Bridge of Orchy - snow storms

[alanmurray]

After looking at Dooterbang's Trip Report, decided on these two Bridge of Orchy hills.
Weather report not too good, but aint no fair weather walker - first wrong decision.

Left Perth with Jelly around 7:30am, skies clears and looking good.

Road conditions good, even track to Inverornan Hotel fine.
Put gear on, weather ok, but heavy with clag.

Map shot of Bridge of Orchy area

Map

The walk in not too bad, frequent icy patches on path

Walk in

As we left the walk-in and commenced the ascent, the weather started to worsen.

on the way

The weather was so bad I left my camera in my rucksack until off the mountain.
As we progressed on the ascent the wind increased and the snow intensified.
With crampons on we reached the summit of Stob A Choire Odhair. Sorry no photos. Didn't even stop for bite to eat.

Unable to stand at the top - heavy snowstorm.
Worse conditions I have ever experienced. White-out.
Eyeballs hurting from 70mph snow flakes giving them a hammering.
We had to quickly descend as conditions were really bad.
We had decided around half an hour previously that the second munro was not an option.

We really became quite dis-orientated as we quickly descended, and found we were off course.
Visibility still poor, some landmarks confused us, the path and our footprints were quickly covered by the heavy snow.
Nothing looked familiar - compass and map still didn't help us.
We carefully continued to descend a direct route near the crags. As the weather cleared a little and saw the main watercourse we realised that we were around 500m further up the glen than we thought we were. Safely off the hillside we followed the river downstream. A few lessons were learnt that day!

On the way back, glad to be off the mountain, discussing the powerful conditions at the summit.

On way back

Still snowing hard, both of us soaked through to our pants, rucksacks heavy with snow melt

Snowy

Hardy stags not affected by weather conditions

Stag

Access track covered in snow, but made it out.
Radio 2 road reports stating roads all around us closed, except for at Bridge of Orchy, only passible with care.
Quick cider in Tydrum then home - interesting day - glad I was out on the hills.

[sloosh]

Wow, crazy conditions. Lucky the road was open so you could get home. I love the picture of the stag looking at you as if you're daft.

[dooterbang]

Uber crazy conditions

Well done on getting out and at least reaching the summit of the 1st Munro.

Wise choice not to take on Ghabhar as that can be dangerous.

The hills will still be there for your next trip, hopefully in better weather

[rockhopper]

The conditions looked horrendous - glad I decided to go up that way the day before instead.

I've only been caught in a total white out once before - and like you made the decision to stop and return. I'd echo the comments above - getting back is far more important and the hill will still be there the next time. Well done.

[malky_c]

Hmm, pretty ferocious looking I do remember the weather forecast promising more snow somewhere, we just didn't see any of it further north! Good work getting to a summit, and also knowing when to knock it on the head