9 February 2010 Meall a'Bhuiridh

We were staying at a self catering cottage near Tyndrum for a week of winter fun. My friend Cathy came along having no winter mountain walking experience. She had managed to borrow an ice axe and some instep crampons for the week with strict instructions to ring the owner for guidance. Busy schedules did mean that the phone call had never been made. I spent a little time adjusting the straps on the instep crampons before showing Cathy how to fit them to her boots safely.

A check of the MWIS forecast and the avalanche forecast showed that the conditions were conducive to a good day on the Munros. Decision time where to go? As it was Cathy's first proper winter mountain walk I elected for Meall a'Bhuiridh. If there was any issue the chance of recovery would be much prompter due to the Glencoe Ski centre located on its flanks.

We arrived at the ski centre amongst a mass of skiers and ski boarders on the morning with a definite chill in the air. The route started behind the ski centre and a little path alongside a fence. We were soon dodging large fields of ice and eventually took a more direct route up. Eventually we reached a path that led towards the top of the ski centre's initial chair lift and buildings. One advantage of an open ski centre was the provision of nose powdering facilities and a chance to sit down and admire the expanse of Rannoch Moor in front of our eyes.

Winter walking does mean that you don't stop anywhere for long so we were soon on the move again. I managed to persuade a ski boarder to take our photograph. A task which was taken seriously as landscape and portrait shots were taken with views of Rannoch Moor and the mountain itself. As we walked along I couldn't resist making a 'snow brick' using my axe hopefully I never have to do this in anger to make a shelter. Before the going got too steep I decided that was time to tog up into crampons. Not because they were totally necessary but for Cathy to get used to her borrowed instep crampons and for I to get back into the swing of putting mine on with gloves on. The points biting into the snow was quite noticeable. I was wearing winter boots with B2 crampons so as soon as the snow got more powdery the crampons were off.

We edged slowly upwards but I did not realistically think we would get to the summit in the time we had. I had set a turn round time of 1:30pm from which I would only be prepared to flex slightly to ensure we had enough daylight to get back down.

To avoid the skiers we edged to the north side of the ridge we were walking up. Occasionally we would see an off-piste skier. On this side the low temperature was very evident. I was struggling a bit as solid snow lay beneath a layer of much softer snow so 3 steps forward 2 back while Cathy still had her insteps on. It was inevitable that the crampons had to go on again. After a very brief break we ploughed upwards and I had a feeling we were getting close. 'I can see a cairn' was a very exciting statement to hear. My hunch had been right and at 1:27 we both arrived at the top.

The view was stunning and there was ample use of the camera.

We elected on the way down to follow the ski routes to one side sticking fairly close to obstruction that we could negotiate and those on skis or boards would come to grief. One skier was admiring the view and quick to note that my crampons were front pointers. Once or twice we had to move as quickly as possible across a ski run which is easier said than done. After a little glissading and then following an out of action ski tow route we were back at the ski centre facilities.



A temporary respite from ironwork on the feet, a sandwich a piece and finishing off the contents of our flasks we set off back down the path and then down the remaining slopes. As we descended we could see a herd of deer below us. Eventually we arrived back and the Ski Centre's reception area and there was a satisfying Hi-5 moment as Cathy had just got her first proper winter Munro.


Tradition is that when we have a successful day a certain track is played in the car returning to our accommodation..... It resounded around the car suitably.

The snowy track we found leading to the lower ski slopes

Riming on the vegetation

The Buachaille

Rannoch Moor in the evening light