Sgòr Gaoith (1118m)
A group of seven club members, three prospective members and guest James travelled to Glen Feshie to walk up Sgòr Gaoith in excellent winter conditions.
Stuart K. writes -
As good as it gets in winter, ideal conditions for the first winter outing of the season. Somewhat treacherous road condition in Glen Feshie providing the crux of the day.
Taking part: members - Chris, May, Wendell, Stuart K, Martyn, Matt, Andrew; prospective members - Tom, Stuart C and Stuart T; and guest, James.
Words: Stuart K.
Photos: Martyn and Stuart K
Meallan nan Uan (838m) and Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn (879m)
This meet report focuses on the reflections of two new prospective members after their first outing with the club to two Strathconon Corbetts - Meallan nan Uan and Sgùrr à Mhuilinn.
Andrew writes -
Setting off in the morning for my first day trip with the club was chilled excitement, owing to the clear skies and -7deg start in Inverness I was wondering if my 3 season boots where going to leave my toes cold! The cold was causing problems of a mechanical nature too, with Arthur's car door freezing open, meaning it had to be held shut before the central heating unstuck the latch. A red squirrel flashed across the road which proved to be our opening wildlife sighting.
The moon was facing off against the sun as we climbed away from Strathanmore, passing some newly planted saplings and crossing some large ice runnels. We warmed as we climbed, helped by coming out of the shade of the glen. We paused at the crest of Creag Ruadh to collect ourselves, the break gave us opportunity take in the Brocken spectres that ethereally come and go with the changing cloud. My first view of this phenomenon in a day that was becoming full of firsts.
Climbing up to Meallan nan Uan, I tried out my new crampons, with advice to walk like John Wayne. I was revelling in the new super power to walk on ice. We made good progress and the clouds cleared to allow views of the forest along Gleann Mienich. Fortunately, the hike to the top of my first Corbett has warmed me and the fog was being blow to the east. It seemed we wouldn't be needing reserves of true grit - Robin even started talking about the perfect winter's day...
After pausing for lunch at the saddle between the two peaks with the frozen loch below, we progressed to the second summit, Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn. It was covered in snow and had spectacular views from Torridon in the west to Ben Wyvis in the east which had a large UFO shaped lenticular could above it. I felt privileged to be in a winter's landscape after recently moving from Bristol and it made me excited about new adventure possibilities.
Some careful foot placement was needed on the way down with plenty of patches of ice, with the sure footed Jan and Arthur leading the way. Martin spotted a ptarmigan hiding in the heather which promptly set flight when I was looking the wrong way. Passing frozen bogs and burns, chatting about how lucky we had been with the weather and views. We had one final surprise and another first for me as Golden Eagle soared past, too quick for my camera, but long enough for memories! Certainly a grand day out and it has me looking forward to the next one!
Martin writes -
Having traversed a frost encrusted Strathconon, four members and three prospective members congregated soon after 9am in temperatures still well below freezing. The tops were clear and snow-capped, but most of the hillsides were not covered. After introductions, the initial steep ascents started up a track, avoiding any slippages on ice patches, before wending through newly planted saplings on the normally wet ground. Conversation flowed as the usual questions on backgrounds, jobs, and how long you'd been in the area came up. It was clear that rockets, software and marine biology backgrounds could all have commonalities.
Once the party reached the minor top of Creag Ruadh there was a split as Richard opted for a gentler glen and bealach exploration, while the main party continued on the round. Sinking cloud revealed a series of fog bows and partial brocken spectre that disappeared as soon as a camera was turned on. Shortly afterwards the final snowy pull to the pointed summit of Meallan nan Uan was in weak sunshine and under clear skies. From the summit views of Ben Wyvis to Torridon were revealed and appreciated. Animal tracks, fox, deer, ptarmigan and possibly hare, were seen in the snow on the descent and lunch was taken out of the chilly breeze.
With the short daylight a decision was made to omit the outliers and to go direct to Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn, Jan breaking trail through soft snow. A short pause was taken to appreciate the view, spotting the outer Hebrides beyond Torridon. Descending the brow of the hill, steep crags were avoided on the north by traversing heather terraces, disturbing a single Ptarmigan, before a last tea break was taken in the last patch of sunlight.
The last stage was to traverse the peatlands, made much easier by being frozen and following Peatland restoration work. Sacrificial lambs were nominated to lead through the bog, in case of mishap, although no-one needed rescuing from the sphagnum today. The group descended as the Golden Hour illuminated part of the Strath and an eagle made a beeline for the sunlit forest.. Grey larches contrasted against the Scots Pine plantations lower down, where it was clear the temperature had not lifted all day. Reconvening as the sun set there was a feeling of satisfaction, of a good winter's day on the hill, and of three happy prospective members blooded but not bloodied.
Taking part: members - Robin, Jan, Richard and Arthur; Prospective members - Andrew, Lucas and Martin
Words: Andrew and Martin Photos: Jan, Lucas, Andrew and Martin
