This area covers the northern side of Glen Coe and the mountains north of Rannoch Moor. Notable features include the Pap of Glencoe, the Aonach Eagach ridge (home to a few kilometres of horizontal scrambling) and the remote peak of Stob na Cruiache which is generally accessed from the train station to the east. Includes all major peaks above 600m.
Kinlochleven - Sgor Eilde Beag - Binnein Mor - Na Gruagaichen. Considerable avalanche warning on North to Easterly slopes so a Southerly attack on Binnein Mor was chosen. A pleasant ascent through a forested winter wonderland in the new snow from car park (9m) level. Ensuring not to creep onto the Easterly aspect a cautious ascent was made on Sgor Eilde Beag. Although visibility was around 50m the light was very flat making the navigation more of a 'feel' task then a 'see' task, great for sensing contours underfoot. Considerable areas of hard wind slab noted on the Westerly ridge to the 1062m peak with beautifully sculpted cornices forming. A fun scramble, carefully keeping to the Westward side of the North ridge to bag Binnein Mor. It was noticed whilst backtracking that within the 20 minutes my footprints had already been filled with around 10cm by wind deposition. A blustery slog South Westwards through thigh-deep snow on the ridge to Na Grugaichean with brief glimpses of sun and the ridgeway ahead and behind. More caution on the Southern ridge descent towards Leachd na h-Aire and then a good long bearing taken from a small feature to the West of the ridge to land me on the track below with my final footpath back down to the village. Some photo opportunities on the route back with perfect reflections in Loch Leven.
