Baw deep in the white stuff!

[Jaxter]

A very last minute text about 9pm the night before…. “Colin, fancy Auchnafree Hill in the morning?” led to an early start as I insisted on being back in time for the rugby.

We parked up at the sizeable parking area at the Loch Turret Dam where it was very windy – the car was being buffeted by the gusts even at ground level

Heading off along the track it was very cold but the beginnings of a sunrise and some rosy red glow bouncing off the snow warmed our hearts if not our hands….


We made progress down the icy track without too many incidents… but it was very slippery! It was shaping up to be a stunner of a day!


The track meant that we covered distance easily and we were starting to work up a bit of warmth too


Looking back the sun was rising above the dam (this helped with the warming effort too


Waterfall


The track started to climb as we got further down the loch and we were able to see down to the end and a possible ascent route to Ben Chonzie


Looking back down the loch


On previous trips here, Colin had just headed directly uphill but given the conditions we figured it walking would be easier on the track! So we continued until the track split and followed the right hand branch uphill. So far so good….


Looking back


Colin chose to stand on a large rock


So did I




White rabbit!


As we climbed we were relatively sheltered from the wind and were able to stop and be daft


Further on the snow had made some really awesome patterns on the track which looked cool but made it a lot more difficult to walk as it was very soft


Trying to stay on top of the snow


Looking back (any excuse for a breather


Colin & Jura stopped for a rest


We figured that the deep snow on the track was no easier than on the hill so we abandoned the track and headed straight upwards towards Auchnafree Hill.

This way Colin….


The wind and snow had combined to make some awesome snow-scapes


This would be our return route


Summit ahoy!


It was tough going in the wind and sinky snow and it was with some relief that we reached the large cairn that may or may not have marked the top (we thought a wee rise to the North looked higher!)

Creag Uchdag and the Lawers hills


Ben Vorlich & Stuc a’ Chroin


Ben Chonzie


Colin looking like a numpty




It was a beautiful clear day!


We had a wee wander to the higher point and looking back it did look like we were higher!


Ben Chonzie & Lawers


I think this might be Schiehallion in the distance


The summit of Auchnafree Hill and back the way we had come




We headed towards our next target (the minor summit of Choinneachain Hill) and it got a bit wild – the wind and the loose snow had turned Auchnafree Hill into the Arctic!




Upon reaching the track we found it….submerged


Me demonstrating the size of the drifts


A couple of folk ahead of us


We found that walking alongside the track was sometimes easier


Reaching the bealach between the two hills we could see back down the to reservoir – a stunning we corner of the country


Hardcore – it was sunglasses time!


Our “route”


There was a lot of undignified falling up to our waists in snow along this section. Fortunately there is no photographic evidence of this as one of us were too busy laughing at the other

Choinneachain Hill


I think these are the Glen Artney Donalds?


Did I mention it was windy?!


Now on the ridge, the walking was a bit easier underfoot but we were now being assaulted by the wind




The end of the Loch and Ben Chonzie


Stuc a’ Chroin


Down the ridge – our route onwards


I think these are the Lomonds


Colin doing better at standing up in the wind than me


We picked up a vague path which was leading us down towards the loch where the sun was almost making the water sparkle


Don’t jump, Colin!


Once the gradient eased we headed straight down towards the track


Back on the track we were able to see back down the reservoir


A slight rise in temperature and more footfall had made the track a lot less icy which was awesome


An easy hill done in some interesting conditions (cos easy is boring ) and timed to perfection as I walked through my front door in time for “Flower of Scotland” and an excellent victory against the French

Auchnafree Hill.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[PeteR]

I remember doing this one in the snow myself...........just not that much snow

Does look very nice though with a covering of the white stuff

[Coop]

Did this in the snow as well. It was like a sheet if ice trying to drive that track to the parking area - hoping a lorry wouldn't come my way.
That wee rise is probably the summit - it used to have a cairn on it - until someone probably took it upon themselves to remove it!!

[Mal Grey]

Look at that blue sky!

It always feels more rewarding when you have to work hard in deep snow and wind, like Scott of the Antarctic, to enjoy a round in the winter sun.

[Jaxter]

I remember doing this one in the snow myself...........just not that much snow

Does look very nice though with a covering of the white stuff

It was a lot of fun, pretty tiring though

Did this in the snow as well. It was like a sheet if ice trying to drive that track to the parking area - hoping a lorry wouldn't come my way.
That wee rise is probably the summit - it used to have a cairn on it - until someone probably took it upon themselves to remove it!!

Yeah - I was glad Colin and his winter tyres was driving that bit

Look at that blue sky!

It always feels more rewarding when you have to work hard in deep snow and wind, like Scott of the Antarctic, to enjoy a round in the winter sun.

Absolutely agree Sometimes a nice easy summer day can turn into a total mission

[rockhopper]

Got a bit confused re the rugby reference (easily done )....until I checked the date A number of options for mix/match around here - does look good in the snow - cheers

[Jaxter]

Got a bit confused re the rugby reference (easily done )....until I checked the date A number of options for mix/match around here - does look good in the snow - cheers

Ah... Yes it's one from last year I never got around to posting confusing though, because it's most a year to the day!