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With 6.5h hours of daylight to play with, walking at any time around Winter Solstice can be a challenge. I always loved Winter Solstice, not because I am particular keen on short days, but because it marks the time, when days will get longer again and months and months of summer walking lays ahead
I arrived at the Beinglas Farm in Inverarnen and parked my car on the empty car park. Leaving my waterproof jacket in my backpack was a mistake, as as soon as I set my boot on vertical ground it started raining
With my full gear on, I was sweating in no time on the steep walk up. The waterfall looked pretty amazing and while snapping away with my camera, a few sheep looked at me suspiciously.
The way up
Looking suspiciously
Grey mares tail fall
Another one further up
Looking back
The path, which was more river than path, did not got any better when I reached the top. Looking around, the countryside flattened out a bit and continuing alongside Ben Glas Burn, the path (a dream of mud, bog and puddles) did its best to make the walk as hard going as possible.
Ahead snowy Beinn Chabhair could be seen in the distance and by the time it stopped raining the sunlight drenched the countryside in lovely reddish colours.
Snowy Beinn Chabhair ahead
What a change after the sun poked out of the clouds! Looking back towards Inverarnan.
The higher I walked the colder and windier it got and I was soon glad for all the layers I was wearing. Looking around not a single soul could be seen and even though solitude bog walking probably won't make it to the top 10 activities in the UK, I felt that I owned the mountain. A good 2h after setting off, I finally set eyes on Lochan Beinn Chabhair and stepped through the first snow patches.
The Lochan
On the way up, looking back towards the loch
Looking around I was unaware of any path up hill and looking around for an alternative way, I decided to follow a unnamed burn to my left. Which each step the snow got thicker and even though it was steep, it was a pleasant route. Soon I could only see snow covered hills around me and the sun tried its best to break through the clouds ahead of me.
First part of my way up
Looking back with the wee burn to my right
Clouds are breaking
One last snow/hail shower
I climbed higher, still following the burn as a guidance until it disappeared under a thick cover of snow. The walk through the deep snow was hard going and I took frequent breaks, when suddenly the clouds parted and left a beautiful panorama of blue skies, dramatic clouds in the horizon and even sunshine...the times when you can't beat walking in the snow.
Looking back down the way I came up
Its clearing up
Me
I was glad when higher up the snow had frozen over and the walk got easier. There were still enough soft snow to walk on, but I could not pass the opportunity and put my crampons on
Close to the top the wind reached gale force and gripping my walking poles, I fought my way to the top. Barely able to stand up, I looked around and took some photos, but the wind was too strong to enjoy the top. Turning around with my hood pulled deep into my face, I returned the same way, until I reached a sheltered rock face. Time for lunch.
The top
View from the top
View from the top
The walk back down - frozen path is on the right
Sitting in the snow with beautiful views ahead I enjoyed my food and hot flask of coffee, but the temperatures did not let me linger too long. The sun created a dramatic panorama of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond in the distance and while tracing my steps back, I came across a group of 3 other walkers on their way up , the only ones for the rest of the day. I also managed to find the actual path, but after following it for a while I decided to go back down the path I came up, as it actually looked easier.
Me
Towards Loch Lomond
Ben Lomond
View on my way back (zoomed in)
Back down looking back
The boggy path again
The waterfall at twilight
Back at my car shortly after sunset I looked back up at the waterfall, smiling as very soon the days would get longer and a new year full of hill walks was laying ahead.
Merry Christmas everyone