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Snow on Chno Dearg

Snow on Chno Dearg


Postby Redrock » Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:51 am

Route description: Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain

Munros included on this walk: Chno Dearg, Stob Coire Sgriodain

Date walked: 13/01/2012

Time taken: 7.7 hours

Distance: 14 km

Ascent: 1018m

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The Munros I have still to climb are getting further away from the central belt - so it was up early and a long drive up the A9 then along Glen Spean so that I could tackle Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg on what I hoped would be a fine winter's day. The forecast was good and I was hopeful of excellent conditions - but I have been disappointed before! :lol: I set off from the fine wee hamlet of Fersit at about 9:30am.

P1080922.JPG
Leaving Fresit


There was a group of walkers, also from Fife, set off about the same time as me - and I was to cross paths with them a few times on my journey. Going east through Fersit, I was soon out on the open moor and I could see Sron na Garbh-bheinne, my route to the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain, rising up to the south.

P1080924.JPG
Sron na Garbh-bheinne


I made steady progress over the partly frozen boggy landscape (but not quite frozen enough to take my weight! :lol:) Soon I was looking up at the imposing prow of Sron na Garbh-bheinne. I was getting close to 600 metres and the snow beds were getting more extensive. It looked like I would soon have to tackle snow on the climb onto the ridge! I headed for the gully just to the left of centre which seemed a likely way up!

P1080929.JPG
Towards the ridge


To the west there were great views of the Easains.

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The Easains Ridge


Behind me Creag Meagaidh stood out boldly in the clear air.

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Creag Meagaidh


Heading up the gully, I soon discovered that there was a fair build up of snow at its head. I decided to cut a few steps with the ice axe across a narrow section on the east side and then I scrambled up the bank onto easier ground above. The other group of walkers donned crampons at the foot of the snow and made their way up the steep bank.

P1080935.JPG
Climbing the gully


Soon I had the crampons on myself as it became easier to use the snow slopes as my route onto the ridge. The snow was an ideal consistency - firm enough to take my weight but yielding enough for a good grip with the crampons (very different to my experience on Sgiath Chuil the previous week! :D ). Higher up I came across some fresh boot prints (and maybe a dog's paw prints) which suggested there might be less icy ways up!

The ground became progressively whiter as I approached the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain. The sunshine was glorious! :D

P1080937.JPG
Towards the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain


The summit proved to be an amazing place and I lingered there a while.

P1080946.JPG
At the summit - Stob Coire Sgriodain


Loch Treig lay far below beyond a tumble of broken boulders.

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Loch Treig


The twin peaks of Stob Coire Easain and Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin rose up proudly to the west.

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Stob Coire Easain and Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin


Beinn a' Chlachair and its partners looked impressive to the north-east.

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Beinn a' Chlachair


Whilst Chno Dearg - my next Munro of the day - looked a much gentler hill to the east.

P1080941.JPG
Chno Dearg


My way forward was along the ridge south east from the summit - towards the south top of Stob Coire Sgriodain. It proved to be complex ground with hummocks and minor ridges running at an angle to the main ridge. I imagine it could be challenging in poor visibility! But today it was beautifully clear!

P1080953.JPG
Towards the south top of Stob Coire Sgriodain


Heading along the Easains looked impressive.

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The Easains


And there were some good views towards Glencoe to the south.

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Towards Glencoe


The snowfields gave great walking for crampons.

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Snowfields


But I can't help feeling that I look like an old man with a walking stick coming across the snow! Well if the cap fits - wear it! :lol:

P1080972.JPG
Walking on snow


From the col I headed off the regular route to take in the Munro Top of Meall Garbh. I was rewarded with views of Ben Nevis emerging from behind the Easains.

P1080986.JPG
Ben Nevis and the Easains


Schiehallion showed up well to the south-east.

P1080985.JPG
Schiehallion


I was at the top of Meall Garbh (I try to visit the Munro Tops too when it is practicable - but it tends to make for a longer day! :D ) - but I still had Chno Dearg waiting in the background to be climbed.

P1080990.JPG
On top of Meall Garbh


Chno Dearg has a bit of a reputation for being a rounded and rather boring hill but I've always rather liked the sound of the name. Perhaps it is best climbed in winter. As I walked towards it I noticed evidence of a past avalanche. "It can't be that tame a hill if it can do avalanches" I thought. Perhaps in another few thousand years it could have a fine corrie on its east side! (But perhaps that will need another ice age to complete! :D )

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Approaching Chno Dearg


As I started my ascent of Chno Dearg I noticed the other group of walkers following me up the slopes.

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Walkers below


It didn't take long to reach the summit dome with views towards the Easains and the Grey Corries opening up.

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The Easains and the Grey Corries


It was time to perch myself on the cairn and pretend for the camera that I had been sitting there for ages.

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The summit of Chno Dearg


But time was pressing on - it was time to head home. The snow fields north of the summit provided a good route down with crampons on my feet.
Last edited by Redrock on Sun Jan 22, 2012 1:25 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Redrock
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Redrock » Sun Jan 22, 2012 1:11 am

And to continue

Glen Spean and Loch Laggan looked fine in the late afternoon light.

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Glen Spean and Loch Laggan


By now the day was moving on and the sun was setting over the ridge of Stob Coire Sgriodain.

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Sunet over Stob Coire Sgriodain


Creag Meagaidh was a fine sight in the sunset light as I made my way quickly down the mountain.

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Creag Meagaidh at sunset


Soon I was below the snow line and looking back at the ridge that had started my day. I was intrigued by the burn which actually split and went two directions below the waterfall. It rather confused me and left me crossing more than I needed to. I also learned a handy lesson - stand on the rocks just below the water in freezing weather - those above will be covered in ice and are deadly to stand on! :lol:

P1090028.JPG
Waterfall on Allt Chaorach Beag


I was down to the path above Fersit with just enough light to see my way. I made my way through the village in the fading light and arrived back at the car a little after 5pm. What a day it had been! You don't get days like this very often and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it! And I'd got my timing just about right this time too! So all in all it was a great day on the hills! :D :D :D I'd love more days like these! 8)
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby ChrisW » Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:24 am

Fine report and pics Redrock, lovely to see the mountains with that top covering of snow, what a fantastic day in the hills in perfect weather :D
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Alastair S » Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:57 am

That looks like a grand day right enough :thumbup:
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Collaciotach » Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:01 am

Cracking report and fine pics...... oh the cold and sunny Winter day :D
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Redrock » Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:29 pm

Thanks everyone. It's good to be able to share a cracking winter's day - for once! :D
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Bod » Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:21 pm

Great report Redrock,
A great start to the year for you, hills in January this year - we're doing well!
:D :D
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Redrock » Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:15 pm

Och aye, Bod. We have to start kicking up the white stuff again! :D Cheers! 8)
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Alan S » Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:48 pm

Great report redrock :D
You just cannae whack they pics of loch treig 8)
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby monty » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:57 pm

Great set of photos Redrock. It was pea soup when i was up there. Is that real Chno :lol: :lol:
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Redrock » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:17 pm

alan s wrote:Great report redrock :D
You just cannae whack they pics of loch treig 8)


Aye, it's a great place, Alan. It's just like looking down on a fjord - I imagine! :D
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Redrock » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:18 pm

monty wrote:Great set of photos Redrock. It was pea soup when i was up there. Is that real Chno :lol: :lol:


Chno, really! :lol: :lol: It's so much better when you can see the views, Monty! 8)
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Blue Bear » Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:54 pm

Great report RedRock and excellent pictures- I was one of the guys you met that day on the hills and the whole report certainly captured what a brilliant day we had.It was good to get some winter training done on the gulley although my calfs might feel different:lol :lol: : Keep up the good work and we might see you on another :lol: :thumbup:
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby Redrock » Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:10 pm

Cheers, Blue Bear! It was a great day, wasn't it - and it's great fun honing the old winter skills (but of course I cheated a bit on the gully and avoided the snow!) :lol: I wish we could get more days like that - but more often the clag is waiting up there to spoil things! :lol: I've still got the two on the other side of Loch Trieg to do - so I'll be up there again some day. Maybe see you out on another hill another time! 8)
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Re: Snow on Chno Dearg

Postby jonny616 » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:48 pm

Great report & pics. Can't wait to do these hills
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