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Set off nice and early for Glen Coe to make the most of the proposed decent weather, the 2 Munro's of Beinn a' Bhethir my choice for today. As the WH route for these mentions boggy wet ground, i decided to take the route from South Ballachulish and make direct for the bealach between them.
- Looks like i'm on the right track.
I followed the track for a couple of miles, until i came to a little cairn marking the path up through the trees.
- Rocky outcrop on Coire Sgreamach.
I exited the trees and made for the fence line, where there is a sort of path.
- Ridge leading up to Sgorr Dhonuill.
The snow in the valley was fairly soft as it was quite warm and calm in here; that was to change at the bealach
- The route to the bealach.
- Looking back.
As height was gained, under foot conditions became a bit icy, so i stopped to put on my spikes. While doing this a really strong gust of wind shot down the glen, blowing my pack, gloves and map back down where i had just climbed
I retrieved my pack and gloves but the map was gone
A bit miffed, i continued on to the bealach, where the wind appeared with surprising ferocity.
- From the bealach.
- Sgorr Dhearg from the bealach.
As Sgorr Dhearg was cloud covered, i headed up Sgorr Dhonuill first. This is a straightforward climb, only made difficult by the wind. Strangely, it wasn't cold, but it's strength was something i hadn't experienced in a long time.
- Sgorr Dhonuill.
I pushed on and soon reached the summit, where, weirdly, the wind disappeared!!!
- Nearly there!!
- Sgorr Dhonuill summit.
- Coire Dearg ridge from Sgorr Dhonuill.
After a bit of a respite from the wind, i headed back down to the bealach, to begin the ascent of Sgorr Dhearg.
- Sgorr Dhearg clear of cloud now.
Had a chat with 3 walkers near the bealach, who said the wind up and on Sgorr Dhearg was worse than Dhonuill
They weren't wrong. The ascent here felt twice as long as the constant buffeting was intense.
- Looking to Sgorr Dhonuill and it's ridge.
- Fraochaidh.
- Bidean.
I finally reached the summit where i danced a bit to keep my footing while trying to take a pic of the cairn
- Sgorr Dhearg summit.
- Across to Sgorr Dhonuill.
It was a lot quicker going down than up, with the wind ably assisting, and all that was left was to follow my route up and make for the car.
- The ridge to Dhonuill reminded me of Striding Edge.
- The Pap from South Ballachulish.