From powdered snow to slushpuppie on An Teallach's bypass
Posted: Sun May 07, 2017 10:45 am
S, the nice bloke from Badrallach's campsite came up to our tent and asked us how An Teallach had been. We admitted to having failed on climbing chockstone gully, (https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=71974) showed him some pictures and some short film shots, and said we'd be doing it again, but this time by the more conservative route. He frowned, as if to say: An Teallach has no conservative route, it is a demanding outing now matter how you do it.
Two early mornings later, same campsite, I spoke to Dave, a friendly gentleman who told me he was going to attempt An Teallach that day. I replied by saying we would meet on one of the summits then, and the mrs and I drove off to the parkingplace at Corriehallie.
From there we followed the track towards Shenavall bothy. By the time we were out of the forest, near Coire Chaorachain, we were overtaken by Dave, who at 60 years of age seemed (and later on proved) to be of greater fitness than the both of us.
We started talking and by the time we had reached the slopes of Sail Liath, we were having a good time and a good conversation. Our party of two was strengthened by Dave, who had 201 Munros to his name. Good for us with only 2 to our names.
On the slopes of Sail Liath, we soon discovered that the powdered snow we experienced two days ago had turned into wet and slippery snow. Add some lemonade and you'd have a slush puppie. This snow made the going tough and we'd be mostly rockhopping to avoid it.
Bits of blue sky were scarce but the views were mostly good up till now.
All the snow we met till now was of slushpuppie quality. We agreed on seeing what it looks like on Corrag Bhuidhe, but chances where we weren't up for going over the pinnacles.
By this time we decided the snow was of such poor quality that we'd exclude the pinnacles and take the bypass path. Wether that was a smart move or not I don't know. The very steep bypass path in watery snow might have been equally dangerous as taking the pinnacles. Who's to say. Frankly, it was quite scary at times with no grip whatsoever but a deep drop at your left.
While following the bypasspath more and more clouds rolled in.
We'd thought about shortening the outing by taking the way out via Glas Tholl instead of taking the path towards Dundonnell Hotel. After a peek to see wether that was a reasonable option we decided to give it a go. The path was steep at first and very eroded, but still it was good going. By the time we'd reached more level grounds it again became very boggy. I don't know if the way out towards Dundonnell Hotel is as boggy as this one, but I'd advise this route only after a dry spell. It was a long slog through mud, but with views on the crags of Glas Mheall Liath to make up for that. Nevertheless a tiring end to a beautiful day.
After the walk, there was no time for a drink together, but Dave and I did exchange emailadresses. I hope to receive some of his photos as well, which I'll be posting in the replies.
Two early mornings later, same campsite, I spoke to Dave, a friendly gentleman who told me he was going to attempt An Teallach that day. I replied by saying we would meet on one of the summits then, and the mrs and I drove off to the parkingplace at Corriehallie.
From there we followed the track towards Shenavall bothy. By the time we were out of the forest, near Coire Chaorachain, we were overtaken by Dave, who at 60 years of age seemed (and later on proved) to be of greater fitness than the both of us.
We started talking and by the time we had reached the slopes of Sail Liath, we were having a good time and a good conversation. Our party of two was strengthened by Dave, who had 201 Munros to his name. Good for us with only 2 to our names.
On the slopes of Sail Liath, we soon discovered that the powdered snow we experienced two days ago had turned into wet and slippery snow. Add some lemonade and you'd have a slush puppie. This snow made the going tough and we'd be mostly rockhopping to avoid it.
Bits of blue sky were scarce but the views were mostly good up till now.
All the snow we met till now was of slushpuppie quality. We agreed on seeing what it looks like on Corrag Bhuidhe, but chances where we weren't up for going over the pinnacles.
By this time we decided the snow was of such poor quality that we'd exclude the pinnacles and take the bypass path. Wether that was a smart move or not I don't know. The very steep bypass path in watery snow might have been equally dangerous as taking the pinnacles. Who's to say. Frankly, it was quite scary at times with no grip whatsoever but a deep drop at your left.
While following the bypasspath more and more clouds rolled in.
We'd thought about shortening the outing by taking the way out via Glas Tholl instead of taking the path towards Dundonnell Hotel. After a peek to see wether that was a reasonable option we decided to give it a go. The path was steep at first and very eroded, but still it was good going. By the time we'd reached more level grounds it again became very boggy. I don't know if the way out towards Dundonnell Hotel is as boggy as this one, but I'd advise this route only after a dry spell. It was a long slog through mud, but with views on the crags of Glas Mheall Liath to make up for that. Nevertheless a tiring end to a beautiful day.
After the walk, there was no time for a drink together, but Dave and I did exchange emailadresses. I hope to receive some of his photos as well, which I'll be posting in the replies.