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Another Saturday, another lunchtime finish in Helensburgh. I desperately needed some hill time so with boots chucked in the car I headed up the A82. I had no real plan in mind but as I reached Arrochar I decided to visit some old friends.
The car park was busy and it was very cold as I set off up the path. It was a familiar route and I made quick progress up the good track.
Looking down Loch Long
As I cleared the forest I was attacked by a snow shower which didn’t last too long but thanks to the wind was fairly painful
It was very cold – which meant there were lots of impressive icicles
The Cobbler ahead
The snow shower passed and the sun came out making the snow sparkle
I was into the snow which had made the path quite icy and also looked like Christmas
Impressive crags beneath the Cobbler
The snow shower returned!
Once I hit the snow there were hardly any people although this couple following me looked woefully underprepared….
And sun again
There was a lot of loose snow around so I thought climbing up the corrie was probably not a good idea. The river looked amazing though….
This mountain is so impressive!
I met a couple of people returning along the path – they warned me it was cold and that I wouldn’t get any further. Challenge accepted
Further on, the wind was very strong and it was making it difficult to walk. The spindrift blowing around made it hard to see but I remembered that last time I was here it was windy here and fine on top so I persevered….
Looking up I could see 2 people coming down….I stopped to put crampons on here as the snow was bulletproof
With crampons on it was easy to climb. As I climbed higher the views opened out magnificently to Beinn Ime
And some very cool ice formations
Cool snow
As I approached the summit I could see Beinn Ime…
The impressive crags of the North top
And the way ahead to the summit – it looked amazingly alpine!
And finally I was there
Beinn Ime
Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain & The Cobbler
The Brack & Ben Donich
Mebbe not one for today….
The Brack
Ben Lomond
Ok, it was still pretty windy
Snow and wind both stop at the same time
I was tempted but it was windy and icy and realised it would be a daft idea
Eventually it was time to go – it was cold and windy. Looking back up the ridge was incredible
Quick way down
Looking back up
I headed back down the way I’d come up…
At this moment I had delusions of grandeur…. Why not go up Narnain as well? Back at the path I continued along it a short way before breaking off up the shoulder of Beinn Narnain.
Looking down towards Beinn Ime
The Cobbler
Looking down towards the Rest and Be Thankful during another snow shower
Some pretty awesome cornices with Ben Vane behind
It was tough going – on this side of the mountain a lot more fresh snow had collected and some was quite steep. I had my 50p sunnies on the keep the snow blowing into my eyes but this made visibility more difficult
The final pull to the summit
The sun hitting the top of the Cobbler and some impressive spindrift
Summit in sight!
Beinn Narnain summit – easy peasy!
Ben Lomond (oh look, another snow shower!)
But despite the sporadic showers, the views were tremendous and I felt the stress and hard work of the previous few weeks melting away
Spinning around with happiness I caught a crampon point in the ice and face-planted spectacularly
Whoops
Looking back to the summit
Care resumed, I checked the map and decided it looked ok to continue down the ridge. It’s what I’d done last time
Turns out my memory isn’t quite as good as I’d thought
The scramble down the side of the Spearhead was very icy and full of holes – I hadn’t even remembered this bit from before! However, with the aid of crampons, ice axe and my backside acting as a 5th point of contact I was safely down. The next section was also interesting – I was very appreciative to the people who had been down here already as I could largely follow their footsteps and didn’t need to cut too many steps
It had been so steep I was underneath what I’d just come around
Mental face
Continuing along the ridge I could look back at what I’d come down – pretty impressive!!
The rest of the descent was easy – an outcrop provided a nice spot for some more photos as the snow showers seemed to have stopped at last
Looking down Loch Long
Looking North – I think this must be Ben Vorlich
Clearly the showers weren’t over afterall
I managed to fall into a waist-deep snowdrift which made for some entertainment
Eventually I was out of the snow, the crampons were off and I’d even found a path!
Ben Lomond
The last section of descent was steep and icy and there was some imagination needed to get down in safely
Some deer!
On the track it was an easy (and squishy) walk alongside some impressive icicles
Loch Long
Ben Lomond
It had turned into an incredible evening and I was so happy to out. A last look back at the Cobbler before I reached my outward path and dropped down to the car.
Arriving back at the car, my pockets were full of rubbish from the path
Who takes M&S cucumber with herb dip up a hill?!
Still, a magical afternoon full of fun and practising skills
