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Managed to get a last minute unplanned trip before lockdown kicked in for Scotland. Forecast was promising, but the last minute nature of the trip meant that I left home without a plan…… Ended up heading to Glencoe and walked up Stob Coire Sgreamhach via Corie Gabhail (the lost Valley). There had been a dusting of snow during the night and the conditions were awesome.
On the way up, I managed to rip the weather-shield off the underside as I passed Loch Lomond. Took a bit of time to remove the offending part, but more frustratingly, it damaged the diesel heater- so near zero temperatures and no heating…. I also kept on stopping on the way up the A82 to take in the views as the sun came up - how amazing is the route up the A82 on a nice morning......? Never gets old!
I love the walk up to the lost valley and I had a few cool encounters with deer. Also managed to get my new drone up for its first pictures & video up a mountain which was cool… The views from the top were stunning and it was one of those rare clear days (after having plenty that were the opposite!). The last time I came down Coire Gabhail, there was a lot more snow about and it was actually a bit easier then, as on this trip the thick ice made walking pretty treacherous.
It was getting dark as I got back to the van, so I drove a couple of miles down the glen Etive road and parked up for one last overnight before lockdown. Seems crazy that it still seems like business as usual in tiers 3 & 4, but I can’t drive north without stopping or seeing anyone at all for a solo adventure….. oh well, rules are rules……. Hopefully get back out soon.
