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3 years ago after years of summer climbing, I decided it was about time to give winter hillwalking a go. I have previously only climbed a few Munros solo and the upcoming winter wasn't gonna to stop me from my new found love of solo hillwalking! My approach to everything I do is ...go for it and worry about it afterwards (what can possibly go wrong) Well quite a lof actually as you will soon discover, but when I made my mind up to do something- I am going for it!
Winter walking requires crampons. As my parents always struggle to find presents for me I requested a pair for my birthday. So when my birthday arrived my dad organized a pair and send them in a parcel (I am surprised the post delivered the parcel which by the time was covered in holes from the crampons
Following the instructions I fitted them to my boots, but I had to wait for another 2 months before the weather was good enough and Glen Coe was covered in snow.
I left home during a beautiful Saturday morning and decided to climb Buachaille Etive Mor. I have climbed the Buachaille quite a few times before hand and was keen to do it in the snow.
Driving along Loch Lomond was lovely until I went around one of the hundred corner and used my brake like many times before. Only that time I didnt realized that I was driving on an area of black ice! I have been driving on snow and ice many times before hand and would say it does not bother me much, but so far I never encountered black ice. When I hit my brakes and the car started to spin and the steering wheel didnt responded to anything anymore it was the worst feeling of helpfulness I have ever experienced.
I remember sitting in my wee car, spinning and feeling just blank when I crashed against the barrier. Luckily I didn't drive fast, but needless to say the sound of the crash and the abrupt halt left me shaking and my knees left like jelly.
When I realized I was ok and managed to stop shaking, I got out of the car to check it for damage and realized that apart from a big scratch across the front the car seemed ok. A concerned couple in the car behind me (who skidded on the ice as well, but where able to control the car just in time) were concerned about me, but I said I am fine.
I got back into my car and well up there isn't the best place to stop, so I continued driving and decided that because nothing did happen I could just continue my plans.
I continued my drive up north....after all how could I have turned back on a day like that?
It took me a while to stop shaking and don't think I drove faster than 40mph that day, but I managed and just before Rannoch Mor I stopped to say hello to an old friend
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- Making friends with the locals on the way-sadly someone shot this stag (well I was told)
When I reached Rannoch Mor and was presented with the most beautiful site I have seen so far.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!!!
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- Rannoch Mor around noon
I stopped my car next to the road and took some photos. When I got back into the car I realized I got stuck...Ahhhhhhhh!
(By that time I was laughing hysterical-dear god what did I do wrong!?)
It took me a while, but I managed to get the car out of the snow (note to self...dont drive into a pile of snow to take photos) Arriving at the car park in front of the Buachaille, I got my kit together and started walking up the path.
Well the snow was already ankle deep and I had no clue where the path was....so I should say I followed the footsteps of some other walkers.
I continued up the steep path and really loved the new experience. I saw 2 other walkers ahead of me and decided to stay behind them...after all they must know more than me and hopefully also know when it was time to put the crampons on (As I said I worry about things ehm afterwards and so I I didnt really worried reading up about anything at all) Note to all...dont try this at home
Leaving some distance between me and the other 2 walkers (after all I didnt wanted to make them feel followed) I walked up the path and when they stopped to put on the crampons, I stopped at the same place when I reached it and put mine on.
Walking with the crampons was absolutely brilliant...no more sliding, but I must have made something wrong because I kept on loosing the *@*~# things.
After I refitted them about 4-5 times (swearing loudly) I had enough and decided I need help. So when the 2 walkers in front stopped, I caught up with them and asked for help.
It turned out that my crampons were too loose and they helped me to fit them properly (thank you whoever you were!) Note to self read up about things!!!
Afterwards I continued the path up the gully and I have to say it was soooo much easier than in summer. Everything was frozen, no loose stones and it was one of the easiest walks I have done up that path. I reached the top of Stob Dearg and decided to head back down the same way-after all it would get dark by 4pm. To reach the top of Stob Dearg took me 1.15h in summer and during winter and deep snow it took me 1.45h, so that was good to know (plan more time in winter)
The views were amazing but soon I got too cold and decided to head back down again.
Back down was even better than going up. I felt into a walk/run which was a bit like skiing and even with my crampons on, I felt like being on skies as the snow was pretty soft...again one of my favorite walks down a hill and I guess one of the fastest
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- Scary
Pretty steep
![DSCF4697.JPG]()
- maybe thats a better way down?
When I got back to my car the ski turned a lovely color of pink and purple and I managed some more photos before I left to drive home.
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- Sunset
![Rannoch Mor Panoramic.jpg]()
- Sunset at Rannoch Mor
After my skid on black ice, I was really scared when I reached the road around Loch Lomond and I was the leader of the traffic yam...doing the 20 odd miles with 25-30mph...Sorry to all who must have been cursed me that evening
But I made in back in one piece, with a slightly damaged car and lots of new experiences in winter climbing
Needless to say after all the excitement I was drunk after my second pint that evening...at the Christmas party I also had to attend the same night...oh yes and with my high heels and evening dress managed to make a rather embarrassing pub exit after midnight...when I managed to fall down the stairs, ended up on my bum flashing a few people, who were slightly concerned when I burst out in hysterical laughs and started talking about crampons....
