Character Building on Beinn Dearg

[andrewdoggett]

Headline, The Southeastern Highlands

Blizzard conditions at times with winds up to near hurricane force at highest levels for a few hours.

How Windy?

Westerly 60mph, gusts 85mph to more northwesterly temporarily 70mph with gusts to 100mph around the middle of the day across higher tops.

Effect Of Wind?

Mobility becoming very difficult or even impossible for a while on higher tops. Very severe wind chill.

The Walk...

So a fairly insane forecast (i.e. I strongly suggest you don't venture out in a forecast like this unless you're very experienced and very particular about where you go) meant an appropriate choice of hill; no need to be messing about on steep stuff with this kind of warning... I wanted a long walk to get some distance in; so we fairly quickly settled on Beinn Dearg from Blair Atholl. I'd notched this one up in March of 2011; but it was new for Craig and had no steep bits we could fall off; plus if the winds were too strong to ascend we could always have a long circular walk. Decision made...

All went well until the ascent; we made fairly quick time averaging 5.5 km/hr to the bothy. There was around an inch of snow; and the path icy in places but nothing you couldn't avoid...

Beautiful Landscape...

Rocco...

So to the ascent; again all was well until the left turn that signals the final 2 km.

The Final 2 km...

Looking gorgeous in the sun...

From here the winds just got stronger and stronger; walking in a straight line was impossible; snow was being blwon hard across the mountain in the due easterly direction. It was a battle to keep moving and required just about every muscle in the body; but we got there... A brief respite behind the trig point for a quick photo; and then back to the descent...

The Atmosphere Builds...

Scraggles in the Wind...

Scraggles in the Wind 2...

Scraggles bagging Beinn Dearg...

The initial 20 metres from the summit is due west into the wind today and the force of the wind was enough to lift my eyelids off my eyes. Serious stuff. The wind was even stronger on the descent though it was easier to keep moving as it was downhill. It took real effort to breathe. We took a straighter line on the descent; principally to avoid having to walk due west into the wind, as we otherwise would have to have done. I have no photos of the descent; the conditions were too bad; especially for the first kilometre; and we wanted to get out of what we called the death zone as quickly as possible.

As we descended the wind eased and by the time we were back on the landrover track we were ready for a drink

That was it aside from the 10 km back to the car accompanied by a pleasant snowfall; huge great flakes

A gentle snow shower to keep us cool on the hoof back to the car...

the wind took the edge of the time; so it ended up being a whisper over 6 hours at 6 hours and 6 minutes for the 29.4 km; but as usual we had an adventure; and all was well... A right good hoof as we say

The Stats...

2012 - 01 - 21 - Beinn Dearg.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[Fudgie]

No one can doubt your commitment if you're willing to go out in that wind. I decided not to bother and I'm glad I did

[daveh]

Well done for getting out today and i binned my plans at 6.30 am after hearing the wind battering the windows.Hopefully a couple of Grahams tomorrow at Lochgoilhead

[mgmt!]

character building ?
" so a fairly insane forcast" ?
"unless your very experienced" ?
" path icy in places, but nothing you couldnt avoid "?
couldnt you have avoided last weeks jeremy beadle slip on an icy path ?
"walking in a straight line was impossible " ?
" battling to keep moving required every muscle in the body " ?
" real effort to breath" ?
" death zone " ?
character building ?

walter mitty ? ?

[quoman]

Had the same conditions as you had up glenshee the day that was some wind blowinas all over the place.

Still good to get out though

[monty]

Are the men in white coats at your door yet Andrew hahaha. Good effort. I am sure i would have quit just after the bothy haha.

[mrssanta]

I thought I was going to be blown away down the town at the shops!

[Collaciotach]

Good report and same in the West real hurricane alley kinda day

[dooterbang]

Has Monty stolen your "character"

Fast time

Looked a wild day to be out.

[ChrisW]

That's a great time for any conditions Andrew, love that photo of Rocco

[jonny616]

Old gag i Know but 'so thats what it looks like' Well done Andrew. Thats a WH member on the summit 17th, 21st & 22nd Jan. Does anyone what to keep it going. Once we have 4 summiters in a calander month i think we own it

[monty]

Is that you volunteering Johnny616