Glentrek

As we get older (me included) it's important that we try and keep ourselves in good nick when in the outdoors. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has put together an excellent exercise plan for those of us who are in the mountains...

readymag.website

An Socach - A short drive for a change and an ascent from Baddoch in Glen Clunie. A nice bright forecast and joined by Graham Penny for the day. Good access to the hill via a decent hill path to the East top followed by the long walk to the West top which is the summit. Great views out to Lochnagar and the Cairngorms. Descended down between the two tops to the landcover track which goes back to the starting point. One point of note I didn't really feel that great right through the day despite the smiling face at the top and was pretty much floored by a stomach bug in the days that followed.

Stob a Choire Mheadhoin and Stob Coire Easain - The Easains are a familiar pair of mountains seen from the Loch Laggan road. Starting from the car park near Fersit the route follows the track along Loch Treig ascending via the Meall Cian Dearg ridge. This is quite a good path compared to what it used to be. Once on the ridge it's pretty good going and we reached the first top giving great views out to the Grey Corries and beyond. The second Munro is a short steep pull up reaching a big cairn. We retraced our steps on our return which is probably the quickest and easiest way back. All in all good day out for us all and a bit of CPD for Mountain Rescue.

Sgurr Mhurlagain 24-7-24 - Back along Loch Arkaig again and that roller-coaster road. There are a few Corbetts in this area some more accessible than others, Sgurr Mhurlagain falls into the accessible category although doesn't feel like it with the long drive. We were joined by Graham Penny a friend and colleague Tayside MRT. The forecast was for showers with rain coming in later in the day. Started from the car park at the road end and headed up the path signposted "Tomdoun". The path is an ATV track and a bit boggy in places. From the col headed up to the ridge and then summit. The top was clear but a bit overcast out and about. Back at the car before the rain came on and didn't hang about too long due to midges.

An Gearanach 19-7-24 - This Munro sits off the main Mamore ridge hence Janey still having it to do. Set off from upper Glen Nevis car park and walked to Steall Falls. This path has vastly improved over the years compared to what it used to be. The river had a bit of water in it so to stay dry we crossed via the wire bridge although Buster had a wee swim. The stalkers path up the hill is very good although there has been a landslip lower down . Weather cleared as per forecast but a bit breezy giving great views to the Ben and Glencoe. Me and Buster scrambled out to the An Garbhanach top and back again. It was really busy by the time we got back to the Steall falls which are obviously now a big tourist attraction.

Broad Cairn and Cairn Bannoch 5-7-24 - By way of a complete change of terrain from last week. I decided to head to these hills as weather option was good and hadn't been up them for a few years. A short drive to Glen Doll and a walk up to Bachnagairn was the route. There are still thousands of trees down on the slopes from previous storms and the massive task of removing them is evident enroute. Good tracks and paths make the going good and a showers made way for a sunny but windy day high up. Still a bit of a trek though and a round trip of 7 hours.

Ben Stack - At 720m Ben Stack rises out of the moorland to form the perfect mountain shape. The forecast was decent and myself and Buster headed away early to get the best of the morning sun. There is a good car park near Achfarry at the end of Loch Stack where we headed up via a faint path to the steeper final slope. At the top there is a trig point and a higher cairn a bit further on. The views from the summit are superb out to the Fionavon range , South to Quinag and the Atlantic. Its really a quick day out and takes 4-5 hours up and down. Drove back to meet up with Janey where Buster got a wee swim in the sea.

Conival and Ben More Assynt - These 2 Munros have been a target for Janey for a while and our week in the far North gave us a good opportunity to get them done. The forecast was pretty decent and started fine and sunny however as we got further up Conival the cloud rolled in. It stayed with us all day but luckily stayed dry until we were just about back at the car. Have also included some photos of our trip from the Scourie area and a walk from Balnakeil bay through the sand Dunes to the sea cliffs of Faraid head. Pretty amazing scenery.

Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh - Day 1 of our far Northwest trip saw us head to the most Northerly Mountains in Scotland. These 2 Corbett's are climbed from a single track road part of the A838 around 6 miles South of Durness. A sunny but windy day gave great views out to Cape Wrath , Hoy / Orkney and to the other Northern Scottish peaks. Both these hills are rough going higher up with large boulder fields. Needless to say this road route (The so called NC500) is very busy with every 2nd vehicle being a motorhome.

Braeriach 1-6-24 - A great all over forecast gave me the opportunity to pick and choose where to go. Hadn't been in the Northern Cairngorms for a few months so Braeriach from The Sugar Bowl Car park was selected. Great paths make the going good but Braeriach is a long way from anywhere and was warm work going through the Chalamain gap. From there its a steady drop to the Lairig Ghru and a steep pull up via the Sron na Lairige ridge. Fantastic views all round from the summit and brilliant to be able to spend some time at the top of Scotland's 3rd highest peak.

Buidhe Bheinn 18-5-24 - A very long drive took me and Buster to Kinloch Hourn , this stands at the East end of Loch Hourn and is the starting point to walk in to Barrisdale and the Knoydart Mountains. An overcast start to the day but as I suspected we emerged through the clouds giving amazing views. The summit is just to the South of the South Glen Shiel ridge with similar type terrain. We descended back into the cloud which cleared as we got near our starting point. Finished off with a plate of soup at the very handy Loch Hourn cafe.
Mayar 18-5-24 - Janey opted for a local Coire Fee circuit up over Mayar and back via the Kilbo. Heavy showers on the way down.

Ben Hee 11-5-24 - A couple of nights in Lairg and a great forecast gave us a good starting point to head North West along Loch Shin. Parked up near West Merkland and headed up the path onto the summit of Ben Hee. At 873m it's height and location gave us amazing views out to Ben Hope , Fionaven and Ben Stack. A brilliant warm day and didn't see anyone else during the whole day.
Carn Chuinneag 12-5-24 - Up and away early heading down Strathcarron from Bonar Bridge. Parked up next to the entrance of the Alladale Wilderness Reserve walking past Glencalvie Lodge. There was a thunder storm forecast so got a bit of a march on down Glen Calvie. Janey headed back to the car for a swim in the river but me and Buster headed up the stalkers path over the 830m top then onto the 838m true summit. Met a couple of folk on near the top and a few folk in the Glen but it is quite an out of the way place.

Ben Cruachan and Stob Dearg (Taynuilt Peak) - West was best for the weather as it had been for the past week , so headed to Loch Awe for the steep ascent of Cruachan. A muggy and overcast morning gave a slightly cooler ascent up to the dam. From there a walk along the West side of the Reservoir heading up the path of Coire Dearg. The summit of Cruachan is surrounded by a boulder field and is marked by a ruined trig point. Headed West out to the prominent Taynuilt Peak with a wee bit of hand work on the rock here and there. It cleared brilliantly on the way back which made for a warm steep descent. A good hard hill work out !!

Carn Bhac 12-4-24 - Been a few years since I've been here so with the weather coming in opted for the short ish drive to Inverey. Set off just after 8 from the car park , it was pretty mild and sunny but there was a very strong wind. The cloud level was dropping but just about managed to get a bit of a view from the summit. Had a conversation with a couple who were heading up Glen Ey , the topic turned to the weather , rainfall etc. Turns out both worked for SEPA so were experts in their fields. Just wish folk would actually get out and see what is happening and listen to what the experts have been saying for 3 decades now.

Norheimsund , Norway March 24 - A 2nd trip to Norway in the past couple of months for me and a 1st for Janey. There is a short regular flight to Bergen from Aberdeen and within an hours drive can be in the mountains. We opted to stay on the shores of the Hardangerfjord in Norheimsund. Day 1 headed up to Kvamskogen to have a day on cross country skis, there are some fantastic trails all over the area. Unfortunately Janey had a few tumbles resulting in a painful swollen wrist later in the day. Day 2 meant a trip to the Doc and an unscheduled trip to Voss where it was confirmed she had a wee fracture and was put in a lightweight cast. Not to let it get us down we visited the Steinsdalsfossen waterfall and on our final day travelled South to walk up to the Olshidler mountain huts giving brilliant views over the Hardangerfjord. Great short trip and Janey says she'll be back !!!

Glas Tulaichean 18-03-24 - From Dalmunzie , Spittal of Glenshee. A bit of a winter benchmark hill , I can see Glas Tulaichean from my daily dog walk and at a glance can see snow conditions at around 1000m on it's East facing Coire . Decent weather and Spring like conditions today with the summit cornice starting to show signs of collapse. Being a Monday didn't see anyone else today. Just a point of note the hotel charges £5 to park which is well worth it and saves an extra few Km's of road walking.

Stob a Choire Odhair (Blackmount) - A decent Highlands forecast saw me , Janey and Buster head to Bridge of Orchy area. Driving over noticed there had been a bit of snowfall the previous night down to around 400m or so. We had pretty much decided just to do the one Munro leaving Stob Ghabher for another day. There were a few cars already at Victoria Bridge when we arrived and we set off past Forest Lodge. Mist came and went as we headed up to the snowline and luckily it cleared not long after we got to the top. A decent day out taking best part of 7 hours and another one off the list for Janey and Buster.

Carn a Gheoidh - With an upcoming MRT Norwary trip thought I'd better get some practice (like I need it) of deep snow. I always like heading out here as it's good access and you can get a bit of navigation practice when the cloud comes in. There are a few new markers for Hill walkers / Ski Tourers which avoid the ski runs. Quite a bit of wind drift snow on NE / East aspects today and didn't see anyone. The lower ski area very busy with groups today and was back at the car by lunchtime.

Mt Battock 03-02-24 - A blustery / showery forecast saw us head to Glenesk for the first time in 2024. Parked up at the small car park near Milden Lodge which is the normal starting point. On route it was apparent at the amount of "Storm Babet" damage especially to the edge of the roads and beside the burns and rivers. There is good Landrover track access to this hill and we did an East to West loop via Hill of Saughs. It was pretty windy on the summit so a quick break then headed off. Being the most Easterly Corbett this hill is a great viewpoint where today we saw Montrose (and basin) to the Lochnagar and the Eastern Cairngorms.

Ben Tirran 26-01-24 and Beinn Ghlas - Ben Lawers 30-01-24. A couple of days out the past few days with an MRT exercise in the middle.
Ben Tirran - Good conditions on this local Glen Clova Corbett although a bit of water still coming down the rivers from the thaw. What snow there was was pretty hard underfoot.
Beinn Ghlas - Lawers - A decent forecast saw me head to Loch Tay. Left early on what promised to be a clear day. Very windy heading up Beinn Ghlas with lots of ice on the path. Mist and showers started to come in as I headed to Lawers where the whole summit area was thick with ice. Decended back via the North Coire of Beinn Ghlas where I followed the approx line of the path (which was under snow) . Lots of melt / freeze going on at that height so snow was pretty hard.

Some good info on the MCofS website in being prepared and equipped for winter. Here is an article on the use of grippers vs crampons..

www.mountaineering.scot

Creag Dubh - This is a prominent mountain (A Graham and a first ascent for me) is just short of 2500ft. It stands on its own and it's prominent rock face is a common sight as you drive on the A9 near Newtonmore. Started just as it was getting light and up through an old forest to the top of the cliffs on the hill. There are a series of fences up and crossing the hill but these are small and can be easily crossed by style and gate. The ground was solid and every rock slippy but the going was pretty good. Didn't meet a soul and the car park was empty which kind of surprised me on a day like this.

Buachaille Etive Beag 8-1-24 - With the weather staying settled decided on the long drive to Glencoe. Janey hasn't been out that much over the past few months and objective was to get her in about the mountains with a Re-familiarisation on some winter techniques. Very icy all the way up but conditions were great and there were a few folk out for a week day. One point of note don't place a stainless steel flask on steep hard snow unless you dig a wee ledge for it....Think that would have reached the floor of the glen in record time !!

Ben Venue - After the enforced cancellation last week I managed to stick to the plan and head to the Trossachs. My first visit here was 24 years ago almost to the day in not so nice weather. First in the car park and attempted to pay via the parking meter. For the 3rd time this winter in different car parks the buttons totally seized. Managed to pay via the ring go app but seriously what planet are the Forestry commission on having parking machines in some of the coldest places in Scotland that freeze solid ?(Rant over). Good path up but with ice and hard snow patches on the hill. Superb views all round on a day like this. A Very busy place but despite it's lower height it's still a rough winter mountain which needs to be treated accordingly.

Good article !!

Warning as winter rescues rise on Scotland's mountains Volunteers have faced two avalanches, medical deaths and a series of 'very challenging' rescues.

Ben Gulabin 1st Jan 24 - A good forecast and the short trip up Glenshee for this local Corbett. The A93 ski road was very busy even on New Years day morning. Quite a few folk had the same idea as us but judging by the lack of snow foot prints think we were the first on this summit in 2024.

Well that was a different 24 hours ! Plan was to head to Ben Venue but an overnight MRT call out to Glen Tilt / Glen Banvie coupled with an early morning finish meant a change of plan. Luckily managed to get out for a wee bit along the Airlie Ridge for some winter sun.

A friend of mine shared this article a week or 2 ago. A very worthwhile read for all who venture into remote places whether climbing or hillwalking. I like the quote "Don't dress like a sniper"

After the Accident - How to Get Found Alive If you're incapacitated on a Scottish winter mountain then your prospects depend on how well equipped you are, and how quickly you can be found. Roger Webb of Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team...

A very short blast up and down Mt Blair , weather a bit blustery at the top with showers coming through. Had a coffee in Glenshee and then a wee drive to Braemar where the bigger hills had a dusting of snow.

With the first snow already fallen and winter now upon us thought I’d share a few Scotland Winter Mountain photos in anticipation. As with any outdoor activity the rewards and health benefits of mountain walking and mountaineering are fantastic but don’t come without risk and this is especially the case during the winter months.

Before venturing anywhere stop and think about every consideration. Below is my own personal list of what I think about for a winter walking mountain day. The list is not exhaustive and others may have different approaches and ideas. There is lots of information out there !

Ability – Experience , Fitness ,knowledge, medical issues.

Judgement – If it doesn’t feel or look right it usually isn’t , be prepared to change or alter plans.

Time – How long will it take ? In reduced daylight hours leave early to give yourself a safety margin and think about road conditions. If there is snow lying any mountain trip will take longer and will be harder going !

Route / Mountain choice – Even reasonably easy summer mountain trips can in winter become very serious especially on steep and rocky terrain.

Emergency Plan – leave your plans with your family and think about “what if “ , have that in your mind. Know what do and who to contact in an emergency. Be aware that you may not always get a phone signal.

Precipitation (Rain and Snow) – Snow can fall and lie at around 2 deg C , so it might be 8 deg C and raining at the car park but could be snowing up on the mountain. In addition, lots of rain or snow melt can make even small burns / rivers impassable.

Temperature – It’ll be very cold , it gets around 1 deg C colder for every 150m of ascent and that doesn’t include windchill effect.

Wind - Winds can be double plus at 900m compared to sea level and can accelerate depending on terrain. You may struggle to move in an 80mph headwind and could be blown over at 90 - 100 mph.

Poor Visibility – Imagine driving in the fog in the dark without any road in front of you ! In poor visibility you need to have the ability to navigate when the only thing you can see is your compass and your feet. In winter the term “white out” can become reality.

Avalanche – Yes in Scotland avalanches do happen and people can and do trigger them. The consequences of being avalanched are very severe. Therefore, good route selection and avalanche awareness are crucial in winter.

Map and Compass - Always carry a suitable scaled map of the area you are in , it’s good to have it in waterproof map case and carry a compass (with baseplate) and have skills to use them. Electronic devices (phones , GPS) are great and should be used but can’t be relied on all the time also batteries can be affected by the cold.

Footwear (Boots) – In Scotland it’s pretty wet and therefore it’s standard to wear good hillwalking boots (not trainers) . In winter these need to be insulated and robust enough to kick through harder snow. These should be rated at least B1 or ideally B2 and to be stiff enough to have crampons fitted. In addition, it’s always good to wear gaiters as they can keep the snow / wet out and help keep your feet dry.

Outer Waterproofs – Good quality breathable outer hard-shell waterproofs (jacket with a hood and over trousers) are essential to have. Gore-tex is the benchmark material but there are other similar type materials that different manufacture’s use.

Mid layer - Warm mid layers including down or fleece are ideal. Softshell type trousers are now widely available and warm winter waterproof gloves and liners are needed. Remember hat / balaclava / buff as well.

Base Layer – A layering system is a good way to keep you warm and sweat free. Merino underwear is great but there are other types as well. Good quality padded socks and if required sock liners are needed to keep the cold out.

Ice axe / Crampons – These are a must when there is any snow or ice lying. It’s an essential skill to know how and when to use them. Even if the hills look relatively bare of snow the ground high up can be hard and icy where crampons are needed. An ice axe can help balance and can be used to arrest a slip. A standard Ice axe is typically 55-60cm long and general mountaineering crampons should be 10 or 12 points (C1 or C2 type). Point of note flexi micro spikes are NOT crampons.

Extra Equipment – Everything needs to be carried so ideally a 40L + rucksack (with liner) is good. Try and fit everything inside the rucksack as much as possible. Extra clothing e.g. hat, gloves and spare warm kit should be packed and be easily accessible. An emergency bivi bag, bothy shelter , first aid kit , head torch and spare torch / GPS batteries should to be carried. It’s also good to carry a spare battery pack for your phone. Extras such as ski poles , goggles , helmet , avalanche kit , rope , harness and technical kit may need to be carried depending on the activity you are doing.

Food / Drink – Always carry enough for the day and extra if required and in winter a flask with something hot always welcome.

Training – If required there are lots of good training courses available from Glentrek and other qualified providers. These courses provide up to date and relevant mountain-based training.

Information – Use guidebooks , local info and internet for information. Keep up to date with what’s going on as lots of information is available. There are plenty of High Street and internet clothing / equipment suppliers who will provide advice of what is the best for you.

Essential information - Can be found on these sites below and are updated regularly to give people good information. Please use.

Scottish Mountain Weather – https://www.mwis.org.uk/forecasts/scottish
Scotland Avalanche – https://www.sais.gov.uk
Scotland Road Conditions – https://www.traffic.gov.scot
Flooding / Rivers – https://www.sepa.org.uk
Mountaineering Scotland – https://www.mountaineering.scot
Scottish Mountain Rescue – https://www.scottishmountainrescue.org
Tayside Mountain Rescue - https://taysidemrt.org