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The Wee Guy wanted to settle his score with Beinn Ime
, so we chose a shorter but direct route from Butter Bridge. The forecast was good apart from some possible cloud around midday, so up early and away we went. Arriving at the car park at around 8.15, we were soon kitted up and walking by 8.30.
- Here we go
- Spring has sprung....apparently!
There were three ice climbers in front of us and Kyle was keen to know what they were up to and where they were going. I am sure it was all the shiny pieces of equipment they had strapped to themselves which made him more interested.
I managed to convince him that he had to get another couple of years under his belt before mum would let him go ice climbing.
The route was quite simple; we followed the Allt Beinn Ime straight up to the Glas Bhealach, turned south and headed straight for the summit. It was steep and direct but good fun, we used the crampons and ice axes on the steep bits which Kyle loved, all good experience for him. Four guys passed us on the way up the initial slopes just prior to the Glas Bhealach, worth pointing out that the cloud had now descended and visibility was about 20 metres.
- View back to Butter Bridge
- Brew time
We chatted about where they were heading and it seemed we all had the same plan….strangely they headed off in a north easterly direction. I shouted out to them but they seemed content with their navigation.
- Ice Climber Kyle
I showed Kyle the map and compass and explained my concerns about the guys choice of direction, still we tried! We hit the summit after about 3hrs, amazing feelings of joy on this one as it was the “Wee Guy’s” 30th Munro summit in a little under a year.
- Munro number 30!
He was very chuffed as you would expect. We had our lunch and talked to a few people on the summit that had come up from the other side (Beinn Narnain); it sounded a little less steep or as Kyle said “boring”! It was here that two of the four guys I mentioned earlier turned up, they said they had been on a “diversion”, two of the guys where still nowhere to be seen which was a little worrying. The thought they had got lost in the clouds. We asked if they wanted us to help try and find them but they insisted no, so we said our goodbyes and left. Not heard anything on the news, so fingers crossed they all got off ok.
- A bit murky
As we left the summit we headed straight down to the Bealach a Mhargaidh, then simply followed the burns in a north westerly direction back to the starting point. It was a great descent route, massive snowfield most of the way down, very safe and easy walking or should I say sliding / skiing, great fun.
- Kyle practising his self arrest techniques
- Descent route in the background
- Typical, cloud clearing!
We were back at the car at 2.30 exactly, another amazing day.
- Mission accomplished, bring on the next one!
Memory generating overload as ever and I did feel very proud as I got to the car park and people asked Kyle how many Munro’s he had done.
