Walkhighlands

Camped at the head of Loch Arkaig, and set off around 7:15 with in full moon to help me walk up the track to Upper Glen Dessary Farm. Here I changed out of my battered approach shoes and put on a shiny new pair of Scarpa Manta (bought with winter in mind, but for more comments see the end of this post). The weather was relatively clear to start with, and just got better and better. The route was simple to follow, although it was interesting to note that there was no evidence of any footmarks between Sgurr nan Coireachan and Garbh Chioch Mhor. Sitting on Sgurr na Ciche looking west, drinking a hot tea, was one of the finest things I've done in years. OK, the walk back was long and I finished the last hour with the headtorch but this was planned.

Snow conditions are good for the west coast, and there is quite a lot of hard-packed stuff already. In places, especially the descent to Feadan na Ciche from GCM, I could have done with my spikes.

Boots. I bought the aforementioned Scarpa Manta with winter in mind. They are a lovely boot, and I had a serious discount when I bought them which made them even more attractive. However, they have a full shank sole and are very rigid, and just not suited to my style of walking away from snow. My old pair of Reichle boots are giving up the ghost, and I didn't trust them enough to wear them. Does anyone have any recommendations for heavy-duty winter boots which are half-shank but have similar uppers to Manta?

Any photos?
That sounds like an excellent day out - the description pretty much matches my memory of the first time up Sgurr na Ciche. One of the best summits in the UK, particuarly in the winter

As for the boots, I don't tend to comment much on gear as I don't really spend much time thinking about it. However, a couple of years back I was all ready to buy a pair or Scarpa Mantas, but in the end went for something slightly lighter, as I don't do as much serious winter stuff these days. I ended up with these: http://www.craigdonmountainsports.com/asolo-mens-power-matic-500-gv
although I certainly didn't pay that much for them! They are a little bit more flexible, but still take crampons and are fine for low grade winter mountaineering/walking. They've done me a pretty good couple of years, but could possibly do with re-soling soon.

I'd post up in the gear section if I were you, as there are lots of forum members who know loads more about gear than me, and could give you a decent recommendation.

The view from Sgurr na Ciche is the finest I've experienced in my life . I could have stayed there all day but was also watching the clock the day I did this route.

Bloody hell! that's an ambitious walk for this time of year I'd say - you did well to only have to do the vehicle track in the dark in my opinion! I've swapped to much shorter stuff now until at least mid spring next year now...

I'll agree it was ambitious, but the forecast was a belter, I was camped at the head of Loch Arkaig, and the walk to and from Upper Glen Dessary Farm can be done with a head torch. Next time should really walk in to Sourlies and base myself there for a few days. There's so much cracking countryside around there. Thanks for the tip on the boots.