So with the unkowns as in what quantity of fresh snow has fallen and lack of hill time a short walk was planed
Suprising that after a clear, full moon night there was not a frost and the temp was above freezing.
Myself, Ian and Jake the dug, Steve and Neil arrived at the Auhtertyre car park at 7.30 and walking by 7.45. First obstacle was negotiating the slurry pit of a road next to a cow feeding station, good job my gaiters were tight. Then into a field of brown sheep, we found one white one and that was because its head was stuck in the bars of feeding station.
That was one very nervous ewe as the two Crieff country boys approached on either side.
- Stuck ewe
- Cam Creag & Stob Glas
- Beinn Odhar
We followed the track as far as the old shielings then cut off up the hill early as a flock of sheep were gathered on the track. As we approached them they would run for 20m then stop and stare at us then run on again, so we did the manly thing and took to the snowy hillside early. Wasn't so manly after 15 minuets of wheezing lungs, creaking limbs and belaboured muscles when we came level with the track again. Note to self - must try that Gym thing I've heard people talking about.
- Strath Fillan and Fiarach
- Neil, Steve and Ian
- Add me and Jake
The snow level was down at 250m, quite dry but soft, so a mixture of sinking through it into the tussock grass or into deeper snow pockets. It did not really firm up till about the 700m level, until then it was hop-along breaking through the windblown crust. Quite deep really, as following the fence line only the top 100 - 150 mm of the posts were visible.
A good stiff breeze was blowing into us on the way up which gradually increased with height. We stopped to layer up before clearing the ridge, good job as it was blowing a hooley on top. Took 2.5 hours to top out, stopped long enough for the photos and to look longingly at the cloud shrouded tops around us - come on clear, give us a view.
- Ian & Jake at the very drafty top
- Hang on to the rug kev
Much easier going down with the wind at our backs, it became a bit of a dawdle and then the sun came out.
- Is that the sun?
- Starting to clear
- Beinn Odhar
- We going back up then?
Managed a few photos of the surrounding hills and to chat to a group of four on their way up.
- Beinn Challum being coy
- There she is
- Ben Oss and Glen Cononish
- South to An Caisteal & Cruach Ardrain
- Beinn Dubhchraig
Back to the car at 12.15, four and a half hours - no records broken but enough to remember what those dangly things off the hips are for.
