Scratching an Each

[weaselmaster]

Sneaky little number this one. Was up on Stirling for a work related meeting in the afternoon and thought I might as well try and get something out of having had to drive up the M80...Beinn Each looked short and sweet. I was reckoning to leave the University about 3 and hoped to be ready to climb at 3.45, to ensure I had enough daylight. However, traffic conditions did their best to put me off, with numerous sets of traffic control lights en route and various other delays. Added to which it was raining with low cloud. I eventually arrived at the starting layby after 4pm and considered just heading home. But I decided since I was here I should make a go of it. I'd seen photos of the conditions at the weekend on the hill, and wondered if my snowshoes should come along too, but there has been a fair bit of melt during the week and I decided to leave them in the boot...

Up through the trees, slippy wet rocks coated in pine needles. Onto the track and the cloud was still obscuring the surrounding hilltops, bands of mist streaming down Glen Ample. To the turn off for the hill path - immersing my feet in a much deeper stream across the track than I was expecting Up the hillside at a moderate climb, scattering a few wet sheep. then to the flatter area around 540m. So far it was going well and I felt I was making good time. Some patches of snow in sheltered spots from now on - wet, sugary stuff, fortunately not too deep. the path wove in and out of view under deposits of snow. A young deer was startled ahead of me and disappeared into the mist. A couple of steeper bits, where I think I lost the path and needed to get the ice axe out for short sections. Then up to the summit - a tiny cairn of a few stones beside a drop of what could have been 20 or 200m for all I could see,

on the track

P1000212 by 23weasels, on Flickr

still on the track

P1000213 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Beinn Each

P1000215 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Path up - no snow

P1000216 by 23weasels, on Flickr

View back

P1000217 by 23weasels, on Flickr


P1000218 by 23weasels, on Flickr

First signs of snow

P1000219 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Summit

P1000220 by 23weasels, on Flickr


P1000221 by 23weasels, on Flickr

The rain had returned and I decided to return by the ascent route as I didn't know what snow conditions would be like coming down over the north shoulder. Facing into the rain, my vision was compromised by wet glasses, as if the clag wasn't enough. It was a relatively quick job to follow my steps in the snow and head down the path, coming across a band of deer. Felt quite pleasant to be out at this time of evening when the glen was getting ready for sleep. Back at the track and then into the woods for the footpath back to the car - managed to fall over some branches of a fallen tree on the path and kiss the ground, which I could have done without. But back at the car in just over 2 hours. very tempted to call into the Lade Inn for a meal & a pint but the thought of the drive back in the dark and rain was on my mind and I just pressed on for home.

View back to Glen Ample

P1000223 by 23weasels, on Flickr


P1000224 by 23weasels, on Flickr

[rockhopper]

yup - 'tis a nice walk with good views but................where has all the snow gone ??? - cheers

[basscadet]

Looked like a braw sneaky wander.. wish I could do such things, but no chance of that, stuck at my desk.. Not envious at all

Shame about the clag

[PeteR]

A nice little wander this one, although looks much different from the day I did it just before Christmas. View from the summit looked about the same though, which is a shame

[jonny616]

That's my boggy hill failed twice (in one week). First had a puncture on the A9 and once sorted not enough time to go up down and be back in time to pick the kids up from school. Second time got about 100 meters below the summit and had to turn back due to the weather. Must put that right soon. Thanks for reminding me.