NW-SE traverse of Bidean nam Biam. Weather: W/SW 15-25mph, dry (snow from 5pm) -3 900m. SAIS Glencoe 300-880m NE Localised Moderate corrie headwalls gully tops 880+ N-E Moderate NW Localised Moderate SE Localised moderate.
We discussed routes around the avalanche risk, and wanted to avoid N-E aspects. We decided on a NW-SE traverse of Bidean nam Biam, using a vehicle shuttle.
We headed up the NW slope of An t-Sron. The snow was deep and soft and there was no ice and it was hard and slow going. The plateau south of An t-Sron was full of deep soft snow and a mental note was made to consider turning back if this continued as we were moving slowly and it would make for a very long day. However, once we reached the NW ridge of Stob Coire nam Beith, the snow was less deep and we were able to move more quickly up the ridge, moving between the soft snow and rocky outcrops which weren't iced. There were fabulous views across the Highlands. We kept a careful eye on the small cornices along the corrie rims and made our way along the ridge SE to the summit of Bidean nam Bian. The visibility dropped and it started to sleet. We progressed to the final summit, Stob Coire Sgreamhach and visibility worsened to 50m. We walked SE along the edge of the SE corries, to the small bealach at 164528. We then walked on a bearing down the south and then SSW slopes. The snow was very soft and slippery. We reached the forest edge at 161515 and walked along the east side of the stream to the road.
Area :
Glencoe South (Loch Linnhe To Loch Etive)
The southern side of Glen Coe includes some very well-known mountains and can be split into two groups; the ones you can see from the A82 and the ones you can’t. Included in the former group is Buachaille Etive Mor, Buachaille Etive Beag, the Three Sisters and the Ballachulish Horseshoe, and in the latter, three Munros between Glen Creran and Glen Etive (Sgor na h-Ulaidh, Beinn Fhionnlaidh and Beinn Sgulaird). With huge amounts of climbing and walking in summer and winter, this area is also home to a large cairn built for Queen Victoria, or so the story goes. Includes all major peaks above 600m.
