Roger & Paul’s Scottish Winter trip

With no proper Scottish Winter trip organised by GMC this year, myself and Roger decided to go away for a week during the half term break. We decided to give our selves a bit of luxury this year, no staying in spartan mountain huts for us, the luxury of not sharing a bed with several others, ensuite bathrooms, working drying rooms, kitchens with sharp knives and non stick frying pans was just too much to resist. We booked into the Corran Bunkhouse, greeted by a very friendly owner who welcomed us, not surly hut guardians who resented us being there….

We stopped off on the way north so were able to grab a walk on the Saturday. Set off from the station at Bridge of Orchy at 1pm. Met a few people heading the other way off the hill, got to the top around 3:30 then back to the car before dark.

All week we were hampered by the snow conditions.

Some days were better than others! But it did give me plenty to thin about and put in my Winter ML logbook.

The next day we selected a route into the Mamores to walk up Stob Coire a Chairn from Kinlochleven to avoid the loaded NW-SE slopes. We bumped into a Joint Services and PYB training teams, so felt good about our decision making for our route. We made it to the Bealach but the forecast 50mph+ winds had already arrived, so we turned around, and retreated to the Ice Factor for a coffee.

Tuesday gave us a break in the weather, winds up to 30mph, and only snow showers. Beinn Sgulaird fitted the bill, being a long west facing ridge. After starting in a heavey snow shower, the sun came out for the rest of the day. A superb day with views out to Mull and Ardnamurchan in the west. As it was my Birthday, in the evening we caught the ferry across to the Ardgour Inn for a meal and a pint or two.

Wednesday the forecast was for 90-100mph winds, so we decided to have a rest day. We investigated the bright lights of Fort William, Roger was tempted by some of the shiny things on offer…. We investigated the shore line back at Corran Ferry and were delighted to spot an otter swimming around the jetty.

Thursday brought more snow and less wind, so we headed back to Kinlochleven to try our luck in the Mamores again. This time we tried the south ridge of Na Gruagaichean. Driven back by the wind and show just before we go to the top of ridge, so back to the Ice Factor for coffee and cheesy chips.

Friday gave us a similar forecast again, but picked a different route this time, Sron a Choire Gharbh. The journey up the Cam Bhealach became more and more snowy, and there was much evidence of avalanche activity down to the path. Eventually I decided the place was just too risky the keep going, as well as extremely hard work wading through the powder.

We retreated to coffee at the community cafe in Fort Augustus.

Our last day gave us a break in the winds and snow showers. Forecast to be 25-30 backing to 15. We went back to Kinlochleven third time lucky? We were in luck there was a team of about 10 half an hour in front of us to break trail for us to the bealach. Once on top of the ridge we donned crampons and headed on up to the summit of Stob Choire a Chairn. We passed one scary section of windslab on hard ice which we gingerly skirted. At the summit there were brief views of the Ring of Steall. The ridges looked really laden and scary.

We then headed back over the summits of Na Gruagaichean, with some excitement getting up and down the bealach between. The cornices on the ridge were just enormous, and very carefully avoided. We were well aware of the dangers as 3 people had already fallen through others this week.

The week proved very challenging to find good routes, but we had a great time making the best of the conditions. Scotland always provides a challenge in the winter. We only managed to get to the top of 4 Munros, but think we made the right decisions to keep us safe on the hills.

I hope this report will encourage those that missed out this year to give it a go in Scottish winter.