Tuesday, March 01, 2016

Memorable Mountain Day

The last few weeks have seen some superb conditions in the Scottish mountains and we were fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of some of them.  There are two mountains, which dominate the A82 above the Bridge of Orchy and are a familiar sight to those people who drive along this trunk road.  Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh were selected as our target for the day.
The forecast was perfect for a day in the mountains so it was a matter of packing the rucksacks and heading up.  Conditions couldn't have been much better.
What followed was probably the best day I have ever spent in the mountains in the UK, at least I can't remember any which were better. I suppose any day when you wear crampons for six hours has to be a good day.
 Leaving the Bridge of Orchy.  Our route took us right from the col initially before dropping back down and heading up to the left.
 On the ridge towards the summit of Beinn Dorain.  Views of distant summits were starting to appear.
 Looking along the summit ridge of Beinn an Dothaidh.  At this point the wind had dropped completely. 
 Nicky approaching one of the summits along the ridge.
 We left the summit just after 3.00, we were the only people remaining up apart from one other person heading down the snow slope.  He is the black dot just below the ridge.  Apart from him we had the mountain to ourselves.
 Nicky on the descent.
A summit photo taken by somebody who isn't used to using an iPhone, judging by their finger in the bottom right hand corner.

No comments: