Lairig Ghru
Braeriach
Lochan Deo
Meall a'Bhuachaille
Check out my future plans for similar walks on: http://www.hillways.co.uk/summer/summer.htm
Ben Lomond
Up Loch Lomond to the Arrochar Alps
The car park at Rowardennan was surprisingly busy for a midweek morning in March and bets were soon laid on the chances of a family of 3 clad in trainers and shorts setting foot on the summit! Following the deforestation of the lower slopes, the mountain is visible for much of the early stages and 20 mins normally sees you out of the remaining trees and on to the open hillside. A great view of Loch Lomond opens out to the south and further afield, the Ochils, Central Belt and even the Pentland Hills can be seen on clear days!
Delicate Footwork on the Summit Ridge
As expected, snow and ice were still very much in evidence on the summit ridge and care was again needed to negotiate the summit ridge up to the solitary trig point. Given several days of higher temperatures and the southerly aspect of the mountain’s main route of ascent, the snow was generally soft enough to take a boot and wherever ice was encountered, it could be by-passed without having to revert to ice axe or crampons.
The Summit
The view north encompassed the familiar Arrochar Alps, the Crianlarich hills and a distant Ben Lawers away to the north-east. A young woman on the summit clad in full winter gear announced she was making good use of a month off work by working her way up the western Highlands. And with that, she cheerfully picked up her ice axe and headed off for Torridon!
The View South Across Loch Lomond
The descent was swift and many groups were passed, still heading up this popular and accessible peak which probably has more repeat ascents (amongst Glaswegians, in particular) than most other Munros. Unsurprisingly, there was no sign of the family in trainers!
On the way home, I couldn’t resist the temptation of having my photograph taken at the beginning of the West Highland Way. Not a walk that particularly appeals to this stravaiger of the Scottish mountains, but it was fun to pretend for a few minutes and to be wished good luck by a few good folk of Milngavie!
The Imposter!Check out my future plans for similar walks on: http://www.hillways.co.uk/summer/summer.htm
Ben VaneYet another visit to the Arrochar Alps this weekend and a return to that straightforward and uncomplicated wee Munro - Ben Vane. Hah!
The southern highland glens are all free of snow now. Up top, the snow is largely confined to the upper half of the higher peaks. When you do encounter the snow, it is generally soft and patchy. But as you climb higher....
Rainbow on Ben Vorlich
The ascent route was the normal one from Inveruglas viewpoint and up Coire Grogain(see Feb 10 entry). A cold NW wind took the edge off the warmish sunshine and the summits of the surrounding peaks were generally clear. A large number of assorted groups of walkers heralded the approach of Spring and improving weather. The steep 600m flog up the SE face of Ben Vane was as unrelenting as always but widening views across to Ben Vorlich and the other Arrochar Alps provided welcome distraction from the toiling. Best of all though, the shapely white cone of Ben Lomond stood out clearly to the SE looking mightily impressive in its winter raiment.
Ben LomondOnce on the summit ridge of Ben Vane things changed markedly and rapidly. The snow suddenly hardened to an icy crust, a strong bitter wind made walking difficult and the air temperature dropped significantly! The remaining 300m distance to the summit cairn proved to be a real struggle. Ice axe replaced trekking poles (got very close to donning crampons), mittens replaced gloves and everything suddenly became a real challenge. Fortunately, after struggling up one particular icy step, the cairn finally hove into view and a brief sense of achievement interrupted the hard concentration. In such conditions, a brief pause on the summit was all that was required and an about turn was followed by another 20 mins of ‘careful does it’ before easier conditions were encountered and a straightforward descent accomplished back down the mountain.
On the Icy Summit Ridge
This was a singular lesson in Scottish winter hillwalking. Apparently benign conditions in the glen belying a different world of winter hazards on the summits all waiting to ensnare the unprepared or unequipped walker. Take care folks and always carry ice axe and crampons between November and April – or be prepared to turn back as soon as your boots strikes ice!
Check out my future plans for similar walks on: http://www.hillways.co.uk/summer/summer.htm
Glencorse ReservoirAfter almost 3 months of snow, the sun has finally come out and struggled high enough into the sky to give a little warmth! Suddenly, everyone’s talking about Spring and buds and bulbs everywhere are beginning to poke nervous green shoots out of the thawing ground. The Pentland Hills near Edinburgh have had their fair share of snow this winter and have at times been plastered completely in deep powder. During the last few days though, the snow has finally started to recede and the combination of sun, snow and increasing daylight suggested a wander into these unpretentious uplands would give a handsome reward.
Walking in from the Flotterstone Inn and up the metalled road past Glencorse Reservoir, everything was bathed in warm sunshine and people, dogs and children were everywhere. The reservoir was still partly frozen though and a lingering chill in the air provided a necessary reminder that Spring still had some way to go before it would need to start paying council tax! This road walk was very much the preferred option today as the hill routes would have proved to be a messy and tiring struggle in soft snow and saturated ground. However, given the settled weather forecast for the next week or so, this is likely to be a temporary state of affairs and a return to the higher routes will not be far off now.
East Kip and Loganlea Reservoir
A friendly fisherman stopped to bemoan the paucity of gullible rainbow trout in the reservoir and he trundled off seeking a more rewarding spot from which to cast his line. A typically scatty collection of Pentland sheep got themselves into a manic state of distress and quite unnecessarily launched themselves across the icy waters of the Logan Burn in order to escape a non-existent threat from innocent walkers. Having reached Loganlea Reservoir, the upper reservoir in the glen, a growing appetite for a late lunch suggested an about turn and the road was followed back down to the Flotterstone Inn car park. Again, the winning combination of sun and snow – now both beginning to lose their influence on the scene – provided a stunning backdrop to the late afternoon landscape.
These soft, rolling hills were beautiful today and there convenience, being so close to Edinburgh, and what they have to offer, should not be underestimated. But now it’s time to return to the high mountains and some not too distant Munros are calling.......
Castlelaw Hill and Glencorse Reservoir
Check out my future plans for similar walks on: http://www.hillways.co.uk/summer/summer.htm
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