East Kintail Hills - Carn Ghluasaid, Sgurr nan Conbhairean and Sail Chaorainn - Wednesday 25th March 2015

On Wednesday I was back West again to the beautiful and remote area of Kintail. With another great forecast which was due to deteriorate by late afternoon, time was of the essence. As a hill-goer watching the weather becomes almost an obsession and when the opportunity comes along, you have to make the most of it. A lot colder than of late with fresh snow above 700m.  

 Looking up to Carn Ghluasaid (957m) on the ascent of it's South facing slopes, it's not until you summit, then the mountain reveals it's true character.

 Loooking SW across Loch Cluanie towards The South Glen Shiel Ridge.

 Rock ptarmigan starting to moult from Winter to Summer plumage.

 Looking into the snow clad North facing corries whilst en-route to Sgurr nan Conbhairean.

 Impressive views to the South, from left, Aonach Mor, The CMD Arete and Ben Nevis.

 Massive glide cracks that had been covered by last nights snow fall, surprisingly, somebody in front of me had decided to walk across these huge unstable cornices. 

Looking North towards Sgurr nan Conbhairean (1110m). 

The breathtaking views out to the West, just stunning.

 A' Chralaig and the distant Brothers and Sisters ridges behind.

 Looking North to Sail Chaorainn (1002m) and the distant, Glen Affric hills.

 Whilst I was looking North, I witnessed a big release on an East facing aspect.

 As I made my way to the last munro, Sail Chaorainn, the wind really started to pick up as cloud approached from the South West.

 Looking South towards Sgurr nan Conbhairean from Sail Chaorainn, the feeling of remoteness was huge.

 Looking North West towards Mullach Fraoch-choire.

 As forecast, the next weather front approaching from the SW.

 Looking back to Sail Chaorainn and Sgurr nan Conbhairean on there less inspiring Western slopes.

 Huge glide cracks.

 As the weather front approached the light was amazing.

 Looking back up to Sgurr nan Conbhairean on the descent just as the cloud moved in.

I wasn't alone!

     

Alpine conditions on Ben Nevis and the Carn Mor Dearg Arete - Saturday 21st March 2015

Another day and another great forecast. With that in mind, Dave and I headed west again for an ascent of the CMD Arete and the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. The ascent and traverse of the CMD (Carn Mor Dearg) Arete, combined with an ascent of Ben Nevis makes for a demanding but classic mountaineering day out. Even with height gain, conditions were just amazing and the views were to die for. The snow pack was well frozen although softening up by late afternoon, another magical day out in the Scottish mountains, could it get any better!

 Dave walking up the track next to the Allt a' Mhuilinn, with the North face of The Ben in the background.

 As you gain height, you are rewarded with stunning views back over Caol, Corpach, Loch Linnhe and loch Eil.

 Carn Mor Dearg (1220m) on the left, Ben Nevis (1344m) to the right.

 Lots of snow on easterly aspects, it may be spring at lower altitudes but at this height winter still has a hold, even with the warm temperatures there were signs of riming. 

 Dave almost at the summit of Carn Mor Dearg, the snow was in fantastic condition.

 The North Face of the Ben in all it's splendour, a magical place if your a climber, scrambler or Winter mountaineer.

 Now the fun really begins, looking along the CMD Arete, despite the route being technically quite easy, it should not be underestimated, once established on the CMD Arete, there are no safe escape routes.

  

 Snow Bunting.

 Skiers enjoying the snow plastered Easterly aspects whilst Dave and I traverse the Arete.

 Great views of The Ben on the traverse of the Arete.

 Looking into Coire Leis and the little Brenva Face of The Ben.

 Looking back along the CMD Arete.

 After reaching the col (1100m) that marks the end of the CMD Arete, you are now faced with the long and steep ascent to the summit of the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1344m).

 Breathtaking views to the South from the summit of Ben Nevis.

 Unbelievable conditions on the summit of the UK's highest mountain, at least 2.5m of snow still remains, winter is far from over.

     

 Lots of climbers enjoying the great conditions.

 Descending the vast and complex plateau of Ben Nevis. The summit only has about 60 days of good sunshine every year, much of the time it is spent shrouded in cloud.

 Huge cornices, for scale, there are people in the middle of the picture.

 Tower Ridge looking fantastic.

 The infamous Tower Gap on Tower Ridge, steeped in Scottish mountaineering history.

 Looking towards Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe or as it's more commonly known, The halfway lochan from the steep descent down the Red Burn. The Mountain Track is to the left of me.

The Ben looking great in the late afternoon sunshine.

  

 North East Buttress, first climbed in 1892.

Great ending to a great day.

  

The Sun shines everywhere, not just at the beach! Northern Loch Quoich Hills - Sunday 15th March 2015

 Who needs the Alps when you have the Scottish Highlands! Dave and I had an amazing day out in the North West Highlands exploring the Northern Loch Quoich Hills. With wall to wall sunshine, light winds and solid neve, conditions were just amazing. With splendid northern corries and airy ridges, Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich present the most fantastic hillwalking that Scotland has to offer, What a day, just breathtaking! 

   

 Amazing backdrop, Loch Quoich and the distant Knoydart Hills.

 Lots of snow remaining on Easterly aspects, mainly rocky and bare on other aspects.

 Dave enjoying the great conditions on the summit of Spidean Mialach (996m)

 Looking West to Coire Dubh and Gleouraich (1035m)

 Not only was there great snow, sections of the ridge had some great Scrambling.

 Looking East back to Spidean Mialach on the ascent of Gleouraich.

 Looking towards Gleouraich and with lots of snow, Garbh Choire Mor.

 Looking North towards the South Glen Shiel Ridge, a fantastic high level ridge walk.

 Looking East back along the day's airy ridge walk.

 Dave enjoying the superb views to the North.

 Dave enjoying the hard snow.

 Looking back up to Gleouraich on the descent with the well built stalkers path, made for easy walking.

 Amazing sunset.

 Just when we thought the worst was over, we came across a short, steep section with cliffs on either side. Dave using safe travel techniques in Avalanche terrain, note the huge glide cracks up above, not a place to hang about!

 Looking SE towards The Ben.

 Great end to a magical day.

 Amazing colours as the sun set.

Red deer stag on the ridge above keeping an eye on us as we descend.