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There was a lot of snow around and we were keen to get out and make the most of it. We'd been looking at a route on the outlying tops of Carn nan Tri-tighearnan above Culloden. The route that Malky had suggested was going to be far too much for me, but we thought that a shortened version might be possible, with plenty of "outs" if I was struggling.
The lay-by was busy but we managed to get parked and headed off along the track, on snow from the start
It was a steep climb initially so we took our time over it, but soon we could start to see the bulk of Ben Wyvis over the top of the trees
The hills above Helmsdale and Scaraben
We climbed up through the forest, managing to negotiate some steep icy sections (although they would be interesting on the way back!) before breaking out onto the open moor
Beinn Bhuidhe Mhor (not for today)
It wasn't long before we could see over the trees to a wonderful panorama of snowy hills - if we couldn't be there, then it was at least nice to look at them
We were heading for Saddle Hill so took a left just before the ford - this track had had less footfall, but enough to make walking possible
Looking across to Beinn Bhuidhe Bheag
Looking back - so much snow
We walked along the side of Saddle Hill - figured it would be easier walking on the track than the ridge. We spotted some footprints coming down and decided to follow them - it would be less effort than making our own
Malky leading the way, wearing his winter mountaineering wellies
Despite having the footprints and Malky to follow, it was predictably hard work. But as I stopped for yet another breather, we'd come high enough up to see back and it made the whole thing so worth it
Ben Klibreck just visible through the gap
Looking across Inverness to the spectacular north west
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh, Loch Ness and the Great Glen
We realised that we weren't actually at the summit of Saddle Hill - that was around 3-400m further along the ridge in what would be deep sinky snow. I thought it could be do-able if Malky went first, but when he realised that the snow was going inside his wellies we gave up
The descent was steep but mercifully short!
The steep side of Saddle Hill
We could have turned around and headed back from here, but we wanted to go over Beinn Bhuidhe Bheag too if we could. We had a breather before deciding to continue along the track - we could see it climbing up the hill ahead
It was tough going on the ascent - it was steep and the light was starting to go. We were making progress though, and when we stopped for a bite to eat and pee we realised we could now see over the top of Saddle Hill
Panorama shot
However, around the corner things became trickier - the track had been dug into the mountain which meant that the snow had built up inside it and made for very hard going
The snow-covered hills of Caithness
Eventually we had to climb out of the snow-filled trench and walk through the heather above - others had done this too which helped, but it was still really tough going and by the time we finally reached the top I was exhausted. There was no denying that the views were fantastic though
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh and the Great Glen
Malky and his excellent new bobble hat
Malky apparently angry about bobble hat, or maybe just the company
It was getting really cold, and there was a long way to go, so we headed off. Unfortunately the track was still snowed in, so we had to continue through the heather
Eventually the track did improve, and we were hopeful that once we met the Beinn Bhuidhe Mhor track there would be more footfall.
It was turning into a nice evening
We had to dodge out of the way of a guy snowboarding down the track followed by a quadbike. When they got to the wee wooden hut, the snowboarder hopped onto the quadbike and headed back up the track, presumably for another run - it looked like fun but more importantly had made the track easier to walk on
Some nice light on the Grahams to the right of Ben Wyvis
From here it was a case of plodding back to the fork in the track and then retracing our steps to the car - fortunately the icy bits weren't too dreadful but no doubt it would freeze again overnight and be treacherous again the following day!