A hard days snowplodding on the Saturday in addition to two nights imbibing Oddbins Chateau Trois Pour Dix Quid Reserve had taken it`s toll on most of us.We found it hard getting out of bed on Sunday morning,in fact,some of us had found it quite difficult actually getting into bed a few hours previously :)
The previous evening Angus signified his intention to get down to some serious swally by donning his Drinking Hat...
Scott,Stuart and I managed to crawl out of bed at 6.50 am and make a start on tidying the bunkhouse and doing the dishes.Eventually we had to move round the various rooms with the hoover going full blast to rouse the other occupants.I`m sure they appreciated our efforts later that day if not at 7.20 am :)
It had been decided beforehand that there would be a mass ascent of Sgurr Mhic Barraich on the Sunday to share the trailbreaking duties.The Cornwallis entourage however were heading up Glen Shiel in pursuit of his third Munro round,Stuart headed home to Ballater,Craig and Neil went off for some ice climbing on the Steall Falls in Glen Nevis and Angus was still in bed when we left.That left eight of us.
We pulled into the snow covered car park at the shop in Glen Shiel with the daylight just breaking above the Saddle.
Fortunately the path,though icy,had been given a good trampling from folk going up the Saddle in the previous week and it proved easy enough going for us,even the ones with hangovers. We stopped for cigarettes,sweets and drouth removal juice around the 1000 ft mark just as the going got a bit tougher but Jules doesn`t like cigarette smoke so she was sent of in front to break trail for the boys :)
Fag break....
A quick flog up the slopes and out onto the level for a bit followed by a steeper snowplod up to a handy rock for lunch.
We managed to link up the windblown and rocky patches bypassing most of the drifts making it a pleasant day out in comparison to the day before.The views opened up with height...
John B. defies his age...
Iain with the Five Sisters behind....
Beinn Sgritheall made an appearance.The North East ridge looks well worth a visit from Suardalan bothy maybe...
Summit fever breaks out...
A more leisurely approach for the rest of us....
Yours truly with Skye as a backdrop....
Jules has a cup of coffee after her trailbreaking exertions....
The summit...
We must have spent the best part of an hour on top but the need to get back down and the prospect of the long drive home to Glasgow had us heading off....
A zoomed shot of Eilean Donan castle with the huge corries of Beinn Bhan looming behind...
The drive home was notable for the ice crystals on the trees at the Glen Moriston junction.Minus 12 according to one of the other guys behind.We recorded minus 20 on Rannoch Moor on the way up on Friday night.On the run down to Invergarry the weight of the snow on the branches had caused them to lean over and touch the road....
A cracking weekend on the hills to start the year :)
Thanks to Scott for a couple of pics :)
Nice photos. I was going to do the south cluanie ridge this Saturday, but have knackered my knee :-(
ReplyDeleteAs if to rub it in, the word verification for this comment was lamer :-)
Eat your heart out New Zealand,we can compete with the scenery.
ReplyDeleteJammy gets. Wonder when I will see snowy hills in sunshine again.
ReplyDeleteFabulous scenery and well done to the summit! Gonna have to get a Gaelic dictionary :) You are envious of our weather, yesterday in 60's F, today mid 50's daffodils in bud and I'm envious of yours - real winter ...the grass is always greener.
ReplyDeleteTo M.M. Ah, A voice from the south.
ReplyDeleteI suppose you are right. If I lived over there I,d probably spend summer getting away from the heat down a cave.Always fancied underground Alabama after reading a pictorial guide to the vast network of caves there and also under Georgia.It really opened my eyes to the wonders below ground.
P.S.Gaelic is fairly hard to learn.I,m still happily mispronoucing it after 35 years practice. Bob.