Meall Ghaordaih

[jonny616]

Decided that this would be a good hill to blow the effect of new year partying away, plus based on what is written about it never fancied doing it when it was not cloked in snow.

Followed the line suggested by walkhighlands.

just before we left the track

crampons on at 450 meters

Stoped at about 450 meters to put our crampons on as the wind blowing across us was exposing a lot of ice, some of which was a delightfull boggy colour!.

Cloud statrted to lift and had some great views.

Ben Lawers comes into view

Looking down Glen Lochay

Stoped for an energy boost at about 850 meters & after that the steeper terrain was a bit more challenging. Often with deep snow drifts which we needed to navigate around. Found easier going on the exposed ice as the crampons could get a good bite.

At the top

Hid behind the shelter for lunch trying not to expose any part of the body as it was the coldist i have ever expierianced.

Once of the summit took a slightly more direct route down for a spot of sledging over the grassy slopes. Then followed the wall back to the track.

A grand day out, but it confirmed my desire not to atempt this hill in summer as it is clearly just a large damp bog!

[sloosh]

Doesn't look that cold in the photos until the one at the top where everyone looks freezing, even with all the gear on. How was the road up Glen Lochay?

[Paul Webster]

Nice first report Jonny, certainly adds a bit of bite to a hill which doesn't have a great deal of interest by that route in summer.

[jonny616]

Doesn't look that cold in the photos until the one at the top where everyone looks freezing, even with all the gear on. How was the road up Glen Lochay?

A bit dodgy. it was snowing as we went drove up, & we had a couple of hairy moments on the way back out, but we managed it without having to get out & push.