And so, onto our first of 2019, another winter hike and the pleasure of another budding hiker, big David Cameron, who was itching to try out his crampons. This was another day which I must have felt worthy of a report, so here it is
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=87569A great day, followed by a nice wee shandy in Tyndrum =D Took us 7.25hrs and a lot of fidgeting with crampons to do the 7.3 miles and 910m ascent in heavy going in the snow. Here's some of the better pics.
- Nice one of David and Marina, toward Ben Lui.
- Made it! Stob Glas, Ben Challum, 1025m.
- Well done, David!
- Marina, looking chilly :)
- On the decent.
- At first thought that this was Marina, heading wrong way again! Nice hills :)
Tally: 98hrs, 116.7 miles and 15844m ascent.
Stob Daimh, 9.4.19
The next trip, in April was also fairly local. Marina, had by now done Ben Cruachan, with her buddy, Fiona, but I thought she would enjoy seeing a different way onto the ridge, doing the Dalmally Horseshoe. It also gave me another excuse to visit one of my favourite corries, Coire Chreachainn. I’m not too sure if I have followed the “correct” way up onto the ridge doing the anti-clockwise circuit but, went up a similar route as before, from near a small dam, part of a mini hydro scheme.
- Across to Ben Cruachan and the Taynuilt Peak.
- Summit shot.
- Quick way down.
It is steep! Hard going, but Marina kept plugging away as she does, then the gradient finally eases, at last. That said, there is still a fair hike round several lumpy bumps, before one gets over Sron an Isean, to the summit of the Munro, Stob Daimh. There was still a bit of snow around, which only added to the stunning views, though it was a bit of a grey day. Enjoyed the trip back down the other side of the horseshoe. Was about 8.2miles, 1036m ascent, 6.5hrs.
- Some snow play.
- Coire Chreachainn. Certainly one of the best in the southern alps :)
- Always obliging cattle for a good photo here!
Tally: 106.2hrs, 124.9 miles and 16880m ascent.
Meall nan Tarmachan, 21.5.19
The forecast next lured us over Lawers direction, or perhaps it was just the thought of an easier day out, as we opted for Meall nan Tarmachan, the plan being to do the ridge if the weather played ball..... and it did. I don’t remember much aside my usual caution when it came to the tricky down-scramble and as usual, it didn’t faze, Marina. I remember it gave me palpations the first time, although it was icy then
Anyway, that was the Tarmachan Ridge, or most of it 8.25 miles. 5.5 hours, ascent 783m.
- Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas, beyond Lochan na Lairige.
- Marina, Meall nan Tarmachan.
- The pointy wee top of Meall Garbh .... and Marina!
- Heading along the Tarmachan Ridge.
- The tricky down-step.
- A look back to the bad step.
Tally 111.7hrs, 133.15 miles, 17663m ascent.
It came to the end of July and I was delighted to have an old, new face along, well not that old, just a former work colleague Fiona, to tackle Ben Nevis. Having done it twice via the CMD arete, I would like to have made it a hat-trick, but the ladies were just not quite at that level of fitness yet, so it was the tourist route for us
If I am right, the figure for the number of folk to summit over the past year was something like 125000, so we made it 125003, though it was a tough hike, roasting hot and a crowded path and summit! Didn’t feel like joining the queue to get a photo at the cairn. Was a fair trudge back down. Think it took about 8.75hrs. 10.5miles, 1352m ascent
- Marina, Fiona and myself having made the summit, on a roaster of a day!
- The busy track up/down.
- Fiona and Marina, well chuffed with their efforts.
- Over to Stob ban, where we also experienced a scorcher!
- Steall Falls.
- If you don't come now, you can stay up here all day!
Tally: 120.45hrs, 143.7 miles, 19015m ascent.
28.10.2019 It was maybe getting toward the end of autumn, but there had recently been a good bit of snow, so now was our chance to get back into more wintery conditions. Opted for one in our own back yard, Beinn Bhuidhe, Marina’s 31st
We tackled it from the less well used approach, via Glen Shira, following a route I’d done couple of times before. Either way, it is a fair hike. The going initially is a bit rough over old harvested forestry, but then improves onto a nicer ridge from Tom a Phiobaire onwards.
- Looking over to Cruachan and Loch Awe.
- Looking back along the "ridge."
- Us pair at the top.
- Ben Cruachan.
Enjoyed some great views down Loch Fyne toward Inveraray, as we progressed into the snow, which added to the scenery. It was a bit chilly, but I still managed to complete the trip in just the t-shirt. On the way back, we took the chance to try a different descent near the end, coming down a more westerly direction off Tom a Phiobaire, onto the road down from the dam. Next time, that’s the way I’ll be going, Coronavirus permitting
I think we were about 6 hrs for this one. Rougly 7.3miles and 908m ascent.
- Don't do it!
- Old Jimbo.
- Through to Inveraray.
- Another of Inveraray.
Tally 126.5hrs, 151 miles, 19923m ascent.
Plus, others you have done! But, I'll let you tally them up yerself!
(Ben Lui, Beinn a’Chleibh) (Ben Oss, Beinn Dubhcraig) (Beinn Dorain) (Ben Cruachan)
That's about equivalent of Everest a couple of times
Alas, Coronavirus has put an end to the hills for now, but hopefully won't be too long till we get the chance to enjoy another trip up a Munro!