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Forecast looked OK, cloud & possibly wind so went for this one. Passed the Altnafeadh layby, there's one round the corner that's bigger & less busy. It's on the return route too, so shorter walk back. View from here:
Started to walk along road to start point, but took direct route instead - shorter and less risk of roadkill. Crossed a burn, Buachaille etive Beag:
Then over rough ground to corrie, knew I'd pick up path somewhere on right of burn.
Got path eventually, heading to lowest point on bealach:
Nice path:
Hill is busy even on a Wednesday. A few guided groups who wore helmets & were roped up. They started early on snow to get practise, I'm still on the path here:
Further up, the path turns to loose scree which gives way underfoot as the hill becomes steeper. Got crampons on & went for snow at this point. There were queues of walkers towards the top, maybe guides were giving instructions? Others avoided this by going up alternate routes to the right but it was clear when I got there.
Nice view for 'camera' breaks. 'I remember when this was all hills...'.
Camera stayed in bag towards the end, nearly had to perform impromptu self arrest even with crampons & ice axe. Finally got to the top & started up Stob Dearg. This was rockier so crampons off again, there's a route to the left that includes more snow so you could keep them on. Looking down to bealach and Stob na Doire:
The large group at the top of the bealach were being told they could remove helmets from now on, they followed me to summit but I had 5 mins peace for a piece.
Got back to corrie, more roped up climbers practising something?
Then onwards to Stob na Doire, was being followed by large group now. Hard slog uphill in snow & felt like I was pursued by human centipede.
Back to Stob Dearg from top:
Weather was deteriorating now, winds getting up with rain. My intuition told me to go straight on from top, but compass disagreed. Turn right & down along ridge. You can see the return point to the valley from here, it's further along in a snowy section so care needed.
Stob Coire Altrium:
Looking back to Stob na Doire descent, had crampons off for this:
Route up to this point:
Met a couple of guys on way up, they said it was freezing on Stob na Broig but an easy walk. Had a look at where they left ridge for valley, had to cross cornice and it didn't look too stable. Easy walk:
And rewarded with a nice big cairn at the top:
As advertised, it was freezing here. Wind was gusting which made the walk along narrow snowy ridge interesting. Had to stop & dig crampons and ice axe in a couple of times. Return route:
And it looks so inviting, beware its charms
Back to descent point, snow looks dodgy here so took care.
It was steep at the other side. Snow was soft and deep in the middle where there had been obvious avalanches, firmer around sides.
After this there's a good path down on the left of the burn to the valley and another fine path - and fine walk - back to car park.