A lot of rain overnight on Friday was- i suspected - going to be translated onto snow on the hills. This caused a bit of a rethink on routes - I'd originally intended to go up Meall nan Dearcag and along the ridge up to Sron a'Choire Ghairbh but that would involve rougher terrain and more ascent/descent. Also, JacH had asked if she could join us on the walk and it seemed cruel to subject other walkers to the pursuit of Simms, so the standard approach up the track was opted for. Forecast for the day was for episodic snow showers, which is what we got. Off reasonably early (for a meet) with snow-gear packed just in case. Walk up from Kilfinnan was pleasant enough - some attempts seem to have been made to repair erosion on the track up to the bealach (or maybe I've just got used to walking on much more eroded tracks in the few years since we first did these hills). We decided on Sron a'Choire Ghairbh first, trying (and just failing) to get to the summit before the black clouds dumped their load of snow on us and the visibility fell. We took some shelter on the lower reaches of the zigzag path to have lunch before setting off up Meall na Teanga.
track to the bealach


Meall Dubh (L) and Teanga

Ben Tee

Teanga

The ridge that we'd originally intended to come up

JacH and Allison summit Sron a'Choire Ghairbh

I was particularly keen to get a view from the top of this one and kept fingers crossed for the clouds to be kind to us. They were - and the views were worth the hype. At this point there was a choice - I intended to go on to the Simmof Meall Coire Lochain, just south from the summit, then take in Meall Dubh on the descent from Teanga. JacH opted to return (not surprising after having had a long drive up, only arriving at the Hostel at 2am the night before) Allison went off with her, leaving me to enjoy a worthwhile climb up to the top of Lochain (for more fine views) then a more laboured ascent of 130m or so up to Meall Dubh. Unfortunately the weather had closed in somewhat by that time but i'd say both of these extra summits have their virtues. Back along the track, meeting a couple of teens pushing bikes up - I really don't know where they were going at almost 3pm, with scant clothing - hope they hadn't mistaken the track for the Great Glen Way.
Meall Dubh from Teanga

Teanga

Towards Lochain


Teanga from Lochain

Teanga from Dubh

Dubh


An enjoyable evening followed with the usual quiz and overindulgence in food and drink.




Sunday morning found me feeling OK and Allison somewhat fragile. We said our farewells and headed off to Loch Quoich where we planned to attempt Mhaoraich (not before having to return for Allison's boots which were still in the drying room

Loch Quoich

Gairich





Mhaoraich

Gleouraich

We stopped for lunch at 12.30 and it took a further two hours to get to the Munro summit. This gave me a bit of a shake up - last time I'd done this route it had taken me less than 3 hours in total. we needed to get a crack on if we were not going to be coming down in the dark. I pressed on, urgency making the body's complaints less pressing - we got to the Munro Top in 10 minutes or so. There was now a choice to make - i had a route on my GPS that went down the southern shoulder of Mhaoraich but we had yesterday's paper map with us which wasn't particularly helpful. In poor visibility it was maybe preferable to go back the way we'd come, despite more ascent. We elected to do this and had some fine views of the sun coming down over Sgurr na Ciche and friends.


South Shiel Ridge

Summit Mhaoraich

Mhaoraich Beag


Loch Arkaig hills



Gleouraich


Spindrift on Sgurr Mor




We got back to the car just before 5, with the darkness just about to descend. It would have been fine to pitch the tent, have a sleep and another day in these hills tomorrow, but sadly that wasn't going to happen. A four hour drive back home in the dark and hopes that the weather is going to be similar next weekend will have to do.