Coire an Lochan - Tuesday 23 December 2014

 Looking up to Fiacaill Ridge on the walk in to the Coire

 Loads of Ptarmigan about today sheltering from the strong Westerly Winds

 Coire an Lochain

 Once we'd gained some height, the snow pack improved, variable snow conditions

Gary enjoying the firm snow on the climb up

 Lots of snow on Easterly facing aspects

 Some reasonably big cornices starting to form

 That mountain air makes people do strange things on the Cairngorm plateau

Gary enjoying the views into Coire an Sneachda

Amazing looking sky on the descent

Today I was out with Gary and we had a great day in Coire an Lochan in the Northern Cairngorms. After the mild and wet weather of the last few days, it was back to winter and the snow pack had consolidated giving reasonably hard snow. Once in the Coire, we headed up the steep ground to the West of the main Coire were we found areas of unconsolidated snow which were easily avoided with frozen turf and ice on the plateau. 

The weather was calm and sunny in the morning with cloud and some wintry showers moving in from the West later in the day. We saw more ptarmigan than people on the walk in today along with a few mountain hares. Once on the plateau, we headed East along the corrie edge to 1141 before descending Fiacaill a' Choire Chais and returning back to the car just before dark, another great day out in the Cairngorms.

A wee Ski tour on Cairngorm - Saturday 20 December 2014

 Dave getting to grips with being able to walk uphill with skis

 It's hard work this skinning

 Pose for the camera

 Stunning views to Loch Morlich and Meall a Bhuachaille

 Atmospheric light to the West

Just below the summit of Cairngorm

After a showery morning, Dave and I headed to the Cairngorm ski area for an afternoon of ski touring. Dave's just recently taken up touring and wanted to go over some of the techniques in the safety of the ski area before going on some bigger adventure's. Fresh snow to all levels with a strong westerly wind and a stunning sunset.

Quality Mountain day on Beinn Sgritheall - Tuesday 18 November 2014

Loch Hourn from Arnisdale

Gary on the ascent, Beinn Sgritheall on the left, Beinn na h-Eaglaise on the right. 

Beautiful backdrop to Arnisdale on the ascent 

 Bealach Arnasdail.

Well hello there!

 Gary on the steep climb up to the 906m top with Beinn na h-Eaglaise behind.

 Looking NE from the 906m top to the distant Kintail hills.

 Looking South across Loch Hourn to the Knoydart hills.

 Looking NW to the main summit of Beinn Sgritheall.

 Magical day to be out on the NW Highlands

 Looking SE back to the 906m top

Gary enjoying the airy ridges

 Looking West towards The Cuillin of Skye.

 Loch Hourn & Knoydart.

 Gary descending the West ridge.

 Breathtaking views even at 450m

 Looking West back up to Beinn Sgritheall

 Looking out to Eigg and the wonderful sunset

Looking up the coast to Arnisdale.

I think somebody was trying to tell us something, Gary looks worried!

Last week I was out with Gary and we decided to head West to Beinn Sgritheall. Sometimes you've got to let the pictures tell the story and this was one of those days, quality day out West, well worth the early start and 3 hour drive!

Without the Rain there would be no Rainbow - 26 October 2014

 An Lochan Uaine

 Ryvoan Bothy

 All smiles on the way up the East ridge of Meall a' Bhuachaille

 Looking North West from the summit

 Phew, we've made it to the summit!

 Spectacular scenery on the descent

 Looking South East over the Allt na Feith Duibhe

 Emily and Aideen enjoying the view over to Cairngorm

Stormy on the Cairngorm plateau

On Sunday the 26th of October I was out with Aideen and Emily who had travelled North to Fort William with the intention of ascending Ben Nevis but the weather gods had other ideas, heavy rain and high winds were forecast, I might just need to have a plan B...

Whilst en route to meet the ladies I couldn't believe my eyes as an otter appeared from a side street and dashed across the road towards the shoreline, spectacular!
Sunday morning dawned and the weather was abysmal, constant driving rain along with a gusting SW gale which was forecast to be around 100mph at 914m (3000ft), Ben Nevis will almost certainly have to wait for another day.
After speaking to the ladies and with a better forecast, the decision was made to head East to Aviemore and reassess the weather and plans for the day from there.
The drive East was magical with the Autumn colours and there was a remarkable difference in the weather, although the wind hadn't abated much, it was better than the West...
After some breakfast, it was decided that given the current weather conditions we'd head up to the Glenmore forest park, walk to Ryvoan Bothy and head up the East shoulder of Meall a' Bhuachaille whilst getting some shelter from the SW side of the hill. All went to plan and Aideen and Emily made it to the summit safely, but given the strength of the wind, we were forced to retrace our steps back down the East shoulder before an alternative walk back through the Glenmore forest.
Thanks to Aideen and Emily for a grand day out...




    

Ben Liath Mhor Fannaich 16 October 2014

Looking North towards The Beinn Dearg hills, weather looks promising at this point

 Looking East towards Ben Liath Mhor Fannaich

 Looking North down the Abhainn an Torrain Duibh

Ptarmigan (Lagopus Muta) starting to change to its winter plumage

Today I was planning on traversing the 4 Munro's that make up the Eastern Fannaichs but the weather had other ideas. The forecast was for conditions to improve in the afternoon before deteriorating again in the evening. By the time I arrived on the summit of Ben Liath Mhor Fannaich, the very strong SE wind was now gusting even stronger with intermittent rain sleet and hail, not very pleasant, time to head back!

After coming through the cloud base, which was now at 600m, I had a great walk back listening to the stags roaring in the distance, great but wild day!

Ballachulish Horseshoe (Beinn a' Bheithir) 01 October 2014

Looking up to Sgorr a' Chaolais and "The Dragons Tooth"

Looking West towards Sgorr Dhonuill 1001m from the Col

 Looking East towards Sgorr Dhearg 1024m

 Gary looking North from Sgorr Dhearg

 Sgorr Bhan and the distant Glencoe Mountains

Gary enjoying the sun and views before ascending Sgorr Dhonuill

 "The Dragons Tooth" and Ballachulish far below

 Are we going up there? East ridge of Sgorr Dhonuill

 Looking east to Sgorr Dhearg from Sgorr Dhonuill

Breathtaking views in the late afternoon sunshine!

Gary descending the stone shoot

Last week I was out with Gary and after much deliberation we decided to head for Beinn a' Bheithir or as its more communally known The Ballachulish Horseshoe. Having previously been on this mountain in winter and not making it to the summit, it was time to settle the score!

As it was still cloudy and wet when we arrived in Fort William, I suggested to Gary that we pay a visit to Nevisport for some breakfast, the forecast was for cloud and rain in the morning with conditions improving vastly in the afternoon, by the time we arrived in Ballachulish the rain had stopped and the cloud was lifting, the delayed start had worked a treat, it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game!

After walking through the beautiful forest it wasn't long before we were at the Col layering up in the cold SW breeze, we really are spoilt here in Scotland, this was going to be an amazing day!

First up was Sgorr Dhearg returning to the Col and then some airy scrambling on Sgorr Dhonuill before descending the rather loose stone shoot, not for the faint hearted!

Another amazing day out and we had the hill to ourselves all day!