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Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 1:24 pm
by bootsandpaddles
I had already done this hill in summer (see previous report) and thought it might make a good winter excursion. I was not wrong! :clap: One of the big advantages of the cold weather was that the boggy sections were nowhere near as bad. There was ice on the path from the start of the ridge but it could be avoided until we reached some cliffs at about NN 223084 where we felt it prudent to put on our crampons. We skirted the crags on their north east side on steepish snow and ice to reach a short plateau section. In the summer I had stuck to the main ridge but it looked a bit daunting :problem: so we again chose a north east approach across the slopes of a corrie.
north east face beinn an lochain.jpg
There was evidence of some small avalanches but the snow seemed relatively stable so we proceeded with caution. :shifty: We continued up between some rocks and boulders onto the summit ridge. We reckoned it was the equivalent of a Grade 1 winter route in places. After gaining the summit we descended via the south summit
from the south summit.jpg
and had some lunch.
lunch.jpg
icicles.jpg
We decided to make the most of the excellent conditions and continue on to Beinn an t- Seilich.
beinn an lochain from south.jpg
The descent to the burn between the two hills afforded some very good bumsliding! :thumbup:
descending from beinn an lochain.jpg
It was a bit of a slog up the ridge but then easier going to the summit where we had lunch again. I often think our walks in the hills are just an excuse to eat lots of cheese sandwiches – and we still have Christmas cake left, very good hill food. From Beinn an t-Seilich we continued west to a bealach and then down over steep tussocky ground to join the A815 at its junction with the A83. It was then a long walk back to the car near Loch Restil. As we trudged along a rescue helicopter circled Beinn an Lochain several times and finally someone was winched down and back up again at around the spot where we had first put on our crampons.
helciopter over beinn an lochain.jpg
We were too far away to make out what was going on though. Hope nobody had fallen down that bit. The sun was setting as we reached the car so Katie got all artistic!
sunset.jpg

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:52 am
by Paul Webster
Like the photo framed by the icicles. I think Beinn an Lochain would be a bit steep for me in winter conditions :o

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 10:40 am
by kevsbald
As PW says, cracking pic with the icicles. I'm thinking of doing the Brack soon - hope I get similar conditions.

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:28 pm
by bootsandpaddles
kevsbald wrote:As PW says, cracking pic with the icicles. I'm thinking of doing the Brack soon - hope I get similar conditions.

The Brack was certainly well-covered with snow on Saturday. Enjoy!

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:12 am
by dougiemarks
Hi,

Yeah I was the guy who feel on Beinn an Lochain that day (thanks for the memento pic with the helicopter).

A pretty amazing story really, me and my walking buddies reckon I fell between 300-400ft. It wasn't on the summit, but on the second really icy bit on the way down. I just lost my footing, and over I went. I really thought I was about to die, definitely the most scary experience of my life. Somehow, I managed to get away with needing an operation in my left leg to correct my knee, a very painful back and head, and a weekend in the RAH in Paisley, but generally OK. Still can't quite believe it.

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:38 am
by Paul Webster
:o Phew, glad to hear you are ok Dougie. How's the knee doing now?

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:42 am
by Caberfeidh
dougiemarks wrote:an operation in my left leg to correct my knee


Paul Webster wrote:How's the knee doing now?


I could stop it ever hurting again.... :twisted: :wtf:

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:27 pm
by gaffr
Hello Dougiemarks, let us know when you can get back onto the hills again.....this is one of my missing summits.....I'm definately not going without my claws!

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:06 pm
by mountain coward
That accident sounds horribly painful - I hate anything to do with knees! Hope it's sorted now...

I love the below icicles pic too - and the arty one - lovely sky!

Re: Beinn an Lochain Take 2

PostPosted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:17 pm
by bootsandpaddles
dougiemarks wrote:Hi,

Yeah I was the guy who feel on Beinn an Lochain that day (thanks for the memento pic with the helicopter).

A pretty amazing story really, me and my walking buddies reckon I fell between 300-400ft. It wasn't on the summit, but on the second really icy bit on the way down. I just lost my footing, and over I went. I really thought I was about to die, definitely the most scary experience of my life. Somehow, I managed to get away with needing an operation in my left leg to correct my knee, a very painful back and head, and a weekend in the RAH in Paisley, but generally OK. Still can't quite believe it.


Glad you are OK now. That bit was quite icy. We had our crampons on to go up there.