if you ski between the grass patches.
:: Skiers/Riders
Anarchist, Antarctic Warrior, Oracle
:: E-Mail Contact
Arthur_snell2000 at yahoo dot com

Report Edited 2 times. Last edited by Asnell: 2010-02-09 22:19:14

England - Sat 6th Feb 2010
Posted by: Asnell at 15.29hrs on Sun 7th Feb 10

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:: Tour Route(s) or Location Skied/Ridden
The Cheviot from Langleeford via Scald Hill. Extreme skiing on the East face of the Cheviot.
:: Weather Conditions
Cold. Sometimes clear, mostly not.
:: Snow Conditions and Distrubtion
Skins work well on grass. But there was nice snow higher up. Snow from about 500m.
:: Skiers/Riders
Anarchist, Antarctic Warrior, Oracle,
:: E-Mail Contact
Arthur_snell2000 at yahoo dot com

Report Edited 2 times. Last edited by Asnell: 2010-02-09 22:08:15

England - Sun 17th Jan 2010
Posted by: paddymatheson at 13.58hrs on Mon 18th Jan 10

View Photos
:: Tour Route(s) or Location Skied/Ridden
Cheviot, Northumberland.
Started at Langleeford and skinned up over Scald Hill and then up the East face of Cheviot. Dropped into the Hen Hole and back over the summit and down the East Face.
:: Weather Conditions
Blue sky until about 700m but the summit of Cheviot was in cloud all day with visibility down to about 25m.

Temperature 2 degrees at 250 and -1 degrees at 815m
:: Snow Conditions and Distrubtion
Great crisp spring snow, especially higher up on the East Face. Softer snow below 400m but still good coverage and skiable to the valley floor.

Snow depth at summit approx 4ft and provided it stays cold there should be good conditions for the next few weeks.
:: Skiers/Riders
Big G & Little G

Report Edited Once. Last edited by paddymatheson: 2010-01-18 14:12:08

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