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With a last minute day off after looking at the forecast I decided to head for the hills before Saturday's rain arrived
I was thinking about doing Ben Wyvis but met office suggested there could be some cloud hanging around so I had Ciste Dhubh in mind as a back-up plan. On the drive over I saw the cloud hanging over Ben Wyvis so it was off to Kintail for me!
There was some light mist coming and going on the drive over down in the glen and when it cleared you could see the clear blue skies over the mountains - it was going to be a stunning day. I started walking just after 8 and the views just kept getting better on the walk up to the bealach
It was hard work breaking the trail, I met a guy at the top who thanked me for making the footprints! The spectacular views more than made up for the effort involved.
Took my time going over the corniced ridge and stopped to put on crampons just before the final stretch to the summit, this route really had a mountaineering feel in these conditions. The weather was perfect with hardly any wind and it was warm in the sunshine.
I saw lots of red deer and a jet flying down through the glen. Walking back down to the bealach must have taken less than half the time it took to go up, much easier descending through the soft snow
I had previously climbed the Corbett so wasn't sure if I would just go back down after Ciste Dhubh but the weather was so good that I decided to stay high for a bit longer to enjoy the views and went up Am Bathach on the way back. Brilliant views looking back to Ciste Dhubh and across the Kintail hills and beyond - even Ben Nevis was clear!
A very memorable day out in stunning winter conditions - who needs the Alps when we get days like these
