13th April 2012 - Bienn a' Chaorainn

Look closely and you can see some of the biggest examples of Club Moss I've ever seen...

Some interesting snow architecture, a double cornice

Looking towards Creag Meagaidh

A snow shower just passed

Trying to get a good picture that does justice to the snow formations

So this week we have had a rather dramatic return to winter, and I wanted to get out of the house and into the white stuff. I fancied a stroll rather than a big epic day, and wanted to leave the ropes behind so I opted to head up to the Creag Meagaidh area and explore Beinn a' Chaorainn and its associated peaks.

After a reasonably leisurely start, I had a nice long walk in on easy forest tracks before I had to start the slog up hill. The snow line was reasonably high but there was some flurries drifting in every now and again and I was confident the snow would be substantial higher up! However, getting there was a bit of a surprise, as I felt terrible and sluggish, even though I was carrying far less than usual. However I ploughed on and made the first top in reasonable time, taking plenty of pics as I went. I was rewarded with some superb views and interesting snow architecture in the form of some sunken cornices which were being overlapped by new ones. Unfortunately the pictures I took of this didn't do it any justice :(

I continued along the north ridge to the second summit top, and had a spot of lunch just as the wind decided to start picking up - time to leave! I opted to descend the opposite way that I ascended, down toward Allt a' Chaorainn and back towards the A86. Overall it was a good day, stunning scenery, plenty of snow and, apart from a group of 3 I encountered, I had the hills and glens to myself! Tomorrow Anna and I aim to complete the entire Grey Corries round, heres hoping I am feeling in better form than I was today!