Stob Coire Sgriodain

[litljortindan]

Forecast of overnight frost and icy road had me holding off departure until 5am to allow for a bit of a thaw. That seemed to work a treat. That said, it felt like the middle of January driving through sleet and snow between Turriff and Aviemore.
Got there eventually though (8.45am) and got glorious views down Loch Laggan en route. The road to Fersit is also a a bit of a gem, winding its way by and crossing two streams, running past a lochan and finally halting at the large turning area.
A deer stood in the middle of the road in Fersit, not seeming to know whether to approach me or flee but eventually electing the latter course of action. Keeping righ at all junctions, as suggested by WH, saw me through the farm gate and onto a track over the open moor.
My plan was to stay well east of the nose, following the course of the main stream running down from Lochan Coire an Lochain and then cutting west about 0.5km north of the Lochan. Exuberance got the better of me though and I set off for the east slope of the nose.
Started off ok but the steps I thought I could make out in the snow were in fact the tracks of snow slabs that had broken off. Worse, I found myself on ground that was steep, boulder strewn and cover in soft, collapsing snow.
I determined then to traverse onto more heathery ground where I could at least see where I was putting my feet. Couldn't really contour round too far though as I ran into a slope that forced me upwards. That was a little uncomfortable for a while but eventually got up onto the nose ridge and found some great pre-kicked steps to follow through the now harder snow. This really made life easy for most of the rest of the way though, interestingly, the steps over the last 100m of ascent had filled in with fresh snowfall.
Reached the summit ridge with its astonishing views down and across Loch Treig and spent a happy forty five minutes dawdling about there. Even got the train tooting its horn but couldn't spot it -maybe at Fersit and out of sight.
On the way down I tried my planned ascent route as a descent route and this was almost perfect -just one wee mishap near the bottom as I sank into some snow obscured crevice. Got quickly onto a path beside the main stream and followed paths and tracks all the way back. All in all, in fact, not very boggy at all.


aiming for the low point on the horizon I followed this lively, cascading stream


cutting off onto the nose from the east way too early I found myself on tricky ground


soft snow collapsing between boulders wasn't that much fun so stayed on the heather early on


temporarily onto easier ground


but eventually forced back onto the rocks on the right


then up onto the nose ridge


thank you, whoever kicked these steps up through the harder snow -made life easy


first sight of one of the Stobs the other side of Loch Treig


Creag Meagaidh to the north east


looking south east to Chno Dearg


onto the summit ridge










zoom down Loch Treig -railway cutting climbing to 380m contour
















zoom to Glencoe
















my inside out hat


what had been my planned really easy ascent route turned out to be a really easy descent route thanks to the firm enough snow




following a different stream down -this one a little further west


quite a decent path and the whole walk not very boggy at all


more nice cascades on the way down


time for a walk round Fyvie Castle grounds when I got home

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[Silverhill]

For some reason I had difficulties avoiding the steep ground on this hill as well. It was like a magnet. It is clear that you very much enjoyed the views towards Loch Treig . And rightly so because they are great!

[litljortindan]

For some reason I had difficulties avoiding the steep ground on this hill as well. It was like a magnet. It is clear that you very much enjoyed the views towards Loch Treig . And rightly so because they are great!

Yes, went a bit click happy at the top and indeed it is a great view from there but a lot more to the hill than just the top bit; really enjoyed the babbling burns on the ways up and down.

[rockhopper]

That did look steep at times but worth the effort - great views down Loch Treig - cheers

[litljortindan]

That did look steep at times but worth the effort - great views down Loch Treig - cheers

Yes, quite a good test for my back which seems to be taking on a new lease of life now.

[Huff_n_Puff]

Lovely pics, you had about the same snow cover as we did when we were up there last year - in March. Beautiful area and glad to hear the back's improving.

[litljortindan]

Lovely pics, you had about the same snow cover as we did when we were up there last year - in March. Beautiful area and glad to hear the back's improving.

Ah but you got the sun and the cloud shadow on the loch so later in the day maybe better for photos. I note Bertie and Biggles looking suitably affronted by virtue of their leads still being on at the start of your walk there!