February 2021 Activity: Ben Ledi, Nordic skiing, An Caisteal, climbing at Bennybeg

February really is a short month but when the snow did come it lasted much longer for some of us than what we normally come to expect. Consequently, there were good times to be had locally but also lot of frustration at the sight of wonderful conditions lying beyond the Covid travelling constraints.

First up, DY & JG had an interesting day in Central Gully, Ben Ledi, 01/02/21.

DY pictured by JG as they approach Central/Great Gully on Ben Ledi, about 100m, Grade III.

DY on the first pitch.

Near the top. Trees are seeding naturally from the forestry below and the tree line is moving up the hill. Climate change? What climate change?

Mr DY.

Next, BR and JW had some excellent Nordic skiing conditions in Bo’ness / Linlithgow during the second week of February.

BR’s auld favourites! Veterans of Norway, Switzerland and Scotland, although their bases are wrecked he still likes using them to clatter over Scottish terrain.

The snow was deep and was without thaw for nearly a week! One of the trails started on the West Lothian Golf Course, south of Bo’ness.

With deep snow covering all the ploughed furrows in the farmers’ fields you can make good headway. This point is just south of Birkhill Railway Station and immediately north of the curving viaduct centre pic.

The un-named larger loch in Kinneil Woods.

On the second day BR was joined by JW. Having skied from Linlithgow JW now ascends the final slopes to The Hope Monument.

Followed by their descent north to Bo’ness with BR in the foreground.

Third and final day on the February snow…BR in amongst the tiny hills of the Sheep Field north east of the WL Golf Course.

Now returning to Bo’ness, just south of the golf course then toward Kinneil Woods.

Overall it was an excellent 3 x days, covering 39.7km and 775m of ascent.

On 12/02/21 DY & JG had a VERY COLD day on An Caisteal.

The River Falloch and An Caisteal.

Despite wearing four layers, including two jackets, insulated winter trousers, overtrousers and expending a lot of energy, they still hadn't broken sweat. Air temperature -6C, wind speed 50mph, so wind chill around -15C. Bracing.

Later on 26/02/21, CP and pal Dougie, had a welcome return to the rock on a chilly but sunny day at Bennybeg with a couple of easy routes.

CP on route.