The Context Machine

Each year it’s the self same story. Notwithstanding running to the workplace, and an occasional hill climb, every winter season initiates with those torturous first few routes in which I’m forgotten in the paths of younger and faster skiing friends. It’s enough to ruin my skiing holiday.

Being out of shape whilst ski touring it is unenjoyable, and may be extremely serious. To ski down one requires spare reserves. If you are a tired skier you are more likely to suffer injuries and fatigue could be a contributory element to incidents, such as crashes and crevasse falls.

Surely there is a nicer manner in which to begin the season, and a newly published 301 page guide by Molly Sparks seems to provide a solution. Although targeted at mountaineers the data is largely practical to ski touring, with its arduous ascents as well as additional sports.

Cycling, practicing for best performance is well researched and easily read. It’s a quality all-round guide that gathers together some good information. You may evolve a specialised cardiovascular regime or tune your current programme. Afforded that it’s calculated for mountaineers, and so some of the information maybe unsuitable for skiing, it’s unquestionably an account to buy if you wish to do a few of the big 24 hour or multi-day tours.