John Green of Hilltrek is seen on the left is relaxing with Robbie MacIntosh of Anatom at the Scottish Game Fair at Scone in glorious sunny weather

We had a very sucessful Scottish Gamefair last weekend where we introduced our products and services to many new customers.

There was much interest in our Dee Wading Jacket and in our made to measure service.

Field Sports users are very familiar with Goretex but not with the atttributes and benefits of Páramo, Nikwax Analogy and Cotton Analogy.

Sometimes we felt like missionaries rather than an outdoor clothing business!

We also had Superfeet, Anatom Boots and Teko Socks on the stand from Anatom.

Are our products taking off at the Game Fair?

Earlier in the year we sponsored the Active Schools cross country series in Aboyne. Recently John presented the prizes to the winners of the Primary Schools races.

Comment from 

“The Active Schools cross country series in Aboyne was aimed at engaging children in the local community in a fun, competitive, outdoor, and affordable sport which can take place on their doorstep. The series also encourage individual development as pupils were given their individual times, in their appropriate age groups, which enabled them to have a goal for each race in the series. The series was well attended with 45 primary and 14 secondary pupils, highlighting some excellent runners in the area.

These races prepared the youngsters for some other local events such as Run Balmoral in which Braemar Primary won the small schools trophy this year.

The series was thoroughly enjoyed by both children who participated and parents who helped out, therefore we will definitely be hosting some more in the future to help develop this local activity”

To find out more about the Active Schools Program and you want to get involved see Sports Scotland

As well as taking advantage of excellent deals, several bottles of wine and numerous cups of coffee were consumed while tales of 10K runs, munro bagging, ice climbs  and long range treks were shared.

The next event at Hilltrek will be the visit of Chris Townsend on April 16th.

Chris is a well known long distance walker with several firsts under his belt including the first 1600mile trek along the Rockies and the first continous climb of all the Munros and tops (Scottish Mountains over 300o ft first listed by Sir Hugh Munro).  As well as a gear reviewer in the TGO, Chris is an excellent writer and photographer, and on the day will sign his new book published by Cicerone on the Scottish Mountains called Scotland. Chris is also a Páramo fan and has recently tested our Foinaven Cotton AnalogyVentile Smock.  

We look forward to seeing you there.

Preparation is key, know the weather forecast in detail, apply your local knowledge, tell some one where you are going and when you will be back.  Clothing in many layers, compass, map and all the common sense basics.   If you are not first out in the hills then you will gain the advantage of following in the footsteps of others but there will come a time when you need to cut a virgin trail through the snow, this is when things will get extremely tough going.  Take the space steady and work on a technique of walking that gives the best cutting motion through the snow,  I like to lead with my knee to shin and lean my weight slightly forward.  Walk on paths you know well,  it will surprise you how different they look when covered in deep snow, all the trees look the same, there is no path to guide your eye.  So, you need to work harder on examining the terrain and not just the terrain but the patterns on the snow.  Paths often are cut into the hill thus with any wind they get blown full of snow, often the deepest now will be on the path.  Examine the wind direction and see where the snow is being stripped down from, often a ridge line of a hill.  The snow will be more wind packed there and the pattern of the snow will resembles sand waves in a dessert.  But a word of warning, these are not golden rules, pocket of really deep snow will catch you out, the snow will give under you feed on snow condition that look identical so the only rule to follow is to concentrate on each step and be prepared to break through the snow with out warning.  This dictates a slow steady walking rhythm.  Listen to your body, it is easy to over heat, take on board liquids on a regular basis and food.  And start the return to home when you still feel energised as it will be just as hard getting back as hiking up as tiredness takes it toll.  Why, put yourself through this?  It can be fun making the first tracks, views to be had and just for the joy of walking in powder snow,  also the joints get a nice soft landing cushion.  There is much pleasure to be had but take care and be prepared.