free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Its been a while since walking with my old friend Woodsy but today would be our 2nd walk in two weeks. I helped him bag 6 Munros in Glenshee mid November before the snow made an appearance. Today was all about experiencing winter conditions, so we agreed on the steep Beinn an Lochain for some ice axe action
Being a short, relatively local walk, meant no need for a 4am alarm call! We left Glasgow after 7.30am, and started walking 9.15am. It was really cold but the steep start meant we soon felt very warm. The forecast was for 30mph winds and around -10 on the summit.
Looking back to Loch Restil
Route Ahead
You can see the summit covered in snow
Woodsy taking over posing duties
The route up was covered in ice so due care was given, crampons wern't required but would've provided some reassurance.
Views to the Arrochar Alps
Pretty quickly we reached the snow line, the smiles on our faces widened
Snow laden route ahead.
With about 100m to go we found a sheltered spot for a bite to eat, before some serious larking around
We set off for the final steep climb, however the route up the crest of the rocky ridge was non existent being covered with fresh snow. We decided to take a route left of the rdige up a steep rockless face. This turned out to be good fun, ice axe required
Woodsy ascending the steep face
The snow was soft and deep, it was hard going in places. As we reached the top of the ridge we were exposed to the strong wind. Woodsy took over the last 20m, it was easy for me following in his footsteps. And soon we were on the summit, strangely the wind suddenly died
Summit
The other top along the ridge looked great so we went on our way, the sun belting of our faces
And then back at the summit for a sit down and quick bite to eat.
Walking the hills in winter is truly awesome! The landscape changes, providing a glimpse of another world...Moontin Porn at its finest...
With the soft snow, rocky icy path, plus wanting to make the route circular I decided to descend South which would take me to the Rest and be Thankful Car park. Woodsy descended our ascent route.
It was a really nice walk out, and was good to be free of Woodsy's crap patter for an hour or two
Woodsy picked me up at the Car park and we managed to get back to Glasgow before rush hour traffic. This is a fantastic little steep hill, a good taster and confidnce builder for a hopeful winter ahead
. The following week provided more winter fun on two crackers in Crainlarich - Trip report to follow
