Beaten back by the cold on Ben Vrackie
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:39 pm
Didn't complete this old favourite of mine as the wind chill was as severe as I've ever walked in (felt about -20) and having climbed it dozens of times over the years it was an easy decision to turn back at the wee lochain just before the steep bit. A few walkers were out and about and some persevered and headed for the summit.
Thought I'd throw up a few photos anyway.
Must say I was impressed that the council had cleared the car park at some stage so it was usable.
Weather was pretty mild at about 1 degree C at the car park.
Path was quite well walked and compacted so the microspikes got their first proper workout. Great on the consolidated snow and any icy bits.
The snow banking gave way when I was crossing this on the way back down and I took a tumble. Ended up lying on my back in the burn with the hurty-bum I got when I landed on the stones. Ouch.
Some drifting snow on the way up but this was the deepest drift we encountered and this was where the windchill really began to bite. There are some big boulders here and we stopped to get a bit of shelter and a cuppa. Made the decision to turn back.