Beinn a' Chaorainn

[litljortindan]

Strange conditions yesterday aside from me being out of condition as usual. It was sub-zero for most of the ascent with lots of frozen ground but no need for microspikes or crampons, even when crossing snow patches. And no wildlife at all. It was forecast by the Met Office to be windchill of minus seven rising to minus six by mid-day so I had timed the ascent accordingly (experience telling me that I can cope with about minus five or thereabouts) though I felt quite knackered by the half way point and doubted my ability to reach the summit. But my mindless, donkey-like, persistence got me there! In the past I would have been able to get to the summit without stopping but now I have to make frequent short stops, particularly on steeper gradients. Then I had a couple of miles of ridge walking to admire the cornices but without much ascent or re-ascent. I didn't feel too cold at the summit as the winds were light but I clearly was getting cold as my toes numbed on ascending the north top. So I stopped to do some star jumps. Not sure if it was these or the onset of more sunny weather but the numbness went. A slight reaction afterwards in my problematic left ankle but not too bad.


Followed the WH route recommendation along the forestry track and left at the junction. No need to cross the stile now.


You can just about make out the atv track here. In fact I found it fairly easy to follow to the deer fence stile and then a fairly distinct path most of the rest of the way to the summit ridge. Quite firm on the way up (but surprisingly non-slip) but squelchy on the way down.


Plenty of snow on Aonach Mor.


A brightening sky above but I am finding it hard going. I think back to 2018 when I only got as far as Meall Clachaig because I found the soft snow too tiring. This time I am just tired but I keep going.


It is gloomy to the south east, as forecast, but I chose this hill because the windchill was supposed to be a bit less extreme than the sunnier climes further north.


The sight of the summit slopes does nothing to make me feel more energetic but I am now confident of getting to the summit.


Good view of Loch Treig.


Couldn't miss the deer fence stile as the atv track and then path brought me straight here. Under snow it wouldn't be difficult to spot as it is more or less at the high point of the ground between Meall Clachaig and the final summit slopes.


View over Loch Laggan.


Ben Nevis catching some of the weak sunshine.


I should know better than to think I am seeing the final slope; a sort of false summit or, at least, the true summit obscured. I ascend about twenty metres at a time and stop to catch my breath as if it was an oxygen starved Everest attempt. I know I will improve in the Spring.


Eye-catching Grey Corries peaks.




About 200m below the summit the erstwhile clear path becomes a bit lost in the stones, scree and boulders. The ground is frozen but not slippery.


At last an indication that I am almost there!


South top view of Loch Treig & co.


Snowy peaks in the distant north west.


Creag Meagaidh western slopes.


The ridge to the north beckons.


Sunshine starting to break through a bit more. It's supposed to be minus six or seven windchill but I feel quite comfortably warm, a little recognised side benefit of being unfit.


Big cornices.


View west.


And looking south again.




East again.


Mindless donkey-like persistence does get you there in the end.


Pleasant stroll along the summit ridge.


Creag Meagaidh again.




Not much ascent or re-ascent required. Just as well!


More big cornices on the main summit.


Looking back towards the south top.


South top cornices.


South top with Loch Treig beyond.






View south from main summit.




View west over Beinn Teallach.


The north top beckons.


But I'll stay well back from that edge.


Half way there my toes start to feel numb. The rest of me feels fine though. I decide to do some star jumps to try to counter the problem. This may have worked or it may have been the increased sunshine around this time.


Final gentle slope up to north top. I don't bother trying to get the this top because there is too much snow to negotiate and I already got the views I wanted.


Main summit.


About as far as I went.


On the way back to the main summit.



I cut across the shoulder of the south top to cut out that little bit of re-ascent. That also cut out some of the bouldery ground.

On the way back:

[Graeme D]

Nicely done!

The cornices on this one seem to be quite renowned. I've heard a few tales of folks coming a cropper on them in the past and that knowledge was enough to scare me off one Hogmanay many moons ago when I couldn't have been too far off the summit and it all closed in entirely. I kept telling myself that I had the OS sheet and a compass and could perfectly well steer away from them but the seed was planted and I retreated.

[prog99]

Nicely done!

The cornices on this one seem to be quite renowned. I've heard a few tales of folks coming a cropper on them in the past.

I've seen where mountain rescue have dug a casualty out after going through that cornice, sobering stuff. Its one of my favourite hills (via the east ridge) but needs some respect.

[Colin1951]

Lovely atmospheric pictures. When I climbed this one (and Ben Teallach, just after its promotion to Munro status) it was spring, with much more snow cover, and thick mist. So I could see….hee haw! (Sorry) So your donkey like persistence paid off much better than mine.

[Anne C]

What a great day you had! One I’ve been meaning to do for ages…you’ve inspired me to get a move on and organise a trip sooner rather than later.

[jmarkb]

The cornices on this one seem to be quite renowned. I've heard a few tales of folks coming a cropper on them in the past

It does not help that the 1:50k map (legitimately!) omits the top two contours from the slope on the E side between the south and central tops. This gives the impression that the edge is some way further east than it really is, and that a direct line between the two tops will just miss it, whereas in reality it doesn't! There is also a little gully feature that cuts into the plateau - this is evident on the 1:25k map (which shows the 1010m and 1020m contours) but not on the 1:50k.

[litljortindan]

Nicely done!

The cornices on this one seem to be quite renowned. I've heard a few tales of folks coming a cropper on them in the past and that knowledge was enough to scare me off one Hogmanay many moons ago when I couldn't have been too far off the summit and it all closed in entirely. I kept telling myself that I had the OS sheet and a compass and could perfectly well steer away from them but the seed was planted and I retreated.

Thanks!
Better safe than sorry. From my limited whiteout experience I can imagine the background and foreground merging.

[litljortindan]

Nicely done!

The cornices on this one seem to be quite renowned. I've heard a few tales of folks coming a cropper on them in the past.

I've seen where mountain rescue have dug a casualty out after going through that cornice, sobering stuff. Its one of my favourite hills (via the east ridge) but needs some respect.

I noticed the east ridge on Bing OS map but looks challenging:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=90560

[litljortindan]

Lovely atmospheric pictures. When I climbed this one (and Ben Teallach, just after its promotion to Munro status) it was spring, with much more snow cover, and thick mist. So I could see….hee haw! (Sorry) So your donkey like persistence paid off much better than mine.

It was a nice contrast of gloom to the east and brightening sky elsewhere. Nice evening too.

[litljortindan]

What a great day you had! One I’ve been meaning to do for ages…you’ve inspired me to get a move on and organise a trip sooner rather than later.

I did! My criteria were not too long, not too high, not too cold, decent views and home not too late so all good. I am torn between get a move on and space the walks out at the moment. Need to do something about the fitness too but pleased that I could do this walk ok.

[litljortindan]

The cornices on this one seem to be quite renowned. I've heard a few tales of folks coming a cropper on them in the past

It does not help that the 1:50k map (legitimately!) omits the top two contours from the slope on the E side between the south and central tops. This gives the impression that the edge is some way further east than it really is, and that a direct line between the two tops will just miss it, whereas in reality it doesn't! There is also a little gully feature that cuts into the plateau - this is evident on the 1:25k map (which shows the 1010m and 1020m contours) but not on the 1:50k.

I see/saw what you mean there. There was at least one snow patch that looked suspiciously like it was covering some indentation. I guess the gentle curves between the tops don't help either or the flatness of the ridge perhaps tempting folk close to the edge for views.