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A Perfect Winter's Day for Meall a' Bhuiridh and Creise

A Perfect Winter's Day for Meall a' Bhuiridh and Creise


Postby philiarana » Mon Nov 23, 2015 3:15 pm

Route description: Creise and Meall a'Bhùiridh from the Ski centre

Munros included on this walk: Creise, Meall a' Bhùiridh

Date walked: 22/11/2015

Time taken: 7 hours

Distance: 10.5 km

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We left Stirling at 7am, which meant we got to Glencoe at 9am. It was clear, crisp and cold and the late Autumn/Winter colours were at their best.
2015-11-22 10.18.27 1.jpg
Glencoe Ski Centre

We started up the path leading up from behind the Ski Centre and followed it underneath the ski lift.
2015-11-22 10.23.50 2.jpg
Starting up the path

The path was quite icy in places, so it was slow going, but as we got higher we were rewarded with some stunning views over Rannoch Moor. There was incredible contrast between the orange/brown of the moor and the white snow capped peaks and blue sky.
2015-11-22 10.39.15 3.jpg

Schiehallion was unmistakable with it's cone shaped peak.
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Schiehallion

At the building belonging to the ski centre, we took a right and followed the path avoiding the peaty/boggy area before starting out ascent up the shoulder of Meall a' Bhuiridh.
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Buachaille Etive More and Ben Nevis

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Ben Nevis

This part was less icy until we got to steeper ground, when we decided to put on the crampons. We met a guy who was walking on his own, so he joined us for the rest of the walk.
2015-11-22 11.22.12 9.jpg

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We got to the summit of Meall a' Bhuiridh at about 11:30am. There was a slight breeze, but it was bathed in sunshine and there were amazing 360 degree views.
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View of Creise from the summit of Meall a' Bhuiridh

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View back from toward the Ski Centre

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Buachaille Etive Mor and Ben Nevis

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View to the south east from Meall a' Bhuiridh

We stopped off here for a snack before heading off to the second munro of the day, Creise. We still had our crampons on as were started off down the ridge, but soon found that it would be better without then, as the snow was soft and it was very rocky in between.
2015-11-22 13.06.27 15.jpg
Ridge between Meall a' Bhuiridh and Creise

As we started ascending the other side, the snow became a bit firmer. There were a few tricky sections, but we all got up without too much difficulty.
2015-11-22 13.33.10 15.jpg
Looking back down the ridge and Meall a' Bhuiridh

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Proof I was there

From here, there was an easy ridge walk along to the summit of Creise, which we reached at about 2pm.
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The easy ridge to the summit of Creise

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Stob a' Ghlais Choire and Meall a' Bhuiridh

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Meall a' Bhuiridh and the ridge seen from the summit of Creise

We had some lunch in the cold sun.
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lunchtime with a view

We retraced our steps back along the ridge. Before descending, I put my crampons back on. It was difficult to know whether they were to be a hindrance or a help, as the conditions underfoot we so different from one step to the next. The tricky sections on the way up were even more tricky on the way down, but we took it slowly. I kept my crampons on going up the section to the top of Meall a' Bhuiridh, more because I knew I'd need then for the descent after that and I didn't want to take them off just to put them back on again!
2015-11-22 16.35.23 23.jpg
afternoon light on the descent

As we descended the hill, the afternoon sun bathed everything in a golden light. Instead of following the path around, we cut across through the peat bog. It was mostly frozen and we only broke through in a few places.
the last part of the walk under the ski lift was once again slow due to the icy path -even more treacherous on descent. We mostly tried to stick to the edge of the path and made it down with only a few minor slips. We were down just before 4pm.
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philiarana
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Re: A Perfect Winter's Day for Meall a' Bhuiridh and Creise

Postby Silverhill » Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:04 pm

These are two great hills. :D The views are fantastic and the ridge from Meall a’ Bhuiridh towards Creise is good fun. You really had a perfect day for them. I love the pictures !
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Re: A Perfect Winter's Day for Meall a' Bhuiridh and Creise

Postby Alteknacker » Tue Nov 24, 2015 1:18 am

Looks like it was a pretty well perfect day!
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