As we got our kit ready we knew already that it would be a MAGIC day, blue skies with sunshine and a beautiful snow covered landscape. Left the car at Bridge of Orchy Hotel and head up the road to the railway station and under the railway line. There is an underpass to take you under the railline, which also happens to be the West Highland Way. There were lots of Rail workers clearing the track of ice and snow.
The weather of late has caused huge travel issues, but myself and Pete just wanted to get out to play in it. The snow had been packed down a fair bit for our intial walk into Coire an Dothaidh, so this made for easy going until it started to get steep and there was icy patches. After a bit of slipping around, we decided to put on the crampons, this made it so much easier going, and we pushed on up to the top of the Coire. Some amazing views as the sun climbed higher into the sky. We notice a few climber climbing on the south face of the steep coire walls. Not for us, but looked fun.
The first Munro that we tackled was Beinn Dorain, which we pushed up a steep ridge in deep snow to get out of the coire, then it became easier going. We left crampons on, though it would have been just as easy without at this stage. Once up on the plateau to the summit, the views were stunning. We pushed south to the summit, which is at the far south end with large cairn. Could see lots of Munros all round in all directions with a winter covering. We made our way back to the top of the coire and then headed up to the Summit of Beinn an Dothaidh, again great top for seeing lots all round, could gaze down into Rannoch Moor, and Loch Tulla and the Mamores and even Ben Nevis. The walk/slide back to the car was great, with great views of the sun going down, only down point was that the Bridge of Orchy Hotel was closed on our return to the car, so we made are way to Paddy's in Tyndrum for a well deserved pint.
Fantastic Day in the Hills!
- Bridge of Orchy
- Sun coming up
- Walking into Coire an Dothaidh
- Sunshine on route to Beinn Dorain
- New Crampons getting a test
- Funky Snow and Wind formations
- Amazing views to South
- Glad we brought the shades!
- Nearing the top! Stunning Views, large cairn to the north of true summit.
- At last the view of the summit of Beinn Dorain with the Munros at Crianlarich to the South
- Summit Cairn
- Heading back down to Beallach at top of Coire an Dothaidh, then on to Beinn an Dothaidh
- Half way up Beinn an Dothaidh with view to East
- Beinn Achaladair and summit of Beinn Chreachain behind
- Peter topping out on Beinn an Dothaidh with cloud moving in over Ben Cruachan to the West
- A snow covered Rannoch Moor with the Mamores to the North-East
- Heading back to Bridge of Orchy as the Sun goes down
- Sun with Snow coming down off clouds
