Unfinished Business in Glencoe
Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 12:07 amBack in late November 2011 I embarked upon this route on a beautiful early winter's day although the snowline was above the floor of the glen as I recall. I've lost all photos from that day but i'd reached the top of Meall a'Bhuirid then descended without including Creise. The reason for this was that i'd only really started hillwalking earlier that year, only had about a dozen munros under my belt and didn't feel comfortable with my skills, experience or confidence for tackling the ridge to Creise in winter conditions. Simply put, I didn't really know what I was doing.
Fast forward then to the weekend just past. I'd enjoyed a stroll up Arthur's Seat in the capital on Saturday and arrived home to Sunday's forecast. It was definitely going to be a hill day and I decided it was time to revisit the ski centre and finish what i'd started six years ago.
The bitterly cold temperatures enforced a very careful drive West, the car was telling me it was -8C outside.
Untitled by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
The car park was abuzz with activity as skiers congregated in anticipation of a day on the slopes, and judging by the exotic smell of some of their cigarettes it would be quite an experience
The initial path is well signposted and weaves its way up around the ski-lift pillars. The icicles hanging over the burn bore testament to the freezing conditions, and as height was gained I enjoyed the view over the low lying fog i'd driven through on Rannoch Moor.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Untitled by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Once the top of the chairlift is reached it's best to turn right over what in spring would likely be a quagmire but thankfully has been frozen over on both of my visits. This allows an ascent of the shoulder which is more forgiving in gradient than tackling Meall a'Bhuiridh head on.
The ascent was punctuated by a few photo stops, particularly over to Ben Nevis, but the stops were short as the cold was really beginning to bite when stationary.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
One of my favourite hills, Schiehallion, could also be viewed in the distance.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Soon, the top of Meall a'Bhuiridh was reached and the views were just as impressive as I remembered. The advantage of the "brass monkeys" temperature was that the air was as clear as a bell with next to no haze to obscure things. There were nothing but snowy peaks as far as the eye could see.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
A quick spot of lunch was had before the cold prompted me into action and I made for the ridge to the Creise plateau.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
The risge walk was thoroughly pleasant and in hindsight I would have been fine six years ago. Those kind of ridges always look steeper and more intimidating when you look at them head on but once you're on them you realise that they're not as bad as they look. I zipped up onto the plateau and in what seemed like no time at all I had achieved the real target of the day; Creise! And the views were well worth the six year wait!
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
The easiest way back is to return over the top of Meall a'Bhuiridh so effectively it feels like a three-munro day. I was only getting to tick one off my list aswell so one for the effort of three didn't seem like great value
Nevertheless, it's hard to feel short-changed on days like these!
It was 14:15 when I left Creise's summit and so I was anticipating a race against failing light to get off the hill. However, after years of abusing my body with the party lifestyle I decided seven months ago that I was really needing to stop drinking & smoking for the good of both my health and general welfare and the fitness gains have been staggering. I whizzed back up Ma'B without stopping and took one last snap from the top...
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
However, as I descended back to the car park I was treated to one last delight as the setting sun imparted a lovely pink hue upon the sky towards the darkening east lighting up Schiehallion and Rannoch Moor.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on Flickr
I've said it before but on a good winter's day like this the Scottish mountains are as beautiful as any other mountains that i've seen in other parts of the world and i've been to the Himalayas twice. These two are fabulous hills to climb in winter as the views are almost unconstrained.
When you have to bail on a munro you often soften the blow by convincing yourself that "it's an excuse to go back". Well in this case I was glad of it. A magnificent day out and hopefully a sign of what we can expect this winter!
Fast forward then to the weekend just past. I'd enjoyed a stroll up Arthur's Seat in the capital on Saturday and arrived home to Sunday's forecast. It was definitely going to be a hill day and I decided it was time to revisit the ski centre and finish what i'd started six years ago.
The bitterly cold temperatures enforced a very careful drive West, the car was telling me it was -8C outside.
Untitled by Ross McGowan, on FlickrThe car park was abuzz with activity as skiers congregated in anticipation of a day on the slopes, and judging by the exotic smell of some of their cigarettes it would be quite an experience
The initial path is well signposted and weaves its way up around the ski-lift pillars. The icicles hanging over the burn bore testament to the freezing conditions, and as height was gained I enjoyed the view over the low lying fog i'd driven through on Rannoch Moor.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrUntitled by Ross McGowan, on FlickrOnce the top of the chairlift is reached it's best to turn right over what in spring would likely be a quagmire but thankfully has been frozen over on both of my visits. This allows an ascent of the shoulder which is more forgiving in gradient than tackling Meall a'Bhuiridh head on.
The ascent was punctuated by a few photo stops, particularly over to Ben Nevis, but the stops were short as the cold was really beginning to bite when stationary.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrOne of my favourite hills, Schiehallion, could also be viewed in the distance.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrSoon, the top of Meall a'Bhuiridh was reached and the views were just as impressive as I remembered. The advantage of the "brass monkeys" temperature was that the air was as clear as a bell with next to no haze to obscure things. There were nothing but snowy peaks as far as the eye could see.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrA quick spot of lunch was had before the cold prompted me into action and I made for the ridge to the Creise plateau.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrThe risge walk was thoroughly pleasant and in hindsight I would have been fine six years ago. Those kind of ridges always look steeper and more intimidating when you look at them head on but once you're on them you realise that they're not as bad as they look. I zipped up onto the plateau and in what seemed like no time at all I had achieved the real target of the day; Creise! And the views were well worth the six year wait!
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrThe easiest way back is to return over the top of Meall a'Bhuiridh so effectively it feels like a three-munro day. I was only getting to tick one off my list aswell so one for the effort of three didn't seem like great value
Nevertheless, it's hard to feel short-changed on days like these!
It was 14:15 when I left Creise's summit and so I was anticipating a race against failing light to get off the hill. However, after years of abusing my body with the party lifestyle I decided seven months ago that I was really needing to stop drinking & smoking for the good of both my health and general welfare and the fitness gains have been staggering. I whizzed back up Ma'B without stopping and took one last snap from the top...
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrHowever, as I descended back to the car park I was treated to one last delight as the setting sun imparted a lovely pink hue upon the sky towards the darkening east lighting up Schiehallion and Rannoch Moor.
Glencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrGlencoe by Ross McGowan, on FlickrI've said it before but on a good winter's day like this the Scottish mountains are as beautiful as any other mountains that i've seen in other parts of the world and i've been to the Himalayas twice. These two are fabulous hills to climb in winter as the views are almost unconstrained.
When you have to bail on a munro you often soften the blow by convincing yourself that "it's an excuse to go back". Well in this case I was glad of it. A magnificent day out and hopefully a sign of what we can expect this winter!
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