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!
I set off from the fine wee hamlet of Fersit at about 9:30am.- Leaving Fresit
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.
- Sron na Garbh-bheinne
I made steady progress over the partly frozen boggy landscape (but not quite frozen enough to take my weight!
) Soon I was looking up at the imposing prow of Sron na Garbh-bheinne. I was getting close to 600 metres and the snow beds were getting more extensive. It looked like I would soon have to tackle snow on the climb onto the ridge! I headed for the gully just to the left of centre which seemed a likely way up!- Towards the ridge
To the west there were great views of the Easains.
- The Easains Ridge
Behind me Creag Meagaidh stood out boldly in the clear air.
- Creag Meagaidh
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.
- Climbing the gully
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!
). Higher up I came across some fresh boot prints (and maybe a dog's paw prints) which suggested there might be less icy ways up! The ground became progressively whiter as I approached the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain. The sunshine was glorious!
- Towards the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain
The summit proved to be an amazing place and I lingered there a while.
- At the summit - Stob Coire Sgriodain
Loch Treig lay far below beyond a tumble of broken boulders.
- Loch Treig
The twin peaks of Stob Coire Easain and Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin rose up proudly to the west.
- Stob Coire Easain and Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin
Beinn a' Chlachair and its partners looked impressive to the north-east.
- Beinn a' Chlachair
Whilst Chno Dearg - my next Munro of the day - looked a much gentler hill to the east.
- Chno Dearg
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!
- Towards the south top of Stob Coire Sgriodain
Heading along the Easains looked impressive.
- The Easains
And there were some good views towards Glencoe to the south.
- Towards Glencoe
The snowfields gave great walking for crampons.
- Snowfields
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!
- Walking on snow
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.
- Ben Nevis and the Easains
Schiehallion showed up well to the south-east.
- Schiehallion
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!
) - but I still had Chno Dearg waiting in the background to be climbed.- On top of Meall Garbh
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!
)- Approaching Chno Dearg
As I started my ascent of Chno Dearg I noticed the other group of walkers following me up the slopes.
- Walkers below
It didn't take long to reach the summit dome with views towards the Easains and the Grey Corries opening up.
- The Easains and the Grey Corries
It was time to perch myself on the cairn and pretend for the camera that I had been sitting there for ages.
- The summit of Chno Dearg
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.
