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At last planets came into alignment once more, as Jimbo and Big Jesper had same days off and the forecast showed promise for decent enough day to have a look at another pair of Munro's, if the fitness was up to it
Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Teallach, just about fitted the bill, though snow conditions would be a variable. Five o'clock start came as a bit of a shock to the system, but alas, looks more and more likely. Uneventful trip up round Glencoe, aside from usual frustrations when one is rushing for the hills, i.e, it's cold, therefor I am not going to go faster than 40mph, even if the road is clean and dry!
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- Early morning sun on the Easians.
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- Early peak at Stob Ban and Stob Choire Claurigh, Grey Corries.
Anyway, we were on our way from Roughburn, just the back of 8 o'clock. Sun was coming up and surrounding hills looking good. Enthusiasm was high! We chose to stick to the forest road. Path up side of river doesn't look to hold much appeal, to be honest. Didn't have much trouble, turning right, then left at a junction, then a short distance along to small cairn on the right, where one heads into the woods a short distance, before emerging at style and onto the hill, for real.
We were almost into snow straight away, as Big Jasper set out to break me in (down!), with a brisk pace. Unfortunately, my gearbox, has only one speed, so dead-slow ahead, it was for me.
Gradually the views south began to open up and I was only too keen, to stop and turn round, for another photo, or two of the Easians, Grey Corris, Loch Trieg and Aonach's. Amazing vista today.
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- Excellent view of the Grey Corries and Aonach's, from higher up.
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- Stob Ban and eastern Mamores, behind.
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- Aonach's and Grey Corries.
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- Loch Trieg. Meall a'Bhuiridh and Creise, Glencoe behind.
Before too long we seemed to be working our way over Meall Clachaig, although perhaps a bit east of the line on WH's, leaving us facing a more frontal approach up Coire Clachaig. Charles, not being one for hesitation, quickly opted for the "straight at it" option and to be honest, although deep in snow, didn't look too steep, high, or daunting a prospect. The next 400m, or so of ascent, however was to prove a big reality check. Too much Christmas pudding and beer, still being carried up the hills lads
Although some of the snow was firm and holding, much of it was deep, dry and a big struggle to make progress! Just when we thought we had smooth line of approach, we would soon find ourselves ploughing uphill and needing to stop for another breather - and photo's
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- Coire Clachaig. "Straight at it," says he.
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- Looks steeper now :(
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- Vista to the south. Chno Dearg, Stob Coire Sgriodain, Loch Trieg, the Easians, Mamores, Grey Corries, Aonach's , among others.
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- Westward.
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- And a bit northwestward - ?Sgurr na Ciche?
Anyway, eventually and after a few inner thoughts of whether I'd make it, or only manage this hill, we made it to the south top. I think this was over two and a half hours in? Fortunately, from here the gradient eases, though by now the legs were like jelly. The top could be seen in the distance, with the steep sides of the corries and cornicing only too visible, so we kept well clear of the edge. In poor visibility, it would be easy to see how one could come to grief. By now the views south, were only enhanced by further outlook to the hill of Knoydart in the west and Creag Meagaidh, to the east. Marvellous!
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- Made it .... to the South Top.
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- Quick way down.
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- The Styg?
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- Looking back to north top.
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- Yay! Summit!
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- Yours truly, towards north top.
We soon made the summit, then north top, though didn't stop too long as there was a stiff, cold wind, blasting up our flue, so any time with gloves off, was soon regretted.
The descent from the north top, was relatively straight forward, aside from an icy layer under the snow, which sometimes gave support, sometimes sank through knee deep, or higher and sometimes resulted in slide and stumble on one's botty. By now Beinn Teallach, which had hardly been noticeable, was now beginning to resemble a mountain, as the loss of height, made it rise upwards, over to our left.
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- Beainn Teallach starting to emerge as a mountain.
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- Another look west. Identify any?
At last we made it down to the bealach and a spot out the wind, to get a much needed bite and drink. I think we were over four hours to this point. Despite the relative ease of our descent, I can't say I was filled with confidence at the prospect of taking on Beinn Teallach, but at least the gradient looked more to my liking. It was still a struggle, but perhaps boosted by the refuelling, was much easier progress, except as the wind worsened as a nasty squall sailed by, to the south. Over to the east we could see a line of four walkers, following behind, on Beinn a'Chaorrain and felt quite relieved we were this far round. At least they would have the advantage of following in our tracks - if they were daft enough
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- Windy summit of Beinn Teallach.
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- Squall moving in.
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- On ascent, Beinn Teallach.
I think we were an hour or o, to the top, but again didn't wait long, due to the biting wind. The long, gradual decent
south was welcome, but still filled with deep snow holes, so much so, that we managed a synchronised dive on our faces, with perfect co-ordination 10/10
As described, further down is a right bog-fest, but thankfully snow and frost helped mitigate the mush.
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- Time to head for home :)
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- Loch Trieg through the spindrift.
We found a relatively easy spot to cross the Allt a'Chaorrain, just past a clump of trees and from there, worked our way round to the forest and joined the track, back to the car. We must have made good progress as the clock showed six and a quarter hours, which had seemed unlikely as we struggled towards the first top. A good hike, with more than a little of heaven ..... and hell!
