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A brilliant dawn 'til dusk day out in perfect winter conditions. Showshoes, axe and crampons all used at various points which added to the fun, despite the extra weight on my back when none were in use!
Was great to revisit and scramble up the tor on top of Beinn Mheadhoin in winter, although the main purpose was bagging its two Tops: Stacan Dubha and Stob Coire Etchachan.
But the weather was so good that after descending to Loch Echtachan I continued over to Creagan a' Choire Etchachan and Carn Etchachan via Ben Macdui, the sun setting as I did so, descending under the power of my headtorch, tired but vey pleased to have had such a great day out.
- An early start from the ski area car park, a beautiful 'Belt of Venus' lighting up the sky beyond Loch Morlich...
- ... and in time to see the sun rise from the cairn at pt 1141 ...
- Then amusing myself (dreaming I was on skis!) making tracks in my shoeshoes down into Coire Raibeirt before dropping to Loch Avon...
- ... and then steeply up the other side, via a Top to Beinn Mheadhoin
- Axe and crampons helping me scramble onto the summit tor, with super views...
- ... tramping over two more tops before eventually making it to the iced-up Trig pillar on of Ben Macdui
- After visiting the last Top, enjoying a lovely sunset over Cairn Toul and Braeraich ...
- ... my headtorch throwing out enough lumens to light up the crags of Coire an Lochan on the way down.
