The Munros I have still to climb are getting further away from the central belt - so it was up early and a long drive up the A9 then along Glen Spean so that I could tackle Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg on what I hoped would be a fine winter's day. The forecast was good and I was hopeful of excellent conditions - but I have been disappointed before!

There was a group of walkers, also from Fife, set off about the same time as me - and I was to cross paths with them a few times on my journey. Going east through Fersit, I was soon out on the open moor and I could see Sron na Garbh-bheinne, my route to the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain, rising up to the south.
I made steady progress over the partly frozen boggy landscape (but not quite frozen enough to take my weight!

To the west there were great views of the Easains.
Behind me Creag Meagaidh stood out boldly in the clear air.
Heading up the gully, I soon discovered that there was a fair build up of snow at its head. I decided to cut a few steps with the ice axe across a narrow section on the east side and then I scrambled up the bank onto easier ground above. The other group of walkers donned crampons at the foot of the snow and made their way up the steep bank.
Soon I had the crampons on myself as it became easier to use the snow slopes as my route onto the ridge. The snow was an ideal consistency - firm enough to take my weight but yielding enough for a good grip with the crampons (very different to my experience on Sgiath Chuil the previous week!

The ground became progressively whiter as I approached the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain. The sunshine was glorious!

The summit proved to be an amazing place and I lingered there a while.
Loch Treig lay far below beyond a tumble of broken boulders.
The twin peaks of Stob Coire Easain and Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin rose up proudly to the west.
Beinn a' Chlachair and its partners looked impressive to the north-east.
Whilst Chno Dearg - my next Munro of the day - looked a much gentler hill to the east.
My way forward was along the ridge south east from the summit - towards the south top of Stob Coire Sgriodain. It proved to be complex ground with hummocks and minor ridges running at an angle to the main ridge. I imagine it could be challenging in poor visibility! But today it was beautifully clear!
Heading along the Easains looked impressive.
And there were some good views towards Glencoe to the south.
The snowfields gave great walking for crampons.
But I can't help feeling that I look like an old man with a walking stick coming across the snow! Well if the cap fits - wear it!

From the col I headed off the regular route to take in the Munro Top of Meall Garbh. I was rewarded with views of Ben Nevis emerging from behind the Easains.
Schiehallion showed up well to the south-east.
I was at the top of Meall Garbh (I try to visit the Munro Tops too when it is practicable - but it tends to make for a longer day!

Chno Dearg has a bit of a reputation for being a rounded and rather boring hill but I've always rather liked the sound of the name. Perhaps it is best climbed in winter. As I walked towards it I noticed evidence of a past avalanche. "It can't be that tame a hill if it can do avalanches" I thought. Perhaps in another few thousand years it could have a fine corrie on its east side! (But perhaps that will need another ice age to complete!

As I started my ascent of Chno Dearg I noticed the other group of walkers following me up the slopes.
It didn't take long to reach the summit dome with views towards the Easains and the Grey Corries opening up.
It was time to perch myself on the cairn and pretend for the camera that I had been sitting there for ages.
But time was pressing on - it was time to head home. The snow fields north of the summit provided a good route down with crampons on my feet.