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Slogging through Snowy Wonderland

Slogging through Snowy Wonderland


Postby Jaxter » Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:06 pm

Date walked: 31/01/2021

Time taken: 3.35 hours

Distance: 10.37 km

Ascent: 380m

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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
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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
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The hills above Helmsdale and Scaraben
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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 8)
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Beinn Bhuidhe Mhor (not for today)
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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 8)
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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 8)
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Looking across to Beinn Bhuidhe Bheag
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Looking back - so much snow 8)
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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
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Malky leading the way, wearing his winter mountaineering wellies
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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 8)
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Ben Klibreck just visible through the gap
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Looking across Inverness to the spectacular north west
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Meall Fuar-mhonaidh, Loch Ness and the Great Glen
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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 :lol:
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The descent was steep but mercifully short!
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The steep side of Saddle Hill
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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
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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
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Panorama shot
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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
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The snow-covered hills of Caithness
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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 8)
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Meall Fuar-mhonaidh and the Great Glen
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Malky and his excellent new bobble hat 8)
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Malky apparently angry about bobble hat, or maybe just the company :lol:
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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
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Eventually the track did improve, and we were hopeful that once we met the Beinn Bhuidhe Mhor track there would be more footfall.
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It was turning into a nice evening
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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 :lol:
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Some nice light on the Grahams to the right of Ben Wyvis
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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!
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Jaxter
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Re: Slogging through Snowy Wonderland

Postby rockhopper » Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:52 pm

Some nice and very clear views from up there. Seems another world gjven the recent hot weather.
Bobble hat :think: ....but wellies :lol: - all the best :)
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rockhopper
 
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Re: Slogging through Snowy Wonderland

Postby Sunset tripper » Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:14 pm

Beautiful! Great views from these hills looking across the toon and beyond - fine pics.

All the best. :D
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