Ben Macdui; Loch Lochy Hills - Sròn a’ Choire Ghairbh; and Creag-na -h-Iolaire
Ben Macdui
With a good weather forecast for the day, five of us met at the Ski Centre car park in the Cairngorms. After a quick chat about the route and kit check we set off for Ben Macdui (MacDuff’s Hill). The weather was better than forecast, blue sky with a bit of high cloud, very little if no wind and great snow conditions (a little powder over a hard packed snow and ice) Excellent for some more crampon practise.
Lunch was taken at the top in glorious sunshine after which we followed the same path out at first and then headed for Stob Coire an t-Sneachda (Peak of the Corrie of the snows). A group decision was made to tackle the head wall of the Coire where an inviting steep snow-covered slope led down to the boulder field. A brief chat was had about the route, axe and crampon use on such a slope. It was a chance to practice important winter skills. Then with the sun setting behind the crags of the Coire an t-Sneachda we made our way back to the car park.
An excellent stellar day out in the Cairngorms in winter.
Taking part: Emma, Stella, Matt, Graham and Martyn
Words and Photos: Martyn
Loch Lochy Hills - Sron a’ Choire Ghairbh
We had originally intended to summit both munros, but the NE slopes of Meall na Teanga were heavily loaded with unconsolidated windblown snow and with a large party it seemed more prudent to go for Sròn a’ Choire Ghairbh and return via the Sean Mheall - Meall nan Dearcag ridge.
With four prospective members and one new member in our party, I thought it would be nice to get their perspectives on our day.
New Prospective Member Louise writes - I was excited to join my first meet, having met some very experienced members of the IMC the previous weekend at the Raeburn Hut. The weather was stunning - sunshine and blue skies, and as we walked up through the forest track it opened out into a magical snowy winter wonderland with the bealach ahead. We continued up the zig-zag stalkers' path to Sròn a' Choire Ghairbh having decided not to complete Meall na Teanga due to potential avalanche risk. On reaching the summit we were greeted with amazing vistas of snowcapped mountains all around including a great view of Ben Nevis, as well as the vast expanse of Loch Ness - all that 'blue' in the distance. We descended via the NE ridge and traversed along Sean Mheall (apparently a Simm, Subhump and Corbett Top - who knew?) and Meall nan Dearcag (just a Simm!). The late afternoon light was gorgeous catching the snow so that it sparkled as we made our way across, and reminded me of Alpine outings. However, the seemingly benign snow did hide some deep bogs, with a couple of us experiencing the icy and refreshing water as it flowed over our boot tops! We continued and made our way to the mossy (and slippery slopes) towards the car park. An amazing winter day with great company - thank you all for a memorable first meet.
New Prospective Member Christine writes - A lack of confidence to step into Inverness Mountaineering Club had nearly got in the way of going to the meet, but I turned up at the car park in Kilfinnan with the sun shining and snow glistening on the hills. I’d been given options about potential meeting points and lifts and Arthur had sent details of the intended route and assured me that the group was a mixture of both long term members and newbies and they were a friendly bunch. What a great walk to start on - a track walk in, the ascent through the forest and then on to the open hill gave an opportunity to get to know other members. What a view we were greeted with and it just got better and better.
Great decision making during the day, taking into account the conditions, input from the group about avalanche potential, appetite for risk and the group’s wishes meant a relaxing day with plenty of opportunity for chatting to others, stops and taking in the awesome views. What a diverse group from France, Holland, Canada, Scotland and England. Lots of different ages, a variety of experience and different careers and all with the same purpose of enjoying the Scottish mountains.
New member George writes -The weather - wall to wall sunshine, barely a cloud in the sky and not a hint of wind. What else did you expect in the height of Scottish winter.
The group met at Kilfinnan and set off shortly thereafter, making their way along the South Laggan forest track for around 4km. The real ascent began here, with an initial climb through some forestry before emerging in to the valley (Allt Glas Doire), that runs between the two (particularly snowy) giants. Before long, the group arrived at the Bealach, the point at which both Munros are usually climbed, Meall Na Teanga to the left and Sron a’ Choire Ghairbh to the right.
The group paused as Arthur and Wendell assessed the conditions near the summit of Meall Na Teanga. Due to the amount of unstable snow, the risk of avalanche was too great, especially for such a large party. We agreed that only one Munro would be summited. A short break for lunch, then onwards (and upwards) they marched. Before long found themselves atop Sron a’ Choire Ghairbh. Taking advantage of the splendid views, in which the majestic form of Ben Nevis could be seen clearly, some wonderful photos were taken and poses were struck! The journey was completed with a ridge walk running parallel to the initial path. Along the ridge, the walkers passed over the tops of Sean Mheall and Meall Nan Dearcag, with very deep snow in places. It should also be noted that the group were able to confirm that this ridge walk does include some parts that go up, along with some parts that go down…! Not to mention the sneaky bog monsters under the snow, that have a taste for hiking boots… Thankfully all boots made it home on this occasion, however, you have been warned! This splendid jaunt was rounded off with a slippery descent through a field near Kilfinnan Wood and back to the meeting point!
Taking Part: George, Tim, Anne, May, Wendell, Arthur and prospective members Louise, Benjamin, Christine and Freek with Beinn, Tim’s Collie.
Words and Photos: George, Louise, Christine, Anne, Freek and Arthur
Creag-na -h-Iolaire near Carrbridge
Gina writes - With temperatures below freezing the night before the expectation was for, at the very least, frozen puddles on the track up to this top and possibly a slippery descent from the hill. To our great surprise the going was firm and dry and not a sign of snow on the summit so we fairly romped up the track.
It was a beautiful blue-sky morning with more than a hint of spring: the birds in the small copse near the start calling out and a buzzard mewing in the distance. We stopped to take a brief look inside an old shooting hut beside the track. My memory of it was as a solid shelter for weary storm-bound walkers but nowadays it is open to the elements and largely a shelter for sheep!
After a short sunny lunch stop we reached the main top which did not disappoint; there were very fine views across to the west, where at last we saw snow-clad mountains. On the way down we disturbed a mountain hare. It shot off only giving us a brief glimpse of its white and mottled coat.
We were back to the car by 1.30 pm having enjoyed the craic and the hill.
Prospective member Hazel writes - Ewen, Gina, Emma and Hazel set off for Creag na h-lolaire north of Carrbridge. The weather whilst cold first thing was incredibly sunny and shaped up to be a lovely spring walk. There was a good forestry track most of the way up. An old bothy was found halfway up the track, which has since become the residence of local sheep. A small trek off the track across the moorland led to the summit of Creag na h-lolaire, where they enjoyed lunch with a fantastic view of the snow covered Cairngorms. A short walk off the hill lead to another forestry track, proving to be a nice circuit walk.
Taking part: Ewan, Gina, Emma and prospective member Hazel
Words and Photos: Gina, Hazel, Emma and Ewen
