Hot day out on Meall a'Bhuiridh

[smudger831]

I was dropped off in the ski centre car park and after applying some sun lotion (no, really!) started the slog up under the chairlift

The path by the chairlift

After an hour or so sweating up the hill I got to the first ski lift station and walked along the path to continue up to the summit. Just over an hour saw me up to the top of Meall a'Bhuiridh to some absolutely stunning views in all directions. Ben Nevis in the North back to the Black Mount and the tops over there.

View north to Ben Nevis

View back towards Black Mount

Now at this point I was planning on going over to Creise but I don't really do heights/exposure well and when I looked over towards it my legs started shaking so I decided to call a halt where I was. Plus I was up there on my lonesome and could not see the best way up onto the ridge.

The way over to Creise (Eeek!)

So after a wee walk around and a quick spot of lunch with a wee nip from my trusty hipflask I started on my way back down. Took in total about two hours to get back down as I stopped and was watching some people hang gliding and parascending off of Creag Dhubh and just taking in the views. Quite slippy going down as parts of the path were steep and it was so dry and dusty (again, no, really!).
Popped into the cafe at the ski centre for a wee refreshment (sweet, sweet, beer) while waiting for my lift after an enjoyable day out. Hopefully another few sunny days to come this year.

[ChrisW]

looks like an enjoyable wander - the shot north to Ben Nevis is excellent

[PeteR]

Nice report and pictures. That walk unde the chair lift is a bit of a slog isn't it Did this a couple of winters back and had great views across to the other black mount summits from the top

[rockhopper]

Nice without the haze which we had last Friday.....and given the sunburn on my neck should probably have done what you did and taken lotion

Now at this point I was planning on going over to Creise but I don't really do heights/exposure well and when I looked over towards it my legs started shaking so I decided to call a halt where I was. Plus I was up there on my lonesome and could not see the best way up onto the ridge.

I can understand what you mean here but 'tis a pity you didn't try it as it's honestly an awful lot easier than it looks. I initially thought the same as you but it's fine once you're on it - good excuse to return

[smudger831]

I have company coming up next month so may give Creise a go then. Would it be cheating to use the chairlift for the initial climb up I wonder

[Phil the Hill]

Did this one in deep powder snow and a whiteout, so just followed the ski tows to the top. At about 1000m we came out above the clouds to blue skies, sun and a stunning inversion with just the 1000m+ summits poking out. Applied the sun cream, had lunch in t shirts and saw our brocken spectres. Just shows you can get special moments on even the most seemingly-boring walk. I now tell myself that's what could happen every time I ascend a hill in the clag - hasn't happened again yet though