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This report is called "The Easains - take 2" but I had better say something about "The Easians - take 1" first.
My first attempt to climb Stob a Choire Mheadhoin and Stob Coire Easain was on Monday, 16 January. I had had such a great day on Stob Coire Sgriodion and Chno Dearg on the previous Friday and having spied these two Munros on the other side of Loch Treig, I decided that it was worth tackling them next. The forecast was quite favourable with clear skies expected until well into the afternoon and the wind was expected to remain fairly light until later in the day. But it was to be cold. However, the ragged cloud scudding over the summits as I drove along Glen Spean suggested that the deterioration in the weather had accelerated by about 6 hours overnight!
- The Easains Ridge from Glen Spean
Still I started out past the outflow of An Dubh Lochan with some optimism as the summits were still clear - and cloud like this might well clear as the day went on. But it was still very cold and there was a fair breeze already blowing in the valley. I found a way over the fence by the old tramway and made my way up the ridge over Creag Fhiaclach. And in a wee while the great prow of Meal Cian Dearg came into view.
- Meall Cian Dearg from the north
As I approached this looming prominence I started to wonder how I would find my way up to its top. Snow seemed to fill all the routes up the gullys to it's summit. There was no sign of the scrambley path that normally leads the way to the top.
- Looking up to Meall Cian Dearg
With crampons on and my ice axe in hand I did eventually find a way up through the steep snow banks. It involved some very steep snow and near the top it was very exposed. I found a route a little to the left of centre which took me to a short stretch of steep snow. I was grateful for the already-cut steps up the snow and was soon at the top looking back over the snowy prow!
- Over the prow
This route is not suitable for anyone without crampons and ice axes and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who had not had some experience on steep and exposed snow. It certainly was a bit beyond my comfort zone and it definitely made me sweat - which probably didn't help with matters later when the cold wind was on me. Once up on the high level the walk along the ridge was very straightforward, but it had taken me quite a time to climb the prow and now the wind was much stronger and I was starting to feel chilled. It didn't help that I had left my gaiters at home (by accident) and that I was lacking the lower part of my thermal base layer. As I approached the 850 metre level the wind was buffeting and chilling me quite a bit. I has used my extra layer and it was time to take stock. After a short lunch break and getting on a bit more head and hand insulation, I looked at the lowering cloud and decided to turn back and head down skirting round Meall Cain Dearg to the west.
- The lowering cloud
I wasn't enjoying myself and I would see nothing. Just as I was setting off I met two walkers heading up. I spoke to them for a couple of minutes and briefly considered asking if I could join them - but then I decided my mind was made up - I would come back another day!
Which brings me to "The Easains - take 2". When I set off on Saturday, 28 January the weather didn't look a lot more promising. There was a lot of high cloud and there was cloud over some of the nearby mountains - but the Easain Ridge was, so fa,r quite clear. And there was much less wind in the valley. Two other walkers - a couple - had arrived at the start point just before I started. After chatting briefly I set off from the outflow of the An Dubh Lochan again and headed for the wooded area to the right on the old tramway where a fallen down tree gives an easy way over the barbed wire fence at the moment.
- Towards the Easains Ridge
Soon I was on the bagger's path heading along the ridge discovering how hazardous icy puddles can be when covered with snow! It is still a boggy path underneath!
Soon Meall Cian Dearg was coming into view again.
- Meall Cian Dearg
I had determined that I would not attempt the "ice climb" on the prow again, as it had taken me so much time and perspiration last time, and plotted myself a route around the west side of Meall Cain Dearg aiming to keep to the break of slope at around the 600 metre contour before angling up to gain the ridge again. As I skirted round the base of the prow I could see groups of walkers all tackling the hard snowy slopes of the prow above me. It was taking most of them quite a time to navigate up the steep snow!
- Walkers / ice climbers on Meall Cian Dearg
My route round the base of the Meall Cian Dearg proved to be quite challenging - on very rough ground and with deep heather and boggy ground to contend with along with steep slopes to the west. Nevertheless I made reasonable progress and there were some great view of the Grey Corries - now very much the "White Corries" in the bright sunshine.
- The (very white) Grey Corries
By now a couple of hours had gone by and after a brief stop to have a snack and get kitted up I arrived on the ridge as a couple of parties of walkers passed. I couldn't help thinking that the hills are much busier at weekends. It's usually a weekday when I am out but I was quite happy with a wee bit company on the hills (but not too crowded though!
) I stopped again to put on crampons and soon they were way ahead of me heading up the sinuous ridge ahead.
- Heading up the ridge
Soon I had reached a psychologically significant point. I was past the place at which I had turned the previous time - and it felt good! After climbing a bit more the summit of Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin appeared rearing up along the ridge. I was delighted to see that it was in the clear and this time the wind was no problem!
- The summit of Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin
The going was good on hard snow but I was taking care to avoid the corniced east side of the ridge. Snowy slopes led up to the summit plateau. I was rather expecting a more peaky top given the way the summit looked from below. However, I soon found the rather modest cairn hiding in the snow!
- At the summit of Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin
Just as I reached the summit the cloud was starting to come in and as I set off towards Stob Coire Easain it was beginning to disappear in the cloud.
- Stob Coire Easain from Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin
I carried on down though a rocky landscape - making the most of the snowy tracts between the rocks to make it easier with the crampons. I rested briefly at the col and had something to eat before tackling the ascent of Stob Coire Easain. I had a quick look over the corrie rim which had a heavy snow build up. It looked very steep to me - and not a way I would chose to descend in present conditions. For a moment the cloud cleared on Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin and two figures appeared descending towards the col.
- Stob A' Choire Mheadhoin from the col
The climb up Stob Coire Easain was steep and rocky and seemed to go on for ever! But I think it was more the awkwardness of the climb with the crampons catching on rocks and making life uncomfortable. I'm not sure if they were better off than on - but it was definitely not ideal crampon country!
On then way up I passed most of the parties that had been ahead of me - taking time to chat about possible routes of descent - and making the most of each rest!
- The ascent of Stob Coire Easain
Eventually I crossed a snow bank and there I was at the summit! It was a fine summit too with drops all round, partly hidden in the mist. And I had it all to myself so I enjoyed the moment and took a few pictures.
- At the summit of Stob Coire Easain
Looking around I wondered what the descent of the north ridge would be like in the winter conditions. It appeared to be a good way down into Coire Laire but I quickly decided that I had better stick with the familiar. It was getting later in the day (about 2:30pm) and I needed to stay with a familiar route back, to avoid being caught out in the dark. I headed back down and shortly after leaving the summit I met the couple that had set off just after me - along with their dog. I wished them well and set off on the descent. It was even more awkward descending on the rocky ground with the crampons - so I tried to keep to the snowiest parts!
I made my way back to the col and met two young women at the top of the corrie waiting while others in their party cut steps down the steep snow slope. One of them said her crampons were broken so that's why they were descending via the corrie. I wished them well and carried on back up Stob a'Coire Mheadhoin. It wasn't that bad and soon I was on the descent again making good time on the snow slopes on the ridge. I dropped below the cloud and I could see that the sun was shining on hills to the north-east. Well, I'm glad for whoever was climbing those hills!
- Sunshine to the north-east!
I made good time on the way down and even picked up my own foot-prints skirting round the prow again (having removed the crampons by this time) - and a fine wee route it was too!
(actually it was still pretty rough!). I noticed that some of the other groups had made their way down that side too - but a little higher up the slope than I had been. I glanced back for the last time at the bulk of Meall Cain Dearg. If I'm back in the summer sometime I'll happily climb up that way again - but with snow it was very challenging!
- Meall Cain Dearg late in the day
The day light was fading so I pressed on along the ridge keeping to the path as much as possible - but taking great care where it was boggy (it had been thawing quite a bit by this time - I did not want to end up in a bog or go slithering down an icy and muddy slope). I needed the head torch for the last half hour and arrived back at the car by 6pm. As I changed out of my boots and got ready to drive home I could see the twinkle of head torches coming down the ridge over the tramway. I thought it might have been the couple with their dog but they didn't seem to come my way. A little later another group could be seen coming over the ridge from the west - could they have been the group that were descending the corrie. I hope everyone got back safely and without too much difficulty. I don't think many were planning to decend Meall Cian Dearg.
It was good to have climbed these two - having turned back once. But I have no regrets about the first decision. I enjoyed my day and it was goods to meet others on the way. It was hard work though. I find winter walking much more of a challenge than summer walking. There are all the extra clothes to carry, the heavy boots that feel like they are lead lined, and all the ironmongery too - if that is not to coarse a name to describe ice axes and crampons. Having said all that, the winter walking is really worth it - you get to see and experience the mountains in very different conditions from summer - exciting and often very beautiful conditions - which are only there for a time!