SD Adventures Blog

Hi again, poor snow and unusual weather has made January a quiet month- although the time has been used to our advantage promoting course's and working hard arranging other course's for later in the year.

We are looking to run a 1 and 2 star paddle sport weekend around April/May. Before this we have winter skills course's climbing course's, navigation course's and canoe course's.

It will be a busy few months and we are looking forward to getting out and about with clients. hopefully we can also manage to get some personal climbing and hill days in as well. Feel free to join us, all you need to do is pick a course and email us-simple.

Winter will be over soon and then it will be time to get out and refresh your skills. So if you want to get lots done this year its time to plan that big adventure and work towards your adventure. If you need any help, information or even a hand learning new skills then send us an email and we will help you out.

Take care

Scot.  

S D Adventures blog

It been a while - SORRY. Everything seems to need done at this point in the year and its all about chasing your tail? Course wise its quite quiet, all of our energy is going into promoting our courses for the year ahead.

February and March are really busy with winter skills courses, snowholing courses and also navigation courses. If you havent booked a place yet you might have to miss out as places are almost all taken.

Lets take a minute and talk about you? Are you planning to get fit over the next few months? Well its important to have a plan and stick to it? Did you know that people who used the outdoors as a way of getting fit were more likely to complete the goals and targets that they set,   than people using gyms etc?

So try canoeing for upper body workouts, climbing for an overall workout and orienteering as a way to make running just a bit more interesting - and you will also get to practice your navigation at the same time.

I have already started my fitness program, I am working towards my own goals and targets but am mainly using fitness as a way of allowing me to get out into the fresh air and high winds that seem to be   hitting Scotland at the minute.

All that is left to say really is stick with your fitness program and dont give up. Find an orienteering course near you, hire a canoe or join a club. Be positive and most of all try to enjoy.

Scot.

SD Adventures - Blog

Hopefully you have had a fantastic xmas and are looking forward to a busy New Year period? I hope that all of your christmas presents arrived on time and that everyone was on their best behaviour? But most of all I hope that you got the present you had been dreaming of?

Everyone involved at SD Adventures have been busy organising and promoting our courses for 2012. These include our winter skills courses as well as our canoeing courses on the caledonian canal.

Before this we ran a Winter skills course the week before xmas and really worked hard to make sure we found enough snow for our clients to enjoy a proper winter experience. We have taken some fantastic photos and videos and these will be posted soon.

Most people in Scotland think that AVALANCHES never really happen here? This is NOT true and some of our photos will show this, as we managed to get some pictures of full depth avalanches here in Scotland.

Again we find ourselves waiting on the snow to arrive, and the forecast is that snow will arrive in the hills today. Keep your fingers crossed and we hope to see you on the hills with your new winter gear.

Take care

Scot.

SD Adventures - Blog

Well its another storm battered UK this evening with high winds and rain - although it seems to be snow on higher ground. Its nice to be sitting here writing this listening to the wind blowing against the window, in the knowledge that I am all wrapped up nice and snug.

Today was a day for indoor climbing, just to keep in shape and to get out of the house.

This weekend is the first Winter Skills Course of the season and it looks as if the snow will be really good with plenty of it. That reminds me I need to make a snowman and post it online for a friend who will miss out on the snow. I will equip the car this week with wheel socks? and my winter kit, to be ready for safe travel and emergencies to see me through the winter.

Thank goodness the xmas shopping is all done and I will wrap everything tomorrow so that Santa has an easy time of it and I wont be rushing around at the last minute-thank goodness.

Enjoy the weather when the wind stops and hopefully you will manage to get out on the hill.

Scot.

SD Adventures - Blog

Well it really is December when you wake up and all of the local hills are covered in fresh snow. I was over the moon as they say. Its only a few weeks till our first winter skills course of the season and the snow is finally on its way. I have already looked out my climbing books looking for new routes to try and the list seems to grow and grow.

My axes and crampons are in good condition and ready to play, I have even looked out my snowboard and boots just in case I manage to find some time.

Top Tips-

(1) Sharpen your axes and crampons

(2) Brush up on your winter skills

(3) Brush up on your navigation skills

For some this will be picking up a book and reminding themselves, for others -   you may wish to join a winter skills course. Just make sure you have the skills and knowledge to keep yourself safe whilst in the mountains over winter. Carry a map and compass, spare food, hot drink, emergency shelter and a whistle as well as all of the other essentials you need for winter.

Winter makes the mountains a magical winter playground, get out onto the hills, have fun and be safe, but most of all ENJOY.

Scot.

S D Adventures - Blog

Well its cold wet and windy outside and it really feels like the weather is changing. The weather report said that it would be wintery in the hills over night with plenty of snow and hopefully thats us on our way to another good winter. Less than a month till that special day of the year when we get to be happy and enjoy what we have around us - yep thats right our first winter trip of the season.

Its been a busy week running archery and getting my computer systems updated and hopefully running faster? So new laptop and games to keep me busy on nights like this.

Next week is a relaxing week and a chance to catch up with all of the boring things before December and the start of a busy winter period. The big adventure at the start of December is skye and then a full weeks winter skills course.

But before December We still have a canoe/climbing day, ropework training and a bit of climbing as well as a few days of before the festive period arrives.

Fingers crossed for the snow to arrive and we can start making snowmen as well as getting out and playing in Scotlands winter playground.

Take care

Scot.

S D Adventures - Blog

Its been really cold outside and has been for the last few nights. Is it possible that the weather is starting to turn and should be expecting snow soon? Fingers crossed.

Ben Hunter has had some bad luck with his plans to do all of the munro's in winter unfortunately his food sponsor has pulled the plug and he is trying hard to find a new company to step in. We are offering to put a winter course up for auction and the money raised will go towards the price of food for Bens trip. Good Luck Ben its only a few weeks before you start.

We are helping out on the Skye leg of the trip hopefully starting in mid December so hopefully we get a bit of snow by then. Its going to be a fantastic adventure for Ben as well as S D Adventures.

We have some great things going on before the new year and after its all hands on deck for what is shaping up to be a fantastic start to 2012.

Take care

Scot.

S D Adventures - Blog

Well it really is like winter outside, the temp has dropped and its hard to see the end of the street. Its a night for sitting at home and planning your next big adventure. Make a plan for next year write a tick list sort a wish list or just to take a few minutes and think about your next big challenge.

I have a few things that would be nice to do, from climbing in the Alps to winter routes across Scotland and thats just a start. But firstly it might be an Idea to sort out the adventures that are already planned. I am helping Ben Hunter on his human powered winter round, sorting dates for the skye ridge with him   would be a good start.

Next year is a big year for me as I have decided to actually push forward and work towards my M I A assessment. With some luck and loads of hard work I should be ready for it by September. This is a big big task whilst running a business and trying to have a good work/life balance-no matter who you are.

On top of that pushing forward with Canoeing qualifications and trying to get something up and running with paintballing will give me loads to think about and should keep me busy.

Just reading this makes me think about going on holiday and a week away would be fantastic - I need a 14 month year and then it should all fit.

Take care and hopefully you will also take the time to plan your adventures for next year but don't forget to take a bit of time to relax.

Scot.  

S D Adventures - Blog

The clocks have gone back and the nights are fairly drawing in, this time of year is great for night navigation, although can often be really cold as the winter weather starts pushing in. This is your chance to practice bad weather navigation before the snow arrives properly and that way you will be ready for winter and the challenging conditions it brings.

Before winter arrives its always a good idea to give your kit an M O T checking buckles, straps, laces etc and to fix or replace them as needed. Sharpen your Ice axes and crampons as well as checking torch batteries and making an emergency crampon repair kit.

Make sure your compass works properly before you go out on the hill and if you find your compass slides around on your map case think about wrapping an elastic band around it near the housing to help it grip on the map case.

Remember have fun and use the conditions to your advantage whilst gaining experience.

It is really easy to put things off because its dark or wet outside. Just think of the amazing things that you could see at this time of year, shooting stars, arctic hare, buntings etc. Most importantly is the fact that you will actually have earned that pint by having an adventure on the hill.

Enjoy

S D Adventures Blog

Welcome to our very first blog. We will use this page to update people about our Adventures on a daily/weekly basis and hopefully add lots of useful information as well as plenty of photos.

The first point of interest is that tonight if you get out and about you should manage to see the northern lights. The north of Scotland will always be easier to see them but it is possible to see them as far south as Loch Lomond. Please send a photo if you manage to catch them and I will put it on the website.

Lots of things coming up over the next few weeks,   our friend Ben Hunter will be putting final preparations to his human powered winter munro round, which we are assisting with on the Skye ridge. Also we have some multi activity days coming up doing climbing and canoeing as well as running an after schools club.   We are also looking for a base to open an adventure club/centre but our next few weeks are mainly for planning the calander for next year, look out for dates to put in your diary.

Its almost winter time again but before that we need to build a bonfire and avoid lots of scary monsters as well as making time to get out onto the hills.

Take care

Scot Rodger