Weather/Conditions: A lot fo snow, but the start of the thaw. A couple booms through the mist from snow falling down!
Distance/Ascent/Time: 7.2km / 1050m / 9h 45m
Accompanying: James and Kev McK

Primarily a fun day out with Kev and James. I was late for this, so the guys had already started heading into the coire by the time I arrived. Unfortuantely I think I'm the guy they can dingy!

We hoped for an easy winter route on Stob Coire nam Beith - certainly something to get me started as I hadn't yet climbed in winter. Hopes for the preceding winter had amounted to nothing, and we were about to lose the last chance I'd have.


Winter summits & James, Coire nam Beitheach

The hills were about to thaw out. They were still plastered in snow, but the temperature was to rise throughout the day, and it was looking like the start of the spring warmth. Although we had hoped to beat this thaw, we were only at the base of Coire nam Beitheach when the weather caught up with us, and ruled out any winter routes.

But we didn't rush - it was after lunchtime by the time we'd made a decision, and spent the afternoon on the west flank of Stob Coire nan Lochain going over ropework and techniques. From that point of view, it was a brilliant day. A route would have been nice as well!

From the top of our short 'climb' we plodded to the rim of Coire nan Lochain, and from there I could just not help but find a summit. James and I went to the top of Stob Coire nan Lochai while Kev waited on the edge of the cliffs.

Then we headed the easiest way down, into a misted and snow-bound Coire nan Lochain. A weather front arrived when we were mid-way down, and this gave us a drenching back to the car park. We would have been faced with a long walk down the glen, but managed to hitch a lift at the car park!

Photos

Descent & Out