A repost from one of our made to measure customers.

Aboyne Mid Deeside, originally uploaded by ecotorch.

First outing for my new Cabrach ventile ‘made to measure’ walking trousers from Hilltrek.co.uk this afternoon. A cold and high wind chill day and I am please to say the new trous kept out the wind. A wee bit of powder snow around and that sometimes blew up my legs, maybe an inner elastic finish in future designs? This is my first ventile material product. I like the feel of the finish, felt like I had been wearing the trousers for months. My last pair of hiking trousers were more high tech and involved washing them to keep them waterproof, while I;m yet to see these trousers in the wet they work in a more natural way, the fibres expand thus preventing the water from getting to you. This appeals to the eco in me, sort of fits in with the natural environment I like to be part of. So, bring on the rain through it looks like it will be more snow. . .

One of the best backcountry local skiing and ski touring communities is on the WinterHighland website. Last week a ski tourer made their way from Lochnagar to Glas Maol at Glenshee via the White Mounth plateau.  That is a fair few miles and looking at the photos they scored for great weather, a blue sky morning.

We will be holding a sale at our shop in Aboyne this weekend when we will be offering huge discounts on some of our retail stock including Helly Hansen Shell Jackets, Patagonia Shell Jackets and Fleeces and Paramo Jackets and trek clothing.

Included in the sale are deals on Velez Smocks, Alta Jackets, Reversible shirts and so on, as a participating retailer in Paramo’s Happy New Gear Promotion.  The Paramo website gives an overview of the deals available. See  Paramo New Gear.  Sadly we cannot offer these over our website. Its against the rules folks – you have to visit us in beautiful Aboyne!

You can also pick up some excellent bargains in Hilltrek fleeces in colours we no longer stock, discountinued Golite stuff and many more.

I was recently loaned a Muriel Grey book by a colleague and was delighted to read that she agrees having a beard is not an essential piece of mountaineering kit!

With this in mind I embarked on my new passion Bushcraft…Dressed in my beloved Paramo kit I headed for a weekend of Bushcraft, only to discover that those with the ability to grow a beard hadn’t turned up because it was raining…mmm interesting!

Despite the persistent rain I enthusiastically embarked on the tasks set by my instructor Lawrence of Bushcraft Ventures.  I found that I was so engrossed in collecting the materials I needed to light a fire I was oblivious to the rain and the sense of achievement in lighting a fire with my knife, fire stick and birch bark was immense, soon we had a shelter up and a kettle boiling.

I have a particular interest in plants and their uses; I grow my own vegetables and collect wild foods and herbs whenever possible.  We spent the afternoon learning about the flora of the area and the many and varied uses of the different plants including which ones not to use as they are poisonous.

Day two was spent learning how to look after and sharpen your knife, in bushcraft the saying goes your knife is your life.

We then found a suitable dead and fallen birch tree, selected a log and learned some carving techniques, I worked on carving a spoon. I discovered a deep feeling of fulfilment sat there in the forest with the sound of the rain, the warmth of the fire and creating something I can use next time…

Having the right kit is an essential part of bushcraft, in the wilderness your survival depends on it, I was extremely pleased with the performance of my Paramo Cascarda trousers and mountain pull on shirt, I also wore a cross fleece base layer, and I was toasty warm and dry all weekend.

My next investment will be a Paramo jacket still deciding which one to go for or do I go for a Ventile jacket?…  Watch this space!

The sky has awoken bright and clear in Aboyne this morning.  With great visibility the opportunity to get out in the hills to stretch the legs and to take in some majestic views arises.  Here are some tips on powder walking:

1. Wait for the weather to give you a clear blue sky day or at least favourable conditions

2. Choose a walk that you have done many times before i.e. you know it well.  It is amazing how such familiar surrounds look so different when under 50-100cm of snow.

3.  Equipment, map, compass and in terms of clothing, Gators are the top tip.  The powder snow can get everywhere, especially when its up to your knees.  A band around the sole of the boots is also invaluable to save the gators riding up.  Carry plenty of liquids.

4.  The walk will take up to 2 or 3 times as long and it will be tough going so keep an eye on the clock.  NB. day light is still short.  Leave information on your plans and arrival time back.

5.  If at all possible walk with a partner, helps with sharing the burden of breaking new ground.  Life is better to share any how!

Lastly remember a camera.  The views will be stunning.

The new year brought a lot of new snow with it.  A local Hilltrek customer got on his made to measure ski jacket and gators and hiked up the Fungle, through the trees and on to Carnferg, 1700ft (often referred to as the highest point in Aboyne but over 4 miles away!).  The video shows how powdery the conditions were.. .

There is superb skiing conditions at the local ski resorts for Aboyne, The Lecht and Glenshee at present.  A customer sent in a video of their 1988 made to measure ski jacket still doing the business in cold conditions on the Buzzard piste at The Lecht.