walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter

Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter


Postby davgil » Fri Feb 03, 2012 4:36 pm

Route description: Aonach Beag and Aonach Mòr from Glen Nevis

Munros included on this walk: Aonach Beag (Nevis Range), Aonach Mòr

Date walked: 01/02/2012

Time taken: 10.5 hours

Distance: 16.5 km

31 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Wednesday 1st February 2012.

Left Gourock at 5.00am then after a short detour into Erskine
to pick up Joe headed up the A82 to Fort William and Glen Nevis.
As we got changed there was a cutting icy wind that was very uncomfortable. :shock:
We were off and walking by 8.30am, having avoided the temptation of too many layers.
A pleasant start to the walk, we were now enjoying the easy going and beautiful scenery,
first through the trees of the Nevis Gorge then on to the open valley revealing the way ahead,
with the impressive Steal Falls off to the right.

Aonach-Beag-01Aa.jpg


Aonach-Beag-02a.jpg


Aonach-Beag-03a.jpg

We continued along the path and eventually over the wooden footbridge but due to chatting,
enjoying the scenery and watching a lone walker gingerly cross the wire bridge
(to the Ring of Steall presumably) we went a little too far along the path before checking the map.
A quick traverse of the hill took us back to the route in about ten minutes...or was it twenty? :lol:

Now on course again the day ahead started to reveal it’s promise with excellent views northwest
up to Ben Nevis, then higher up, eventually looking west, across the CMD Arete. The Ben was
tempting our cameras out regularly by the summit’s continual interaction with it’s swirling cloud cover.
Every so often this would clear or change dramatically demanding that I stop to take yet another photo...
it was going to be one of those days. Looking south to the Mamores or northeast to the Grey Corries
it was just breathtaking in all directions.

Aonach-Beag-04w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-05w.jpg

The MWIS weather forecast turned out to be accurate and the clear skies were giving us a 360 degree,
sunrise to sunset, panoramic winter wonderland. What a place to be in these conditions.

Aonach-Beag-Pano-1a.jpg


Aonach-Beag-06w.jpg

The first top was Sgurr a'Bhuic then up to Stob Coire Bhealaich, every few metres turning to check
and take in the beauty and scale of the surrounding landscape.

Aonach-Beag-07w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-08w.jpg

Aonach Beag is straight forward walking but at 1234 metres (7th highest Munro) you certainly work
for the rewards it offers.

Aonach-Beag-09w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-10w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-11w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-13w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-12w.jpg

Next a descent to the bealach connecting it to the next summit of Aonach Mor at 1221 metres
which was now just obscured by a light cloud cover.
You can just make out 2 people on the slope...the 2 dots. :D

Aonach-Beag-14w.jpg

Joe :D
Aonach-Beag-15w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-16w.jpg

Me :D
Aonach-Beag-17w.jpg

We could see 4 other walkers spread out on the way up.
It was bitingly cold all day so adorned with hats, hoods and sun glasses,
courteous nods and waves were exchanged as we passed them on their way down
and continued on our own journeys.

Eventually the large summit cairn revealed itself after an easy walk up it’s broad slopes.

Aonach-Beag-22w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-21w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-19w.jpg


Aonach-Beag-20w.jpg

The descent had me a little concerned after reading some reports about it’s steepness
and the snow and ice were surely going to make things tricky at best.
Fortunately the exact opposite was true and the snow made for a relatively easy descent
as we found the small cairn then picked our way carefully down among the scattered rocks.
This was made even easier as we followed the footsteps of previous walkers.
I think this could be quite demanding in wet or icy conditions.

Aonach-Beag-18w.jpg

We knew early in the day that we’d be finishing in darkness and I was slightly concerned
about the boggy conditions previously reported on Walk Highlands. Again, our luck was in
and the ground was mostly hard and frozen making for an easy walk out.
However, probably due to the sheer scale of the region, it did look shorter and took longer
than we anticipated as we reached the valley floor.
Eventually the light faded completely as we followed the many footsteps through the light
snow cover, easily illuminated by our precious head torches. This was surprisingly enjoyable
as we continued in the silence of the night, broken only by the trickle of water under the ice
and sometimes the rush of the stream that paralleled our path.

Aonach-Beag-23w.jpg

We realised after some distance that we should (according to our gps route) be on the other side
(east instead of west) of the stream. This gave us mild concern but as we were following
what was a well trodden path (sort of) we pressed on.
Eventually we arrived right at the wooden bridge so all was well. :D

Aonach-Beag-24w.jpg

A short walk down through the valley and we were soon at the car getting changed
and heading into Fort William for a much needed and thoroughly deserved Chinese meal
before our long journey home. :D

Walk duration was ten and a half hours but was way longer than required and this could be shortened considerably by leaving out the many photo stops and frequent breaks just to soak up the views.
Everything considered, this rated as one of, if not the best day I’ve had on the hills to date. :D
Nothing too awkward or dangerous, great scenery and excellent weather.
I’d recommend this walk to anyone and hope you get as good conditions as we did.

David
Last edited by davgil on Mon Feb 06, 2012 2:16 pm, edited 31 times in total.
User avatar
davgil
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 168
Munros:142   Corbetts:8
Fionas:3   
Hewitts:5
Wainwrights:4   Islands:7
Joined: Feb 16, 2010

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby kev_russ » Fri Feb 03, 2012 4:37 pm

stunning :)
User avatar
kev_russ
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 395
Munros:198   Corbetts:77
Fionas:27   Donalds:33
Sub 2000:14   Hewitts:7
Wainwrights:9   
Joined: Mar 17, 2009
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby jools » Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:02 pm

Great TR backed up by stunning pics :D :D
User avatar
jools
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 31
Munros:195   Corbetts:71
Fionas:21   Donalds:3
Joined: Oct 26, 2009

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby malky_c » Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:07 pm

Glad I clicked on this - a belter of a day. Great photos too 8)
User avatar
malky_c
 
Posts: 6342
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:80+37
Sub 2000:315   Hewitts:281
Wainwrights:140   Islands:39
Joined: Nov 22, 2009
Location: Glasgow/Inverness

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby michaelmcp » Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:57 pm

Great report and you got a great day for it.
Would love to get out on the winter hills on a day like this but every weekend where I have a free day, the weather seems to turn for the worse.

Some great views in your pictures too.
User avatar
michaelmcp
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 25
Munros:65   Corbetts:2
Joined: Sep 10, 2010

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby yellowbelly » Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Superb photos on a fabulous day - thanks for sharing. You have to make the most of days like this! Very envious!
User avatar
yellowbelly
Wanderer
 
Posts: 146
Munros:59   Corbetts:7
Fionas:2   
Hewitts:125
Wainwrights:214   
Joined: Sep 13, 2010
Location: West Cumbria

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby simon-b » Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:25 pm

A great report and some brilliant photos. The views are superb all round on that trip, and you've shown how good they are in winter.

I like the sunset shot towards the end. Is that Bidean nam Bian just showing over the Mamores?
User avatar
simon-b
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2347
Munros:282   Corbetts:30
Fionas:7   Donalds:12
Sub 2000:1   Hewitts:155
Wainwrights:214   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 2, 2012
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby Peter913 » Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:42 pm

Stunning shots there mate

Peter
Peter913
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 113
Corbetts:1
Joined: Jan 6, 2011

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby Del246 » Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:57 pm

What can I say about those pictures. Totally stunning !!
User avatar
Del246
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 356
Munros:105   Corbetts:15
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:1   
Joined: Jan 19, 2011
Location: Uddingston

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby mrssanta » Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:36 pm

those are fantastic photos, very impressive cornices up there!
User avatar
mrssanta
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 3132
Munros:281   Corbetts:12
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:12   Hewitts:43
Wainwrights:41   Islands:13
Joined: Jul 18, 2011
Location: north yorkshire moors

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby blueyed » Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:17 pm

awesome pictures!
User avatar
blueyed
Hill Bagger
 
Posts: 482
Munros:50   Corbetts:13
Fionas:5   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:4
Wainwrights:5   
Joined: May 20, 2010
Location: edinburgh

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby jonny616 » Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:11 pm

Fantastic stuff 8)
User avatar
jonny616
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1621
Munros:282   Corbetts:14
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:1   Hewitts:17
Wainwrights:8   Islands:8
Joined: Aug 19, 2009

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby DaveB1 » Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:55 pm

Fabulous pics and great report, definitely a 'wish I'd been there!' moment. :)
User avatar
DaveB1
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 133
Munros:17   Corbetts:9
Fionas:4   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   
Joined: Apr 6, 2010
Location: Bury, Greater Manchester

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby metafor » Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:04 pm

Stunning photo's, on days like that you have got to stop to take photographs (completely free! but priceless when you look back at them! ) I bathe in your shadow!!!!!!
User avatar
metafor
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 28
Munros:174   
Joined: Mar 13, 2010
Location: Kilmarnock

Re: Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor - winter.

Postby Stretch » Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:28 pm

Stunner of a report sir! 9th pic down would be great on the photo competition!

Lucky you not having to deal with all the bog, it was horrendous when I did it.
User avatar
Stretch
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1714
Munros:146   Corbetts:8
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Jun 15, 2009
Location: Morristown, Tennessee

31 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Next



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: g123 and 74 guests