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After a poor night's sleep at the camp site in Roy Bridge (big shout out the the obnoxious bunch of drunks who turned up at about 1am and sat around drinking and talking loudly) we thought we would shorten our planned walk in the Aonachs by taking the Gondola (this didn't feel like cheating as we had already walked the route to the gondola station the year before to be beaten back by the weather).
However, our plans were scuppered when we arrived at 08.20 to find the gondola didn't open until 10.30. Oh well, it saved us £18.50 each.
So we set off into the mist up the mountain bike route. At the gondola station we headed to the right (south) into the snow line and even murkier weather. We followed the line of an old ski tow eventually reaching a high point by the radio mast/station, from where it was an easy walk to the summit of Aonach Mor
We took a break here for an early lunch sheltering from the wind by the summit cairn, which was also in a little patch clear of snow.
After a good rest we set off south for Aonach Beag. Much of the way was in snow which was melting in many places. Weather was very misty and it was not possible to see across the CMD or the Ben.
After the short steep section we reached the summit plateau with no views due to the mist.
To return we reversed our route, although took a great line down from the top of Aonach Mor beneath a ski tow, allowing us to run/slide down a few hundred metres in a few minutes. As the weather was now improving and we were ahead of schedule we stopped at the gondola cafe for a cup of tea. We then completed the descent arriving back at the car 6 hours after setting off, and allowing us to make the decision to start driving home to north Wales that afternoon.
