free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I had read the emotional story by Tall Story from back in March when he was lucky to escape with his life when a cornice he was standing on collapsed. Tragically their dog Fern was caught on the collapse and was taken down the corrie.
I had contacted Tall Story with an offer to go look, and although deep down you know it will be for location or recovery, I walked into the Fannichs yesterday thinking that miracles can happen, I may just find her. I even took a lead !
Besides, anyone who has ever owned a dog will understand.
The forecast for Saturday was good, well as good as it gets of late, at least until the afternoon when rain was forecast, so it was 0545hrs when I walked in to Loch a Bhraoin and headed up the good path then left to ascend to the bealach between Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr nan Each.
Cloud hung over the summits on the way in but was clear of the tops by the time I got there.
I headed to the summit first to ascertain the point described by Tall Story in his report.
The first view of the corrie back from the summit cairn revealed the enormity of the snow field below the collapse.
I walked beyond the summit to assess how to tackle a search and it was clear from viewing this side that a descent from the top was going to carry considerable risk. I had left my axe in the car, thinking I wouldnt need it ! To be fair I wouldnt as clearly a search of the snowfield would be useless but it it mat have swayed me to descend the snowfield.
View from beyond the summit cairn
I had already sat before the summit and scanned the whole area from top to bottom with my binos but nothing, repeating the same from the far side.
I continued in descent of Clach Geala down its NW ridge and studied the corrie in detail and eventually found a spur that although very steep, offered the possibility of access to the corrie floor.
Decsending down to a group of large boulders just out of the picture below.
The pic shows my approx line of ascent from the corrie floor.
From the corrie floor the prospect of a climb up looked somewhat daunting but careful picking off each section I made progress up, covering as much of the intervening snow cleared ground as possible. Those areas I didnt actually tread were the clear rock slabs which were easier enough just to view. Soon I reached the large lower snowfield and covered its base.
By this point I was dubious about returning by my route of ascent and to be honest if anyone else is contemplating searching at some future date I would strongly advise taking a rope, helmet etc. as a slip here especially when above the slabs would not be good for ones health. The intervening ground is extremely soggy and loose.
As a result there was only one option and that was to continue up and out. criss crossing the slopes to find the easiest line with the occasional flatish spot for a break, I reached the base of the upper snowfield.
I traversed the length of the base of the snowfield in the small hope that Fern may be at the base but no joy, so headed back to the left hand side as the right was too tricky to ascend and also immediately above the aforementioned slabs and the second snowfield.
A brief pause whilst some walkers looked down wondering what the hell I was doing on this unconventional approach to the summit, I'd had the same thoughts !
Finally topping out just south of the summit and the snowfield.
The view back down to the corrie floor showing my route of ascent.
The weather held, thankfully, for the duration, and some views were to be had.
Summit and An Teallach beyond
Sgurr Breac and A Chaillach with Fisherfield beyond
Pano of Sgurr Breac, A Chaillach, with from left to right Torridon (Beinn Eighe), Slioch, Fisherfield centre and An Teallach.
Given the lack of snow on most of the mountains, the amount still held in the corrie came as a blow, as Fern is likely beneath.
Hopefully, whilst my search revealed no joy or closure it will serve to give an idea for future trips. The volume of snow still held suggest to me that any future trip into the corrie would be fruitless until at least August, assuming temperatures at this height rise considerably.
The temperature yesterday I would guess was close to freezing in the wind, I had my windproof fleece on from start to finish.
I left the summit, unhappy, and descended the col before Meall a Chrasgaidh as other walkers headed up. The forecast was correct as the last mile back to the car was in full waterproofs and my last look back into the Fannichs I could see no summits.
