Buachaille Etive Mor knockout fail

[Collaciotach]

Ruithidh an taigeis fhèin le bruthaich.
"Even a haggis will run downhill"

The Gaidhealtachd had been without power for two days on Friday night so my chances of walking looked slim for Saturday as the old freezer full of venison ,scallops, mutton and all the good food i "apprehend" from the landmoaners of the Highlands would defrost by Saturday teatime and the orders were to hunt down a portable generator to save the horde .....however at 2.30am the power came on so i d be off in the morning

Uill an early morning run through snow drifts found me heading to the foot of the Buachaille Eite Mor on a bright cold and snowy morning and the sealltain from Ardgour to the tir mór were stunning

Éirigh na Gréine Inbhir Sanda ,Aird Gobhar

I had high hopes of a clear Winter day on the tops and decided to tackle the Buachaille in retrospect the rush led me to neglect my usual thourough preparations

I arrived at the Buachaille at 9.30am ,i know the route and its steep bealach ascent so i was expecting a slog through the previous nights snowfall.

Stob Dearg ,Buachaille Eit Mor

The MWIS was forecasting a nice morning poor afternoon so myself and the cú set off toward the Coire underfoot was icy and snowy and the weather window was on us

An Moineadh Mor

As i started ascent i caught up with two Polish lads and noticed that although geared up they had no ice axe or crampon's after a chat i kinda mentioned the axe was essential however as i took my leave they began following my footsteps in the knee deep snow. The traverses across the slopes were tiring but kicking footholds was easy enough and i had nt crampons anyway , so with axe in hand i kept going making decent progress

An coire ...sneachd is reoite

An craoibh beithe air a creagan

There was some stunning views over to the Mám Mór and a rare glimpse of Winter sun it was looking promising and no problems so far excepting taking care and being ready for any slip ups

Sealltain gu an Mam Mór

A ribhist

My Polish friends were lagging way behind however the path was evident at about 700m so i was nt concerned for them or myself .At this stage i started climbing the last 50 metres or so to the bealach and noticed a change in the terrain structure it was icier and more difficult to kick footholds so i started cutting with the axe to be safe and then i realised my first mistake ..bringing the dog!. He was nt in danger but all of a sudden i realised he would struggle to get up the last 30 metres

Am Bhealach Buachaille

I decided to come out the snow chute and head for a rockier area where both the dog and myself could use the rocks to get an extra purchase and i made good progress onto this area which must have been 15 metres from the bealach summit.

What happened next i don't know except...... i slipped ,bang and then i skitted about 5 metres on my back before i got the brake on

There was blood everywhere and i knew i'd burst my Aodainn or Sron and after steadying myself i assessed the damage with my hands ...it was my nose had banged off a rock when i slipped

I took the camera fón out to check the damage .... not pretty ,not broken but sore

An sron goirt air Colla

Uill bha sin é ,de thacair an nis ? ..... i took stock and decided to go down as much for the dog, who, if he slid did not have the luxury of an ice axe as a brake and anyway the sron was throbbing so i made an unglamourous exit back down the gully carefully maintaining three point contact with my tón to the wind.

And the two Poles ? well they saw me slip, when i recovered i gave them the thumbs up i was ok and gestured to them to go down they was about 50 metres down slope. I caught up with them further down they were using my steps i asked if they were ok "we are scared" was the reply ,it had dawned on them how exposed they were should they slip without the axe ....they did eventually get down safely and on their arses.

A cautionary tale ,i'm an experienced outdoor hill man and made three fundemental mistakes , bad preperation ,no crampons and taken the dog on a major Winter pull !!.There is no real harm done apart from the sore nose and i ll take that as a wee reminder not to take anything for granted however i ll be back next week minus the cú with crampons in my bag if the weather dictates and having given her proper consideration i will slap the Buachaille back when this time i summit

Cuiridh mi clach air do chàrn Buachaille Éite Mor ..... I will remember you Buachaille Etive Mor !

Am Buachaille

[spiderwebb]

Coll, great read ! A reminder to us all how easy it can catch you out.

Great shot of the nose ! Looked slightly out of shape to me, maybe just a bit swollen left in photo...or is that normal

[Collaciotach]

Coll, great read ! A reminder to us all how easy it can catch you out.

Great shot of the nose ! Looked slightly out of shape to me, maybe just a bit swollen left in photo...or is that normal

Aye photo was to see what damage i had done and after a few drams last night its looking better today but i ll no be picking the thing for a while

It is Spider soooo easy , i rushed it a wee bit yesterday and that was the outcome that and the usual crampons / no crampons debate if i had them on yesterday i d have been fine ....... it ll be crampons in future

and a doggie risk assessment

[spiderwebb]

I know what you mean !

Re the dogs I tend to leave mine at home this time of year unless doing something low level, they do like a good romp in the snow, but enough to worry about with my own progress up top.

Funny how a few drams seem to straighten anything out, I find the same

[Johnny Corbett]

A fine report of when things can go wrong and a lesson not only for yourself, myself to any other walkers heading into the hills at this time of year without crampons. We've probably all done it, we check the weather, we look up at the hill and we become complacent and think we won't need certain equipment. A lesson for us all, cheers.

[Collaciotach]

A fine report of when things can go wrong and a lesson not only for yourself, myself to any other walkers heading into the hills at this time of year without crampons. We've probably all done it, we check the weather, we look up at the hill and we become complacent and think we won't need certain equipment. A lesson for us all, cheers.

Crampons are a neccessity in those conditions a rule i will be pursuing in future

[Collaciotach]

I know what you mean !

Re the dogs I tend to leave mine at home this time of year unless doing something low level, they do like a good romp in the snow, but enough to worry about with my own progress up top.

Funny how a few drams seem to straighten anything out, I find the same

haha aye i automatically take the dog everywhere, to be honest i rushed yesterday usually im thourough but for once i was nt and just did nt think about it as far as the dog went !

[dooterbang]

Glad your ok mate and nothing serious damaged.

Hope your nose aint too painful when blowing it, ouch!!

Great report in highlighting the dangers of winter walking.

Crampons and ice axe must be carried at all time.

Ice axe should be in hand as soon as you start ascending till you finish the walk.

A lesson learned but i know you'll kick its but next time

[Collaciotach]

Glad your ok mate and nothing serious damaged.

Hope your nose aint too painful when blowing it, ouch!!

Great report in highlighting the dangers of winter walking.

Crampons and ice axe must be carried at all time.

Ice axe should be in hand as soon as you start ascending till you finish the walk.

A lesson learned but i know you'll kick its but next time

Aye a bhalaich no serious damage at all ....a nice wee warning / let off . I always keep the ice axe in hand crampons are the boys i constantly debate over ..... not any more and aye no picking the nose

[Bod]

Awh, just glad you are well and been able to remind us all of the real dangers. As said it is all to easy to allow ourselves to be a little complacent at times (been there!). Here's to a speedy recovery.....
We've been out too this weekend and been reminded of how vital crampons are, and also have difficult it can be with cold fingers to fit them properly. It seems all to easy in your living room, always important to try whilst out there. Again, so happy all is well....

[SusieThePensioner]

A great read and hope everyone learns from your cautionary tale. Good that you're ok.

However experienced in winter walking you just can't take anything for granted, conditions are never the same!

Some great photos and just love the colours in your first one

[brian7530]

good to see that your ok..its true what they say..everydays a school day ...iv made the mistake of goin up without the crampons as well ...never again stay safe amigo

[Collaciotach]

Awh, just glad you are well and been able to remind us all of the real dangers. As said it is all to easy to allow ourselves to be a little complacent at times (been there!). Here's to a speedy recovery.....
We've been out too this weekend and been reminded of how vital crampons are, and also have difficult it can be with cold fingers to fit them properly. It seems all to easy in your living room, always important to try whilst out there. Again, so happy all is well....

Hello Bod aye lesson learned and got off light .... already recovered we trip this week to town to acquire some nice new crampons as well

[Collaciotach]

A great read and hope everyone learns from your cautionary tale. Good that you're ok.

However experienced in winter walking you just can't take anything for granted, conditions are never the same!

Some great photos and just love the colours in your first one

Aye i have a noble nose and it takes a good battering ceart gu leor ..... lesson learned

[Collaciotach]

good to see that your ok..its true what they say..everydays a school day ...iv made the mistake of goin up without the crampons as well ...never again stay safe amigo

Aye crampons in future thats for sure