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The White Corries
End of October and the clocks were going back… Bliss , an extra hour in bed…
However the first significant snows had hit Scotland’s Mountains and the forecast for Sunday was looking rather good…. Bags packed the night before and the alarm was set for 5.30am (well 6.30 body clock time!).
Feeling rather good when woken by the alarm (mainly due to the extra hour factor) I sprung out of bed and set about defrosting the car whilst making some porridge and getting set to go.
-3 degrees and the skies were clear as I headed north on the A9 aiming to meet Gerry at Choire Collie at a leisurely 0830 am. Arriving in unison we discovered out first problem of the day – finding a parking spot!! The place was heaving and it seemed a few cars had been there overnight judging by the frost on the windscreens. Subsequently we met a few people coming back down form the bothy after an adventurous evening.
start o day by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
Winter gear on for the first time this season and we were soon saying our hellos to the Wee Minister and not long after started heading up the slopes of Stob Coire Gaibhre. The snow line was reached and the landscape turned white with the monochrome landscape contrasting the bright blue skies. What a day it was turning out to be. After stopping for a small time on Gaibhre, we were soon heading up the 15th highest mountain in Scotland. The snow was laying a few inches deep and the rime was plastering the boulders. From our viewpoint the Grey Corries lay before us with The Aonachs and Ben Nevis providing a suitable back drop.
Ben Nevis and The Aonachs by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
The Grey Corries by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
The slight breeze that had greeted us on Claurigh was now disappearing and the sun was beating down. I had to delayer and was soon striding along the ridge in my base layer, felt more like the Alps than Scotland! Days like these live long in the memory and we just took our time enjoying the views as we made our way along the ridge. To the south the great mountains of The Mamores, Glencoe and beyond were all instantly recognisable. Eventually we reached our final peak of the day – Stob Coire Easein and decided to leave Choinnich Mor for another day, a great excuse to return!
Sgurr Choinnich Mor by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
Across Glen Nevis by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
lone hiker by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
The day wasn’t over yet though as we still had a fair bit of walking to do. We had managed to park at the parking spots nearer the gate so decided to take the old tram line back to the car.
descent by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
A nice route although one of the burn cross resulted in me slipping and face planting the rocks – I was thirst anyway so took the opportunity to have a wee drink
What a grand day
