Bidean nam Bian

[bernadettewalsh]

Does anyone know please, if the snow that can lie later into summer, described in the WH route for Bidean nam Bian, has melted yet and, if not, is it safe to cross without crampons? Thanks

[Caberfeidh]

I have not been in Glen Coe for a while, but we have had high temperatures and lots of rain so I doubt if there is much, if any, left at all.

[iain_atkinson_1986]

There's only one recent walk report for Bidean on here but they didn't do the route you planned. If I were doing the route I wouldn't be taking axe and crampons based on the conditions we've had this year. You could always flip the route and go up the Lost Valley and Bealach Dearg first so you can at least bail out before you hit any difficulties.

[bernadettewalsh]

Great, thanks for these replies - definitely going for it.

[dave munn]

Was on Bidean two weeks ago. No need for ice axe or crampons on route. Very few snow patches left

[jmarkb]

I am sure you won’t have any problems this late in the year after a such a low-snow winter. For future reference, the safest/easiest descent from Stob Coire Sgreamhach in winter conditions is to go down the SE ridge to a little col at 741m and then NE into the Lairig Eilde.