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The Zig Zags and Broad Gully….
Having been struck down by the lurgy and even worse – possibly MANFLU!!!!! – I was feeling a little run down so we decided on a Sunday outing to give me an extra days rest in the hope my energy levels would be a little better come Sunday!!
We had been out in absolutely stunning conditions two weeks previously on Ben More which saw my friends first ascent after back surgery and today would be his first easy mountaineering route since the surgeries.
Over the last few years the Zig Zags have been mentioned as a first route when winter arrived but we always seemed to pick something else and not get up them. However today was different and we left the first car park and headed towards the Lost Valley and the Zig Zags. The snow level was not down as far as Gearr Aonach but there was plenty of water ice around which made things a little slippery, however the route was extremely enjoyable with lots of little bits and bobs of scrambling, I reckon I will visit here again and use this route in the years to come. Coming up and over the nose gave some slight exposure down into Glencoe and the views across the the Aonach Eagach were superb.
The snow level was reached on the ridge of Gearr Aonach and we stopped for a bite to eat with spectacular views over to Stob Coire na Lochan, which was looking wintery. There was broken cloud now, but it was above the summits and the winds were light (if any at all) – very pleasant. Feeling good we decided to have a look at Broad Gully after hoeing and humming about heading up the East Ridge…. The snow was good when we got there, so we took a bimble up broad gully (my first time up – been down it a few times but never ascended it!). Conditions were great and we took our time. SCNL was empty, quietest I think I have ever seen it. There were only three climbing teams that I could see, and hardly any walkers – very unusual for a weekend good weather day – didn’t complain though….
Feeling a little tired – we decided against heading up Bidean and took the eastern should half way down before descending into a snow gully and eventually picking our way back to the path down Coire nan Lochan. By now the clouds had nearly all cleared and we got great views to the Aonach Eagach. The sunset bon the way home was a cracker- all round – a nice wee day out ………..
