free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
It was freezing (still), I was feeling rubbish (still - but not quite as rubbish as the week before - yay!), there was snow and ice on the roads (still) but we figured we'd venture out for a cycle with a potential wander in the middle. We headed up the hill - the road was surprisingly free of ice and when the sun was shining it was warmer than expected.
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh looked spectacular
Across Loch Ness to Carn a' Bhodaich
The top of Ben Wyvis poking out - it was truly a winter wonderland
It was a tough ride (for broken Jaxter) but we finally made it to the Tom Bailgeann track. We had a breather and locked up the bikes. Malky had carried up my boots for me (what a gent) so after a footwear change, we headed slowly up the track. The views down Loch Duntelchaig were incredible
We were worried that the track might been covered in waist deep snow (which would have been a no-go for me), but luckily there had been a vehicle as well as a good amount of feet up and down the track.
There was a lot of ice hiding just underneath the surface so we had to take a lot of care. It was also really hard work - snow, ice and steep!
Looking back - beautiful
Looking towards Loch Ruthven (also covered in snow) and the other Strathnairn hills
After a few slow zig-zags we came across a section where the snow had drifted - this looked impossible for me, although very pretty...
We decided to follow some footprints heading straight up. Malky stamped his way through (using his appropriate winter mountaineering footwear
) and named the climb "Green Wellies Direct"
It was steep, and the top bit was awkward, but probably better than wading through the drifts, and we got good views!
We were now on the next level and all the snow was deep. It was really tough going, even with Malky making footsteps - even step was a challenge.
Finally nearing the top, we could see Loch Duntelchaig far below
Malky and his wellies charging on
Reaching the top we weren't disappointed. Despite my exhaustion (and the knowledge that we had to get all the way home) the views were totally worth it as we looked further south towards Torness and then Loch Ness
Glen Affric hills
Strathfarrar munros and Beinn a' Bha'ach Ard
The hills above Dumnaglass on the edge on the Monadhliath
Loch Ness and Carn a' Bhodaich
Affric & Strathfarrar hills, with the Fannaichs in the distance to the right - it was a crystal clear day
Looking back towards Inverness
Looking straight across the loch
South down the loch
Jaxtering
It was time to head down - despite the sun, the temperature was below freezing and was set to drop A LOT
Heading down was a bit easier than the ascent, but the snow was still deep and hard work...
Reversing "Green Wellies Direct" seemed like the obvious way back and after that the ground was a bit easier (although now even icier!) The evening light looked amazing, but was a sign of MORE COLD coming
Malky trying to stay off the ice
And enjoying the views
Loch Duntelchaig...almost down!
Back at the bikes we had another breather and footwear change for me, before heading off on the bikes. We wanted the quickest and easiest route down, which was reversing our outward route. Unfortunately it was so cold that my back brake had frozen (not really ideal before a big descent
As we stopped to breath a bit of warmth into frozen fingers, the sunset was superb
By this point it was unbearably cold, and only having one working brake meant no wiggling fingers. I had to stop several times to get some life back into my fingers!
By the time we got home I was shivering uncontrollably and it took a long time to warm up. The temperature dropped to -15 overnight (although colder in other areas; -23 in Braemar!!) so not an evening to be out late
Cycle: 30.27km, 370m ascent, 2 hours 15 mins
