Another fail, for Creise sake!!

[smudger831]

After doing Meall a'Bhuiridh a few weeks ago and chickening out on Creise I decided to give Creise another go this weekend as my walking buddy and Bob (the dog) was up for the weekend. We had a shock on arrival at the ski centre as there was a mountain biking downhill event on and the car park was mobbed.
After getting kitted up we started off up under the chairlift. Only to stop after 10 minutes and get full waterproofs on as it started chucking it down. Worryingly enough the wind was picking up as well. By the time we got to the top of the chairlift it was gusting really badly and we had been caught in a few hail showers which was not pleasant.

Quick break inbetween rain/hail showers

We decided to try and head for the summit of Meal a'Bhuiridh and see how the weather conditions were before heading over to Creise. Walking over to the base of the next hill was a bit of a struggle as the wind was right in or faces and quite difficult to walk in. After another half an hour of walking up hill it started pouring, then hailstones and finally it started snowing. We took shelter behind some rocks to see if it was just a passing shower but after 10 minutes with no let up we decided to call it a day and head back to the car.

Please let me go home...

We got back to the top of the chairlift and turned round to have a look at the summit; clear as a bell with not a cloud in site, although the sky behind it did look very dark. I think we did make the right decision turning down but thats twice I've been up there and failed to get Creise - hopefully third time will be lucky.

Time to head back

[metafor]

Yes Smudger831! It is certainly brain-bashing , mind-numbing , soul-destroying , stuff when you have to make the decision to turn back , but believe it or not ! it is always the right one , because there will always be a better day to come, and just rermember as well - that it takes more guts and savvy to make that decision - been there a wheen o times!!!!!!!! I have included some photies for you to peruse and hopefully encourage you and your buddies![img][img][/img]

[neilh23]

Have to say I agree with metafor on this one. Did both of these with friends last July and got exactly the same weather, yes even snow. I have never been so cold up a mountain. A couple of weeks ago we did Ben Narnain and then set off to do Ben Ime. We got half way up Ime and had to turn back. So close and yet so far but the right decision, one for another day.

[neilmci]

I was lucky enough to climb these last year on a lovely day where you could see for miles in all directions. It was such a nice day, i even took in the other top that is up there (I think it used to be on the list?) just in case!

As a result, this is still one of my favourite routes.

I would save these ones for similar conditions as there is not much in the way of shelter up there especially if it is windy.

The route over the bealach is usually windy enough due to the funnelling effects of the surrounding hills on a calm day, so I would not like to try and cross it when it is blowing full pelt with hail stones!

[monty]

Good call Smudger. You have to know when to call it a day. Good excuse to go back in the summer.

[smudger831]

Thanks for the comments. It will be third time lucky but I think I know every blooming rock under that chairlift by now so I may use it next time and cut out the initial boring climb and then descent.

[Wilco de Jonge]

The picture of Bob "please let me go home" is great! The pic of the year.And you did listen By the way, did you give this M another try?