Coire Odhar , Beinn na Lap - Trainspotting in the snow

[Collaciotach]

In Gaelic we call the month you know exclusively as January ......... An mìos marbh

or the dead month ! .

Of course this is in reference to the ground being "asleep" I have always considered that description very appropriate for this time of year ....... until now

I have been out a bit last wee while mostly repeat local hills and Sgiath Ciuil where I had a magnificent few hours of glorious Alpine conditions between Christmas and new year and a hunt around Garbh Bheinn post New Year trying to shake off the horrors of alcohol poisoning ! .

After a week of bizarre weather here in Suaineirt and heavy snow I decided to target the first Munro of 2015 , I chose Beinn na Lap today , due to the roads being horrendous this side of the Linnhe Dubh ......... I thought I'd let the train take the strain .

The 7.40am train from the Black Garrison had me at Coire Odhair around 8.45am with the wee toy city train slipping and sliding its way through the majesty of Loch Abair. I was told to alight at the back, cause the train needed a "run" to get going again when it stopped at the snowy high point of Coire Odhar.

When I "alighted" I thought I had made the first error of the day ..... " alighting "

An t sneachda mhor ... plenty snow alright ! , copious amounts to a degree that I thought I might be lucky to reach the Youth Hostel

An Steisean

It was at the knee in depth crossing the tracks and "unconsolidated" ..... sgionneil , but when I hit the track it was only about half way up my leg as I crunched and sank my way toward Beinn na Lap

An rathad a ribhist

The sun was rising in the East though and the air had a good feel to it with the promise of a fine morning which encouraged me onward through the "unconsolidated " snow ! ..... the reward was a cracking sunrise over Sith Challain (Schiehallion)

Sith Challain

I have to admit a this spurred me into the ascent mode but it was murderous with wee patches of firmness then large areas of sinky "unconsolidated" snow ,still managed to swim my way higher and higher

Lorg Coise

Loch Oisin agus Craobh Guibhsachain

When I eventually reached to the ridge I found the surface a lot better ,you can never underestimate how tiring it is floundering around in the white stuff but the weather more than made up for the toil ...... brilliant ,with views in all directions and fog hanging around the lower reaches of the Glens and Straths and air clarity second to none

Grian a dhearrsadh

An Iar

Beinn Ath Fhionn agus Beinn Eallair

Still a fair haul in the snow to the summit of this easiest of Munro's!! although a bonus not needing the crampoon's nor any need for the axe either, a broad enough druim this and we summited around 10.45 having taken around 2hrs , not bad given the soft conditions on the South slopes .....

An Cárn

Cairn

Superb views to Beinn Neibhis , Na Coirean Glas and Stob Coire Easain poking above the ceó and also over toward Beinn Ealair (Alder)

Beinn Neibhis

Stob Coire Easain agus Stob Coire a Mheadhann

We spent over an hour on the summit with some of the finest scenery I have seen in many a day I reckon the air clarity was sublime , with low hanging ceó in the Glens, very atmospheric and although cold bearable in the sun

Beinn Eallair

Mam Mór

I'm no sure if an cú knew what to make of his aodann reoite mind but he enjoys capering about in these conditions and is light enough the snow causing him few hassle's apart from icicles on his coat and face

An Cu

Hard to pull yourself off the hill on such a day but we eventually started to wander down watching a fair bank of fog wandering toward us from the Monadh Mór ......

Monadh Mór agus sgoth a thiginn

Ceó

Leum Uilleam

We still had a while till the 3.24pm Train so took our time watching the changing scenes Leum Uilleam looked particularly grand

Lorg Coise sios

A ribhist

Eventually after meandering around we were at the foot again and had a wander low level to finish the day and kill the 2 hour wait for the train ,plenty of classic sights low level at Coire Odhar .

An drochaid

Cables

An rathad ard

Slighe

I would have to say this is one of the finest days I have encountered on the hill over the years , Coire Odhar has always fascinated me since I was a young fella , it has a long history and was long disputed by Robertson's , Cameron's and MacDonald's amongst others and I can understand why , a fine country .

Leum Uilleam

Cheerie a nis

[Beaner001]

We'll played Colla, love the first pic at the station and Sith Challain pic. It's a wonder the wee choo choo managed to get over the moor in that snow. The dugs seem to make short work of the snow, the snow balls sticking to mine are the only hindrance for them.
Really looking forward to this trip now, cheers

[dooterbang]

Winter is great for repeats

Nice sunrise photo, and great views all around.

Looked a nice wee day out for you and the wee one.

Cheers.

[wilkiemurray]

Great report and those photos are stunning - The Ben looks well and truly plastered!

ATB

Murray

[Collaciotach]

Great report and those photos are stunning - The Ben looks well and truly plastered!

ATB

Murray

Aye a lot of snow on the Ben Wilkie , in fact most of the Lochaber hills are plastered

[rockhopper]

Great day for it, Colla - looks so much nicer in the snow.
Nice set of photos - esp the one looking down on Loch Ossian - cheers

[foggieclimber]

Very nice. Good choice of hill. Beinn na Lap and Leum Uilleum are excellent viewpoints.

[Collaciotach]

Very nice. Good choice of hill. Beinn na Lap and Leum Uilleum are excellent viewpoints.

Aye was saving for just such a day ... Leum Uilleam looks a belter

[Collaciotach]

Winter is great for repeats

Nice sunrise photo, and great views all around.

Looked a nice wee day out for you and the wee one.

Cheers.

Cheers Doot good to se ya back

[weaselmaster]

Great day out Colla - some fine pics - love the one of Loch Ossian and of an cu looking frosty
I'm minded to get the train in to do Beinn Pharlagain and Leum Uillium over a weekend, if I can get my head round the timetable

[Collaciotach]

Great day out Colla - some fine pics - love the one of Loch Ossian and of an cu looking frosty
I'm minded to get the train in to do Beinn Pharlagain and Leum Uillium over a weekend, if I can get my head round the timetable

Met a lassie on the top (in snowshoes) she came up from Crianlarich and looked to be camping ..plenty good spots around Ossian

Timetable link ....
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/t ... utwardJump

[simon-b]

Brilliant photos, Collaciotach. Definitely not a dead month in the mountains, particularly when the sun shines like that.

[kevsbald]

Just stunning.

[mgmt!]

thats what its all about, brilliant photos .

[malky_c]

Love that photo of the islands in Loch Ossian (and all the other ones too ). Would have felt a bit vulnerable taking the train out in conditions like that - the one home might get cancelled!