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Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach....

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:11 pm
by wilkiemurray
The forecast was for blue skies, and with snow capped peaks I felt the need to get out and about. I did not have much time so I wanted to choose a peak close to the road that would not take up too much time (I was also due out the day after too so did not want to tire myself too much!). Video :



However the only down side was going to be the wind – 40-50mph and 85mph gusts on exposed ridges and summits!! It was forecast to be coming from a south easterly to easterly direction so a bit of searching through books and maps and I decided on Garbh Bheinn near Kinlochleven. I planned to ascend up the WNW shoulder hoping that I could keep out of the wind if need be.

I left the car just before the bridge at around 09.00AM and it was a little gusty but not too bad. I headed up Torran nan Crann – trying to keep my feet of the water ice and on the grass to stop me slipping (was not too bad – not enough for crampons yet!!). I quickly reached the snow line at Torran and the views over to the Mamores from here were brilliant. The white peaks with clouds scudding by was awesome. Stob Ban looked particularly close. Looking west I could see down Loch Leven into Ardgour past the Pap of Glencoe.
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looking westwards

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Mamores

The route levelled out a little here but I could see it was going to be a steep pull for the rest of the way!! I headed up toward Stob Coire Sgoite going past two or three little rocky outcrops (which were easily skirted round). The wind was not too bad, but every now and again I’d be hit by mini “snow Devils” which were probably being caused by down winds coming over the summit perhaps?? Anyway there were quiet impressive – you could see them coming down the hill like mini tornadoes towards you!!

Looking up I could not see the summit and there were a few false summits on this walk. The clouds were whizzing over the top so I knew that when I reached the top it would be very windy. My main concern at this point though was “the stiff scramble” when reaching Stob Coire Sgoilte. It looked a little daunting when I reached it, but I traversed to the right (south) of the crag and gained the ridge via a short steep gully. The top was now in sight and the wind was certainly picking up!!
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Aonach Eagach from North

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phone picture from summit as sony had frozen shut!!

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looking south

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Buchaille on way home

I reached the top took some pictures and video and about turned! It was now 1145. It was taking me longer than expected. I think this was due to the powdery snow which covered the loose rocks which made the going a little tough with crampons on  (that’s my excuse anyway!!).

I headed back down the same way until the bealach and then turned south to descend into Gleann a Chalais, thus skirting Torran nan Crann. Got back to the car about 12.45 – 13.00 ish. All in all a cracking short hike, the views were great – forgot to mention the north side of the Aonach Eagach which swallowed the views south for the entire day – caught the sun rising over it too which proved a great sight.
Next day did this- a busy weekend!! :

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:25 pm
by NickScots
Nice video, bomber turf too !

Looks like that cliff is very accessable !

I like the Tarmachan cliffs, similar souther highland stuff. Do you use Warthogs for turf pro. ?

I am thinking of getting some.

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:30 pm
by heatheronthehills
Fabulous!!!! Fabulous!!! What a great couple of videos. Loved the photography and the music choices. Looks like you had an amazing weekend :D

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:28 pm
by Graeme D
This looks like a cracking hill to me. I had half an eye on it for the Sunday of the Glencoe meet a few months back but ended up doing Chrulaiste instead. Still firmly on the radar though. Lovely summit views! 8)

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:39 pm
by Lenore
Excellent! Love that last photo especially, but they are all wonderful! Sun and snow's such a great combination.

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:34 pm
by wilkiemurray
heatheronthehills wrote:Fabulous!!!! Fabulous!!! What a great couple of videos. Loved the photography and the music choices. Looks like you had an amazing weekend :D



Twas a good weekend - thanks :D

I see you are noticing the familiarity with the sound tracks on the videos!! :lol:

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:35 pm
by wilkiemurray
Graeme D wrote:This looks like a cracking hill to me. I had half an eye on it for the Sunday of the Glencoe meet a few months back but ended up doing Chrulaiste instead. Still firmly on the radar though. Lovely summit views! 8)


It is a great wee walk Graeme - could probably be knockedoff quicker than I di it in the summer too

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:36 pm
by wilkiemurray
Lenore wrote:Excellent! Love that last photo especially, but they are all wonderful! Sun and snow's such a great combination.


Thanks Lenore - the last picture was a complete fluke!! My camera had frozen shut on the hill and on the way back I was trying to defrost. I saw the Buchaille and wanted to take apicture but did not realise the lens had misted up on the inside - hense the blurred misty periphery of the photo - actually makes it better I think! :lol: :lol:

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:53 pm
by quoman
Quality just magic :clap: :clap: :clap: music's good to.

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:07 pm
by Rottiewalker
Absolutely quality, enjoyed that a lot, and music goes with it well :clap: :clap: cheers

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:27 pm
by lochlaggan
A dancing ice axe....love it

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 3:07 am
by wilkiemurray
NickScots wrote:Nice video, bomber turf too !

Looks like that cliff is very accessable !

Not too mcuh of a walk in which savs the legs with those packs on!!!

I like the Tarmachan cliffs, similar souther highland stuff. Do you use Warthogs for turf pro. ? no - sorry cant help there :(

I am thinking of getting some.

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 3:24 pm
by BlackPanther
I'm jealous. Why the best weather spells come during the week? :evil: :evil: :wink:

Seriously, a great dose of mountain madness. Thanks for sharing :D

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:07 pm
by wilkiemurray
quoman wrote:Quality just magic :clap: :clap: :clap: music's good to.



thanks -will need to incorporate some quo at some point :D

Re: Blue Skies, Spindrift and a view to the Aonach Eagach...

PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:08 pm
by wilkiemurray
lochlaggan wrote:A dancing ice axe....love it



it was bloomin windy on top - had to capture the horizontal ? :lol: :lol: ice axe