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0826: Standard car faff before setting off, road to higher car park impassable so longer walk in required
Heavy snow that morning
Looking ominous
Pleasant going
Bridge
Starting to brighten
Stunning glen but bitter wind
Bothy, fire still glowing, short respite from wind to warm up
50/50 but getting excited
Avoided this, lethally slippy - waded instead, shallow enough for boots and gaiters
Shedding layers on ascent
Getting very excited now
It's all coming together
A couple ahead, kindly breaking the way
Final stretch of the shoulder, Mamores to the south
Me
Some axe-work/cramponing necessary at this point
Slow going now with the need to take photos
From whence I came
1138: Summit of Stob Ban, bitter but views ridiculous
Summit cairn shortly after the couple left, shelter for tea and roll
Route back looking promising
Alas, no bum-sliding, either too powdery or too icy
Perfect winter scene
Me again
Losing the sun but also the bitter wind
Perfect conditions now but impossible to have delayed, so few hours of daylight
Another
A Corbett? Cruach Innse? Definitely be back
Again
Crazy blue skies
Love vapour trails
Great end to the day
Sun setting rapidly
Relief to be out of the glens
Not massive hills, but Locheil and Glengarry Forests looking amazing in evening sun, great setting
Aonachs looking stunning
Even stunninger
...
1438: Back at car with plenty of daylight left
Summary:Amazing winter's day. Started off in pitch darkness with full-on heavy blizzard, trying to follow LR track to main car park. Almost got there but car got stuck on slight incline, reversed a long way back until suitable space found just as dawn was breaking. In two minds about whether to abandon before car permanently stuck. Another Skoda pulled up full of a friendly group of girls with no such defeatist thoughts, so I was swayed. Full winter kit, but quickly ditched layers until hit by bitter wind further down the glen. Skoda girl group split off to do the Grey Corries traverse, a long walk for a short day. Another couple ahead of me for most of the day at a good distance. Several people encountered descending SB, likely stayed at bothy. Doubt they saw anything for their early efforts though. Day just improved as it went on. Ridiculous vistas opening up, intermittently but never hidden for long. On final pull up to SB, powder on ice necessitated axe and crampons (I think). Although wind bitter at summit, quite snug in my Keela kit and sufficient shelter at cairn for brew and snack. Descent and walk out very pleasant, wind minimal, blue skies, plenty of time so dawdled.Treated to cloud capped Aonachs with sun setting behind them on one side with expanse of Glen Spean on the other. Something about an unrushed walk out on the flat at the end of the day with weather always improving to raise the spirits. With light fading, drove to Glen Shiel Lodge for a couple of nights stay after stocking up at Fort William. Well chuffed with the day's work. Beinn Sgritheall next.