Celebrating the Bards Day

Again an early start, and a quick view outside didn’t raise my hopes too much –grey,overcast, and as I was leaving scattered rain came whistling up the Glen, giving me the chance to change into rain gear (just in case !)

I drove down the Glen, to the car park situated between Beinn Eighe  and Liatach. My option was to be the western end of Beinn Eighe, hoping to climb up the side of the ‘Triple Buttress’ to the top of Ruadh Stac Mhor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beinn_Eighe and then, dependent on the weather (and my legs !) I would decide whether to do more…

Firstly I had to travel up alongside Choire Dhubh, on what is now a good path, lifting me from the car park, into the snowy terrain ahead, and as I gained height the snow/sleet arrived battering me in my face, as I tramped along

With my excellent navigational skills ( !) I located the split in the path, and took a branch around the side of Sail Mhor continuing to rise as I walked along facing into the now persistent snow, stinging my eyeballs as it battered into my face !

As I wandered further up, towards Choire Mhic Fhearchair I saw fresh bird tracks in the snow ,and saw ahead of me a YBB !…aka as  a Ptarmigan in it’s white winter plumage !I don’t suppose many get so close to one of the se birds, well camouflaged as they are. I continued up the snowy track, towards the Choire floor, with gale force winds peppering the snow/sleet into my face , and I managed to scoop snow out from behind a large boulder, so that I could shelter and eat something… now what to do ? The continual snow had started to build up a lot of wet snow across the trail, and was quite unstable.. I decided I’d try for a while to get to the top of the Corries, and climb to Rhud Stac Mhor , if I could, it being only another 300 mts climb…

I started working my way alongside the Loch, trying to gain height, and get further towards the corner gully which I was to use to climb up to the summit – not as easy as it could be ! The wet snow was covering all the hillside, and I was continually dropping through the snow, sometimes up to my waist in the wet snow,but more worryingly not being able to see the rocks beneath, which could injure me… I kept going for about 30 minutes, had a few ‘close shaves’ and decided I wouldn’t be able to safely get along the Coire, and then there was the likelihood that the wet snow wouldn’t have been safe to climb up… so reluctantly, I decided to turn around, and start to make my way down… easier said than done, the earlier firm snow, had turned to ‘mush’ and I was soon sloshing through wet snow as I went… and as I got lower the snow turned to rain…a miserable  walk back to ‘Wally’, by which time I was soaked and cold.. although another good walk up to the reputedly most beautiful Lochan  in Europe !

So, a nice hot bath…and Macaroni Cheese for dinner…lovely, with Rhubarb Crumble and custard to follow, delish – my own Special Rabby Burns Supper !

I’ll say an early Good night to you all !