The current northerly wind direction has brought the first covering of snow to the highest plateaus in the Cairngorms.  The day broke brighter than of late today so I headed up the Fungle to see if a view to the Gorms would be on offer?  The wind had kept a frost at bay but the wind was fresh and I expected it to be even fresher at the top of Craigendinne Hill so I opted for my ventile walking trousers, their first outing of the autumn.  Sure enough the Ben Avon plateau has lying snow in the gullies.

The July/August 2010  issue of Ethical Consumer Magazine includes a review of outdoor clothing and equipment.  The best buy and overall rated outdoor jacket was by Paramo.  They have an extract on the criteria used by ethical magazine on their site. The ethical score is out of 20 and Paramo scored 13.5 so the whole industry still has some work to do but it is clear some manufacturers have put the impact on the environment ahead of other commercial considerations.  The Trees for Life blog have a good summary on the history of Paramo and  ethical issues.

Over the next few days the freezing level will descend below the summits of the highest Scottish Mountains.  One of the local weather services for hill walkers is MWIS.  But nothing beats seeing, so a review of the webcams is also advisable.  While this is an early blast of arctic air for us, add in the windchill factor and dangers of winter won’t be too far away.  So, pack for winter hiking this weekend.

Sometimes the shortest of walks can give the best of views.  For me a walk up Mortlich in Aboyne provides such an experience.

The most rewarding aspect of the views is that they are to places where I walk the most.  In this photo you get the folding up of the hills, but while you walk up the hill the experience is more narrowly focused to the path ahead.  The hills in front of you mostly out of site.  In the end of the day, its the variety of walking in Deeside that makes it so special.

Di Gilbert, Mountaineer, straight from completing her 7th Summit, presents

“A List Of Mountains That Even Sir Hugh Munro Would Be Proud Of”

on Sunday 11th September at Deeside Community Theatre, at 7.45, cost £10 or family ticket price £25.  To Book, tel: 013398 86222

Only some 300 people have completed this mountaineering feat, so Di – who started mountaineering while living at home in Aberdeenshire – has achieved a lot.  As she says “Scotland is the best training ground you can ever imagine.  The hardest, most extreme, coldest and wettest environments you will ever experience.”

 Karen Darke, inspirational speaker and paraplegic adventurer, presents

“Dizzy Fingers”

on Tuesday 14th September at the Deeside Community Theatre, starting 7.45 pm, price £12.  To book, tel: 013398 86222

We expect Karen to tell the story about crossing Greenland, kayaking in Patagonia, and some of her bike trips (Himalayas etc) and for something completely different – a wee bit about trying to get to the Paralympics.

 Adrenaline Junkie Film Night:

“The Best of Kendal Tour”

A collection of the best action and adventure films from the 2010 Kendal Film Festival covering mountain biking, cycling, climbing and skiing - soemthing for everyone!

Deeside Community Theatre on Saturday 18th September from 7.30.  To book,  tel 013398-86222.

Armchair mountaineers would be interested in hearing Andrew Greig (he has been described as the uncrowned poet laureate of the mountaineering community) at the “Meet the Author Event” at Finzean Hall on Sunday 19th Sept at 5pm.

Full details on  www.activeaboyne.co.uk and phone enquiries for activity events go to Mid Deeside on 013398-85222 (mornings only)  but theatre bookings to go direct to the Community Centre on 013398-86222.

Active Aboyne is less than a month away now and a long list of events are now available on their website.  The events include long distance walks that they call ‘Big Hill Days‘ to Family Fun activities.  The full list of events are list on their events page.

Looking ahead to the summer months, this years Active Aboyne will be held from Saturday 11th September to Sunday 26th September.  The full programme is yet to be published but watch the site for the mix of walks, bushcraft, other outdoor pursuits and not forgetting the social activities put on.  The special guest this year is Karen Drake.  A true adventurer and sought after speaker.