Carn Gluasaid..or Claire meets winter conditions at last..

it certainly wasn't winter yesterday - pouring rain as we got about 1/3 of the way up Creag nan Damh (the westernmost end of the South Glen Shiel ridge) before deciding we had better things to do.

Today the forecast actually gave hope we might be able to get up a hill.....as long as we made a reasonably early start - and were prepared to get snowed on a little in the afternoon.  So, we decided to look at Carn Gluasaid; the south end of the Cluanie Horseshoe of peaks. It could be added to lots of other peaks if the weather allowed - or we could use the stalkers path which goes to within 300m of the summit as a quick descent if needed (it was!!).

The parking spot was farther along the road than we had imagined; however just as we got there a group of walkers were departing  - possibly people on a winter skills course? The way up the mountain even has a signpost at the start - ironic as the old military road is pretty well obvious!!

The stalkers path leaves the military road after about 1/2 km and wends its way uphill. The path is very well graded and well made (a pleasant contrast to the one we had sploshed up yesterday as well!). Higher up it makes its way through some outcrops before straightening up and climbing onto the plateau. We were grateful for the steps of the other party in front as there were a couple of times where locating the path in the snow was not easy - YEAH WE HAD SOME SNOW UNDERFOOT!  In fact conditions got a little testing at the summit of the peak - with the wind coming in and snow being blown across us (and into our faces on the descent). Poor Claire got an introduction in what winter mountaineering in Scotland usually entails!!! She performed really well on the descent - which was done on a mix of compass bearing and following the path for the first few hundred metres until visibility improved, when we could follow the path down. The path was a mix of slippy rocks and lovely easy going; quite a conundrum as crampons would have been good in parts and useless in other parts - we elected not to and probably made the right decision.

No photo's unfortunately; camera is drying out as we speak.....

Quieter day today.....

although the weather is not as bad as was forecast - which was for gusts of 110 mph and lots of snow. The latter fact is a disappointment - there seems to be very little snow on the Glenshiel hills at all -  and I doubt its falling as snow on the tops as it does not seem cold enough.

The Glenshiel hills? That is because Claire and I are in Scotland for a few days. We left after work on Boxing Day and drove to Tyndrum - where we'd got a good deal at the lodge. Despite the last part of the journey being through driving rain we made pretty good time and had a meal; a couple of beers and a good sleep.

Waking to a cold(er) and frosty morning we now reaped the benefit of leaving the night before. We elected to climb Meall a' Bhuiridh, the northernmost of the Black Mount hills. It also has the benefit (or not) of being the hill used by the Glencoe Ski centre. This means that it is defaced by ski paraphenalia,  but does have a start at over 300m. For unfit types like us, on the first day of our holiday, it was a good choice - it also enabled us to get down early as we had a two hour drive to Glenshiel.

The first part of the ascent is not the greatest as it does follow the ski tow lines pretty much. After about 300m of height gain the path goes right towards pt 749m from which a ridge leads up to the summit. Probably because there were no skiers (and hardly any snow), it actually felt quite quiet.

The view from the top was impressive - the Ben was clear and most of the hills of Lochaber were also. The Easians looked especially good.

Descent was via the same way - with the clouds coming down over the summits and promising snow (which never came); or at least it was until we got down to the half-way point - at which we point we eschewed the path and followed the bike track down. This must be the most difficult; dangerous and badly-designed bike track I have ever seen....it wants to be a high-end downhill course but is SO badly designed it's untrue....

some photo's here:  https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/MeallABhuidridh

No snow at all.

or at least it seemed that way from the top of Beacon Edge this morning. I ran up (jogged slowly would probably be a better description!!) up to Beacon Edge and then picked my way carefully upto the Beacon itself. My excuse for not running all the way up was the extreme slippiness, which happens to be true btw!

It was misty over the Lakes - although none of the promised gales were around; but from what glimpses I could see it would appear that all the snow has gone. Not surprising given how warm it has been here  - but oh so disappointing.

With luck Claire and I will get some snow in Scotland (and at least we are likely to be spared the great trudges through calf-deep snow we had last year)...but I am not holding my breath.

Happy christmas all and enjoy the rest of the festive season.

Finally a new post...

sorry it has been so long; a hard first term at the new school and some not very good weather haven't helped...

Claire and I did go over the Mum and Peter's and go for a walk on Simonside - which involved me having no energy and Claire electing to take half of Northumberland back in her boots!!

Yesterday - was just too tired despite some lovely weather in Penrith - although it was bad on Helvellyn I gather. Today I summoned up a little energy and tried a new (for me) mode of transport.

So; today - the first weekend of the hols for me as school broke on Fri - weird to think I won't be there until late Jan as I start my second school placement on the 4th... As can be seen from the picture below I

The skis.

decided to go for a quick hour or two on the ski's. Looking at the internet it was clear that the Lake Ski club at Raise was going to be open so I drove off to Glenridding.

Not especially fancying the last part of the road up to the mines; I parked at the Travellers Rest (hence the small ski's) and walked up.

 As can be seen from the two pictures below - will post the rest later - it was a glorious day and the snow started just above the Mines and Youth Hostel. HORDES (seemingly at least) of people were plodding up the Sticks Path track (which takes one to the ski-tow) so I elected to go a different way and go towards Whiteside (the path that Claire and I had come down as it happened).
Now, to be fair, those whose idea of fun it is to spend obscene amounts of money to go to France, Italy etc to ski would probably not have thought their were loads of people - I don't and have no real desire to do so - and I'm a grumpy old sod anyway so I went on my own.

I didn't go especially far - this was the first time I had worn the ski-boots outside and there were issues with them and the sock system and tightening I was playing with. I was also still feeling profoundly un-energetic so I skinned up for about 1/2km on some pretty hard ice/snow. Going up was okay as there was a little bank of snow I could follow - it was actually quite fun. I chose to walk down as I am not sure how well I would have been able to control the short ski's on that ice - may yet return with the big ones.



Cross Fell looked amazing on the drive home - will make that an objective if the snow holds - although a thaw below 600m is forecast for Thurs - which is less good.

Roll on Scotland - 8 days and counting.

https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SkiingRecce - are the pictures

Snow is finally here

driving back from lancaster today there was snow all on the Howgills - still not enough for real fun and games but still better than nothing....it is OH so windy though..