Assault on Winter Munroes

To add to the excitement in my life, after we returned from our 3 years in South Africa, our son Tim, (whom many may know) took me to Scotland during his February half term.

We spent 3 days camping at Tyndrum in the snow and climbing Munroes in winter conditions.

The experience must have "fired us up" because we repeated the exercise the next year but staying in a Backpackers hostel in Oban and accompanied by Pete Dyson.

Next time it was the Cairngorms, the 3 of us being joined by more SOC members, Andy and Astrid, Paul, Alison and Carol who were there to walk/climb and ski. A good time was had by all and next time we had 4 days in the BenLawers area. Seven summits were climbed in good conditions generally (some high wind and mist) and this time the party had increased to 5 (see Pete Dysons account in June 2000 newsletter).

Now in these days of Foot and Mouth disease and restricted movement many of us have not had a major foray into the hills for some time. This year's party (expanded to 10) motored up to Callendar, had a short planning meeting and headed on to Glen Dochart near Crianlarich where the first Munro was climbed. It was a hard slog up Meall Glas (960m) but worth it for the view on a perfect day with blue sky and glistening peaks all around. While we headed down hill through snow covered peat bogs and across frozen burns Tim did an extra summit Sgiath Chuil (935m) before joining us at the cars.

We stayed at Tummel Station, a bunkhouse known to Pete and had a good welcome. Whether I am getting soft I don't know but a cheery, warm bunkhouse is nowadays infinitely more attractive than a tent in the snow!

The second day we traversed the Grey Corries in excellent conditions with good frozen snow, light wind and apart from a couple of mist shrouded summits, clear views were enjoyed of all the neighbouring peaks and glens around us. The ridge was narrow in places, making the day a little more challenging and another two Munroes were added to the list ie Stob Coire an Laoigh (1115m) and Stob Choire Claurigh (1177m) plus a number of "tops" not classified as Munroes. Finally we descended steep slopes with soft snow patches to the fence of Leanachen Forest and followed a track back to the cars.

Creag Meagaidh (1130m) was next, a wonderful range a few miles east of Tummel Station by Loch Laggan. It stands in a recently designated Nature Reserve where Golden Eagle and Ravens haunt the high places and which are equally beautiful whether it is summer or winter. After a 2 mile walk in we reached Coire Ardair which comprises a small loch surrounded by impressive cliffs with many snow filled gulleys and ice covered slabs offering excellent winter climbing. Split into parties some chose to climb the 1000ft Rayburn Gulley and then Creag Meagaidh, its summit rising out of a snow covered plateau. Some walked up to "The Window", the beallach between Creag Meagaidh and its neighbouring Munro Stob Poite Coire Ardair (1053m) and then bagged a Munro or two.

Tim, Len Roland and I, after climbing the gully (straight forward but a long way up and with a steep snow/ice ascent at the end) did the 2 aforementioned summits plus a third Munro Carn Liath (1006m) then descended steeply to the main track over a jumble of rocks hidden by snow covered heather back to the cars.

On the last day we returned home via Blair Athol and from Loch Moraig climbed the relatively easy peak of Carn Liath (975m) which was cold and windy at the top..... and lovely to leave!

Back home after an uneventful ride we looked back on a momentous four day trip.

Thanks to all who made it a great experience!

	Search this site powered by FreeFind
	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Assault on Winter Munroes

John Deighton