Who will be the Bidey-in on Bidean?

[kevsbald]

The forecast was superb; so good in fact that I left any sheep-like material in the car. Andrew, my future brother-in-law was joining me and was keen to tackle one of the 'wee hills' in Scotland - he is American and he had thrown down the gauntlet. I was keen therefore for him to enjoy a typical 'wee' Scottish hill. We hit the car park at 0830 in order to beat the hordes and began our walk up to Coire nan Lochan. It was a pleasant meander but I was probably not walking to my partner's comfort - well, it was only a 'wee' hill. Andrew revelled in the shites for shore eyesh and was snap-happy with new camera. We eventually got onto the ridge up to Stob Coire Nan Lochan and once we topped out, the view was utterly amazing.

The view across to BIdean Nam Bian

The steep buttress of Bidean ahead, a sweep round to Loch Linnhe and beyond and Sgreamhach in the distance. We decided to have lunch here and I brought out 2 cans of root beer - how good was that. Andrew had sandwiches but he obviously wasn't aware of the 'lunch du jour' competition. My pasta, cajun chicken-rice concoction won hands down. We got going and began the last steep climb towards Bidean. We took our glory shots,

Poser!

headed down the ridge towards Sgreamhach, then the slippery descent to the Hidden Valley. It is rather an awkward wee gully that you have to descend off the bealach and care is needed. We both 'glissaded' down the snow slope just below this, which was much fun and then once at the foot of the Hidden Valley, Andrew decided to take a skinny-dip in a wee pool. I knew he was daft but allowed him to proceed. As he submerged himself, he shouted "Aaaah, this is just.......freaking freezing!" He departed the lochan tout de suite with no lack of haste and no crotch. After I had tested the watter (fecking baltic), we dried off and headed back to the car. It truly was a majestic day and one to remember. BTW, Andrew was bushed in the car and took him a 'wee' while to recover.....

[Paul Webster]

Always a favourite hill - interested to see how much snow is left... bet it's nearly gone now.

Poser!

[mountain coward]

Amazing that you got an American up a mountain from the ones I've seen! My American ex was the size of a house and expanding all the time - a 5 minute walk used to bring on total collapse! I suppose there must be some fit ones though... LOL to his swim in the lochan! What temperature was he expecting?

[Alan S]

well done on that

im sure i recognise that posing shot from a previous report
or is that your trademark shot

[Michelle]

When we Americans see water we think we're to swim in it... good for you Kev holding your silence as your future in-law took a dip in the nice 'pool'... myself, I'd have been laughing too hard and spoiled his chilly surprise

This was my first munro, though I wish I'd hit it on so nice a day. As for the views, I must live vicariously through photos... that's the trouble with living so far away from these great hills, takes some planning to get to, so (to an extent) I have to take what I can get with the weather/views while I'm there.