Beinn Ime winter wonderland

[BigT]

I think just a short report on today. I manged to get out of bed on time which seen me start the walk 30 mins before sunrise (finally). i made use of this time to relax on the summit and take extra photos. My route was again the longer walk in past the Cobbler and this time across to the Beinn Ime gate. Then I just followed a close approximation of the path. White stuff was everywhere, and generally soft, I kept the microspikes on today for the ascent to see how that worked out. They turned out fine, allowing me to follow the stepped ice path, and providing a bit of bite on the snow, especially higher up on the packed flatter section running up to the peaks. It really was glorious beginning to end. A close call nearly seen me pop through the snow and ice into the stream, and I had my obligatory fall moment on the descent when a boggy bit tricked me into putting my foot down. It was quite warm today up to about 900 (ish) m. kept the crampons in the bag, did use the ice axe on the descent for balance. Walked out the same way, changing out the spikes at Narnain Boulders.

Early start - just getting above the fog on loch long.


First view of Beinn Ime


Ben Donich from the Beinn Ime gate


Cobbler, The Brack, Ben Donich from the slopes of Ime


in the white stuff proper, the steeper bit, still soft, mostly stepping through it, occasionally biting. over the brow it packs down more


Awesome walk up to the peaks



Looking across to Beinn Narnain


Over the first peak, looking back to it and its eastern face just before tackling the summit


At the summit


Summit views










Selfie, with tongue stuck out


Walking down, the exit route between Narnain and Cobbler


It was very special up there today. I don't really have the words for it.

[SAVAGEALICE]

looks lovely ...enough of the white stuff to look stunning without been too deep and exhausting to walk in

[tina bonar]

Cracking day we got today wasn't it? We met as you came down Ime and we were heading up just after dinnertime.The cloud had rolled in by the time we got to the top but was surprised to make it up in just a tshirt and fleece. You got some great photos too

[BigT]

Cracking day we got today wasn't it? We met as you came down Ime and we were heading up just after dinnertime.The cloud had rolled in by the time we got to the top but was surprised to make it up in just a tshirt and fleece. You got some great photos too

Thanks, quick-fire point and click from me, but I like it that way

Glad you got to the top - when it clouds over it just gives us all a reason to do a hill again

The weather was very kind yesterday - much warmer than Tuesday when my hydration bladder froze at 900m on Beinn Narnain.

[BigT]

looks lovely ...enough of the white stuff to look stunning without been too deep and exhausting to walk in

It was easier sticking to the ice yesterday during the "frozen bog slope" first half of ascent after the gate. after that it was a bit of graft at times in the snow, my calf muscles are like bricks today.

[Collaciotach]

Nice pictures a bhalaich

[dooterbang]

The ever changing weather: two weeks ago I was up here and snow was plentiful then last week it had gone, and now it's back!

Looked a great day - well done.

I did Luibhean and Ime from Butterbridge last week, a nice route too.

[BigT]

The ever changing weather: two weeks ago I was up here and snow was plentiful then last week it had gone, and now it's back!

Looked a great day - well done.

I did Luibhean and Ime from Butterbridge last week, a nice route too.

Cheers, it was the photos from your run up Beinn Narnain a few weeks that sealed the deal with me committing to walking in winter conditions underfoot. So one set of crampons, an ice axe and some microspikes later, thanks

[GavLindsay]

Nice pics mate.. me and a few mates went up on sunday morning.. started walking at 3am to get to the summit for sunrise.. walking in the dark was gd fun haha, no doubt it was your footprints thats were helping us stay on track lol!