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With dire weather forecast for the west I decided to head east where the forecast was only slightly less worrying. As I drove through Killin and along Loch Tay I began to have second thoughts as gale driven sleet lashed the already flooded roads . Thankfully as I reached the Braes of Foss things had eased a little but as I got geared up I reckoned I might have to back out of this one , especially after the clouds parted to reveal Schiehallion wreathed in a haze of spindrift .
- The mighty Schiehallion
The path is a credit to the John Muir Trust and meanders nicely over moorland and up the ridge , gaining height easily.As I climbed, the early morning sun and streaming clouds cast a lovely light and I began to relax and enjoy the walk , taking great pleasure from making the first footprints on the fresh snow .
- Sheepfank
- NE to Loch Tummel
- Snow covered path
- SW to Glen Lyon
- E to Allt Mor
When I reached the cairn at the top of winding path the snow began to fall more heavily and the wind picked up but I was still happy to carry on , visibility was poor but I was sure of the navigation . I don't know if the path carries on beyond this point but I saw no sign of it . Progress was slow as I picked my way between the quartzite boulders, trying to keep to the soft powder snow and off the icy rocks .
- Cairn at top of path
After 20 minutes of struggling through the boulderfield the wind eased and the sky cleared to give a view of the summit ridge . With the slackening wind I made better progress , a final push and the summit cairn appeared .
- Summit ridge
- Summit cairn
- Looking south -Gleann Mor
- Frosted but happy
It was too cold to spend time waiting for the clouds to part and give me some views so I headed off down the ridge ,
making better time as I could pick a route through the worst of the boulders . On the way down I met two groups on their way up and stopped for a blether , the wind had eased since the morning so hopefully the conditions on top were ok for them.
- Invervar hills
Back to the van after 4 hours much happier than when I left it , a magical place , though hard work today .