hilltrek

Interested in what the fishers have been catching on the River Dee?  The latest catch news, including river levels can be found on the FishPal – Scotland website.

Pictured above are some of the walkers about to set off on the Sponsored walk

Huntly held a walking festival this weekend and as part of the festival there was a sponsored walk on the Sunday which also included a photography competition. http://www.huntly.net/events/page.php?event_id=92

Hilltrek provided the prizes of gift vouchers £30 for first, £20 for second and £10 for third.

The walk will raise funds for two local charities The Huntly Area Cancer Support Group and an animal rescue centre www.thenewarc.org

I decided to head up there for the start of the walk, leaving Donside it was not looking promising a dusting of snow had covered the tops overnight and it was sleeting. However by the time I got to Huntly the wind had dropped and the sun was out.  I was greeted by Nathalie who had put a lot of work into organising the event, she was concerned that the weather forcast of snow would put people off. We didn’t have to wait long though before people started to turn up to enjoy the lovely spring sunshine and I was pleased to see some where wearing their paramo cascada trousers!

The Route

The map above shows the choice of two routes  a short or long version.

The winners of the  photography competition will be announced once all the entries have been received.

I was out freeskiing at the weekend, Carnferg to Aboyne, full story on my blog.  As it was a relatively warm day, I didn’t want to wear my ski pants so I opted for my ventile Cabrach made to measure trousers.  I had never skied in them before and thought they might be a bit stiff but I was proved wrong, totally flexible and they fitted round my ski boots perfectly.  This was also my first test of the ventile waterproofing technology.  While not raining, the snow was real wet from the mornings rain and it was up to my knees and beyond at times, so plenty of moisture to test out the trousers.  They certainly got wet but the water was kept out.   Near my boots the fabric got frozen and this made the material real stiff but just the last couple of inches, the snow temperature was still below freezing.  I was impressed on how well the material also dried out, the classic example being sitting down in the snow for a rest or to have some lunch.  You could feel the cold on your bumb and the material was clearly soaking in the water (ventile works by the fibres expanding and thus making a barrier to prevent the water leaking through) but within a few minutes of walking again, they were dry.  I expect I’ll choose my Cabrachs a few times in what is shaping up to be a long Spring season of free skiing on Deeside.

The Scottish Game and Angling Show is a new event run by The Scottish Gamekeepers Association at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh from March 6th to 7th.

We will have a stand at the event showing our Ventile and Cotton Analogy Clothing Ranges  and also the Naturally Paramo range from Paramo Directional Clothing

For many years we have been supplying off the shelf and made to measure garments for gamekeepers, stalkers, ghillies, wildlife managers and rangers from Hilltrek and Paramo clothing ranges.  

We also work closely with local gamekeepers and rangers to trial our designs to ensure that they stand up to the toughest conditions across a wide range of activity and exertion.

Susan, who does our clothing designs, has been working hard over the winter months on our first venture into specific field sports clothing which we will exhibit at the show. – the Dee Wading Jacket.

The Dee Wading Jacket is a chest wading jacket named after the River Dee, one of the most famous salmon rivers in Scotland, which flows through our village.

It uses Cotton Analogy which consists of a Ventile outer and Paramo Pump Liner inner – a combination which is tough, waterproof and highly breathable.

We look forward to your feedback and see you at the show. 

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.