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Set off from home at 5.15 heading up Loch Lomond the road was empty
Getting to Ardlui the first signs of daylight were showing in the sky
On reaching the track into Auchessen I looked at the temp in the car
and it was -6
it was -1 when I left home
But I had opted for these 2 as if I started out early I was hoping that the ground
through the bogs would be frozen over
No layering up just a long t-shirt and a fleece top ,jacket in the bag
So I set off over the bridge at 7 am at a good pace soon reaching the walk up along the Deer fence
and as I had hoped the ground was frozen solid
There was not a cloud in the sky and looking up Sgaith Chuil was showing over the moor
- Sgaith Chuil
Heading up the fenceline I could see why this route has some bad write ups
but I had no problems at all and I moved quickly upwards and soon reached the end of the deerfence
Looking over the Glen Ben More looked great
- Ben More and Cruach Ardrain
I crossed over the Allt Riobain about 400m below the dam and made a straight line for Sgaith Chrom
the snow was well consolidated and the ascent was easy even without getting the crampons out
stopping the look about made it a joy to be out in such glorious weather
- Ben Lui zoomed in simply awesome mountain
- Meall Glas
- Sgaith Chuil
Just over 2 hrs of leaving the car I was on the summit not a breath of wind and feeling great
I had the hills to myself could not see anyone else around
- Jake on Sgaith Chuil
- Ben Vorlich and Stuc a,Chroin
- Over towards the Lawers range
Photo break over I put the crampons on for a direct drop off Chuil down a very steep slope
to the bealach with Beinn Cheathaich it is a fair amount of height to lose
But the weather made up for this
Reaching down to Lairig a'Churain I quickly made the lowere slope of Beinn Cheathaich
and took a sit down for a cuppa and give jake a fews treats (well earned)
after 10 mins it was onwards on the ascent and again no crampons needed
just the trusty axe in the hand the ascent was nice steady pace and soon we were at the
Trig point on Beinn Cheathaich
- Jake at the trig on Beinn Cheathaich
Moving along over to Meall Glas the snow here was very soft and knee deep at some points
but nothing to impede the easy ascent to Meal Glas
- Ben Lui,Ben Oss & Ben Dubhcraig
Turning for home I noticed the wind in my face had turned warmer
the descent was straight forward enough down to the flat walk out
the ground was still nice and firm so no messy bogs again
lucky day
but walking along at one point I came to an unseen ditch covered in snow
and sods law one leg ended the full way in but thankfully it was dry
the going was rather pleasant and to top it off there is a new hydro road
from the fencline all the way to the farm now
- Hydro road
On reaching the car there was another vehicle parked up, but I had not seen
a soul all day ,and what a day Beautiful Blue skies again twice In a row now