Life in the slow lane, Beinn Achaladair and a'Chreachain
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:41 pm
Life in the slow lane - first on the hill and the last off it (had to sweep up and put the lights out).
Arrived at an empty car park and off onto the hill at 08.25 just as the rush hour arrived, spent the next few hours being passed by them all, not that I could have gone any faster.
Decided to follow the Gorton bothy track as far as the footbridge as per the WH route. Some local signs were indicating to stay south of the river and walk through the woods parallel to the railway line.
When I arrived at the footbridge it was destroyed, looked like an iceberg or tidal wave had come down the Water of Tulla and hit it. 20 mtrs up-stream a safe crossing point was found but difficult to access what the normal water level would be.
The wind was brisk and keen in the glen a foretaste of what was to come on the ridge. Made good time up to Coire an Lochain and went all the way into see the frozen loch, the turned left to climb to the ridge between the 981 top and a'Chreachain.
The wind was blowing in a circular direction in the coire and lots of powder snow had accumulated on the route up until where exposed to the high winds and had hardened into 300-500 mm waves.
Before I topped out on the ridge the force of the wind made its presence felt and another layer was required (4) and a balaclava and hood even then the lefthand side could feel the chill for most of the round.
Great walk over Meall Buidhe with fantastic views, wave after wave of white topped giants in all directions.
The top of the ridge was ice covered and the wind had sculptured it like somebody had been round with the Artex comb.
The climb up Achaladair from Bealach an Aoghlan was a little bit tasty, sheets of smooth ice and even with spikes on I had to cut several steps just to be extra safe when changing direction.
The great day had to come to an end and I was chased off the hill by the wind all the way down Coire Achaladair
Arrived at an empty car park and off onto the hill at 08.25 just as the rush hour arrived, spent the next few hours being passed by them all, not that I could have gone any faster.
Decided to follow the Gorton bothy track as far as the footbridge as per the WH route. Some local signs were indicating to stay south of the river and walk through the woods parallel to the railway line.
When I arrived at the footbridge it was destroyed, looked like an iceberg or tidal wave had come down the Water of Tulla and hit it. 20 mtrs up-stream a safe crossing point was found but difficult to access what the normal water level would be.
The wind was brisk and keen in the glen a foretaste of what was to come on the ridge. Made good time up to Coire an Lochain and went all the way into see the frozen loch, the turned left to climb to the ridge between the 981 top and a'Chreachain.
The wind was blowing in a circular direction in the coire and lots of powder snow had accumulated on the route up until where exposed to the high winds and had hardened into 300-500 mm waves.
Before I topped out on the ridge the force of the wind made its presence felt and another layer was required (4) and a balaclava and hood even then the lefthand side could feel the chill for most of the round.
Great walk over Meall Buidhe with fantastic views, wave after wave of white topped giants in all directions.
The top of the ridge was ice covered and the wind had sculptured it like somebody had been round with the Artex comb.
The climb up Achaladair from Bealach an Aoghlan was a little bit tasty, sheets of smooth ice and even with spikes on I had to cut several steps just to be extra safe when changing direction.
The great day had to come to an end and I was chased off the hill by the wind all the way down Coire Achaladair