
A long and highly memorable 12 hour day. We'd arrived at the Steal Hut at about 3am that morning and it was clear and crisp. A thick frost and stunning views of the Milky Way. However, during the three hours sleep we got, there must have come a teriffic storm as by the time we got up there had been a huge dump of snow. We set off with an ambitious plan to bag four of the furthest Mamores. A trip I had planned a year ago - when we were thwarted by too many river crossings all in full spate and had turned back. This time we were able to cross with relative ease as they were part frozen with a sticky layer of snow. However the fresh snow caused us no end of panting on the way up the stunning cone of Binnean Beag. From here we started up to Binnean Mor and the ridge became rockier. With the recent snow, we were reduced to bum-crawling at times to get to the summit, kicking the fresh snow out of the way. Another knife-edge ridge to Na Gruagaichean with beautiful views of the Ring of Steall and back along the ridge. The terrain became less narrow now, but we were getting tired. It had been hard work fighting our way through such deep snow. Indeed the plateaux between Binnean Mor [Sgor Eilde Mor] and Sgor Eilde Mor itself was particularly deep with snow. The loch completely covered. By the time we reached our final summit we had little time to relish in the day we'd had. All of us I think felt a great deal of pride in this new exploration of some of Scotlands more remote mountains and in extremely challenging conditions. It was fully dark by the time we reached the bottom of the glen and found a feeble excuse of a track back to the hut. I remember us all walking in silence without head torches (the moonlight was good enough to see by, aided by the reflection off the snow). We staggered the last kilometer or so with aching legs. The lights of the hut seeming to get no nearer.
- Significant mountains (Munros)
- Navigation skills practiced despite the visibility - mainly in negotiating deep snow and avoiding walking into lochs.
- My knowledge was increased and skills practiced - Observing the conditions, I afterwards learnt that the cartwheeling snow means the snow is above 0oC
- Attention paid to safety when walking along ridges and in deep snow
- Over 5 hours
- UK winter mountain terrain
- Crampons and ice axes carried though the latter only used for balance.
Area :
Ben Nevis & Aonach Mor (Fort William To Loch Leven)
This area covers the mountains between Fort William, Loch Leven (to the south) and Loch Treig (to the east). The area includes Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg, The Mamores, The Aonachs and The Grey Corries. An impressive 20 Munros are split equally by Glen Nevis and the waters of Abhainn Rath. Relatively accessible from the A82, these mountains hold some classic walking and climbing routes such as The Ring of Steall in the Mamores and Point Five Gully on Ben Nevis. Includes all major peaks above 600m.