Conditions In Glencoe

Nigel G. Brown said:

Can anybody tell me what the Glencoe summit conditions are
like at the moment in terms of snow & ice. I'm quite
experienced with the outdoors and ready for the next step
up the ladder, but all other advice is welcome.

sais.gov.uklatest forecastOpen ↗ has daily reports.

I hope you know how to use an ice axe and crampons.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the
"Westminster Gasworks"

Nigel G. Brown said:

Going on my first holiday to Scotland this coming week,
staying in Ballachulish at the West end of Glencoe. As part
of this trip, I intend to do my first Munros - those being
the two Munros which make up Beinn a' Bhethir (Sgurr Dearg
& Sgurr Dhonuil). I've just about finished off the
Wainwrights, mostly done in winter conditions since 1997.

Can anybody tell me what the Glencoe summit conditions are
like at the moment in terms of snow & ice. I'm quite
experienced with the outdoors and ready for the next step
up the ladder, but all other advice is welcome.

I stayed in Ballachulish four weeks ago. Then there was
little snow below 4000 feet. I expect things are very
different now.

Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuil was my first walk of the week.
The ascent is steep and a bit of a scramble in places. Once
on top the walk is a delight. There was a little corniced
snow on the final ascent to Sgorr Dhonuil, crampons weren't
necessary, but I'm glad I carried them. The decent and walk
out is long. The walk through the woods is very damp until
you get onto the forest track.

I suggest hitching back to Ballachulish once you get onto
the road unless you enjoy a three mile walk along the road.

My favouite walk of the week was the Ring of Steall - a
horseshoe including 4 Munroes and a couple of little
scrambles.

.

Quoted message said:

sais.gov.uklatest forecastOpen ↗ has daily reports.

I hope you know how to use an ice axe and crampons.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster
Gasworks"

Thanks for the link. Already had the ice axe and crampons
packed. It looks like I'll need them.

Nigel.

"C L Imber" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I stayed in Ballachulish four weeks ago. Then there was
little snow below 4000 feet. I expect things are very
different now.

Just checked out the SAIS report for the area. Snow above
400m and a considerable avalanche risk.

Quoted message said:

Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuil was my first walk of the
week. The ascent is steep and a bit of a scramble in
places. Once on top the walk is a delight. There was a
little corniced snow on the final ascent to Sgorr Dhonuil,
crampons weren't necessary, but I'm glad I carried them.
The decent and walk out is long. The walk through the
woods is very damp until you get onto the forest track.

I've planned my route South, out of the village past the
primary school, then to head up the North-East ridge to
avoid the forest. I want to gain height and views quickly.

Quoted message said:

I suggest hitching back to Ballachulish once you get
onto the road unless you enjoy a three mile walk along
the road.

I've planned my return route to drop from the col between
the two Munros, South to the head of Glen Creran, where I
understand their is a good track runs above the river Laroch
back into Ballachulish and my original start. This way I
avoid the road.

Thanks for the info.

Nigel.

C L Imber said:

Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuil

Quoted message said:

I suggest hitching back to Ballachulish once you get onto
the road unless you enjoy a three mile walk along the road.

It might seem like three miles but it is only 2km from the
exit of the forestry by the memorial (NN 661586) to the
village carpark in Ballachulish.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the
"Westminster Gasworks"

"Nigel G. Brown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've planned my route South, out of the village past the
primary school, then to head up the North-East ridge to
avoid the forest. I want to gain height and views quickly.

You do indeed gain the height quickly, once you're at Sgorr
Bhan, you've cracked it. I seem to recall some light
scrambling up this ridge about half way up (easily avoided).

Quoted message said:

I've planned my return route to drop from the col between
the two Munros, South to the head of Glen Creran, where I
understand their is a good track runs above the river
Laroch back into Ballachulish and my original start. This
way I avoid the road.

Yup, that's the way I returned as well, from the col, down
through the forest onto the forest tracks, make sure you
take the right ones, and you curve around to the east above
the A82 and it drops onto the road near the church to the
west of Ballachulish.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the info.

Nigel.

Have a good one Nigel, the views across to the Pap of
Glencoe and across Loch Leven are spectacular. Well worth
it. The weather is forecast as "minging" for the beginning
of the week, but then it would be, I'm hillwalking !

KRO

Nigel G. Brown said:

"C L Imber" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I stayed in Ballachulish four weeks ago. Then there was
little snow below 4000 feet. I expect things are very
different now.

Just checked out the SAIS report for the area. Snow above
400m and a considerable avalanche risk.

Quoted message said:

Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuil was my first walk of the
week. The ascent is steep and a bit of a scramble in
places. Once on top the walk is a delight. There was a
little corniced snow on the final ascent to Sgorr
Dhonuil, crampons weren't necessary, but I'm glad I
carried them. The decent and walk out is long. The walk
through the woods is very damp until you get onto the
forest track.

I've planned my route South, out of the village past the
primary school, then to head up the North-East ridge to
avoid the forest. I want to gain height and views quickly.

That's the baby. You need to turn right soon after you go
through the gate. There is a path of sorts but it's none too
distinct. It gets a little scrambly on that route, but
nothing to worry about.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I suggest hitching back to Ballachulish once you get
onto the road unless you enjoy a three mile walk along
the road.

I've planned my return route to drop from the col between
the two Munros, South to the head of Glen Creran, where I
understand their is a good track runs above the river
Laroch back into Ballachulish and my original start. This
way I avoid the road.

Nice route.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the info.

Nigel.

Nigel G. Brown said:

Quoted message said:

Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuil

Quoted message said:

I've planned my return route to drop from the col between
the two Munros, South to the head of Glen Creran, where I
understand their is a good track runs above the river
Laroch back into Ballachulish and my original start. This
way I avoid the road.

ITYM the bealach between Gleann Fhiodh and Glen Duror, Glen
Creran is the next glen over. That looks mighty steep on my
map. If there is snow lying it will obliterate any path that
may be there. Butterfield notes a route off to the north
between the two Munros but not one to the south.

Have a look at my trip report at p-t-p-t-Open ↗
cook.freeserve.co.uk/bb/bb.htm
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the
"Westminster Gasworks"

Phil Cook said:

C L Imber said:

Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuil

Quoted message said:

I suggest hitching back to Ballachulish once you get
onto the road unless you enjoy a three mile walk along
the road.

It might seem like three miles but it is only 2km from the
exit of the forestry by the memorial (NN 661586) to the
village carpark in Ballachulish.

OK, so my forestry navigation wasn't too hot. I came out,
onto the road, at 044596, just west of the golf course. I
got a lift within 5 minutes and was thankful.

Nigel G. Brown wrote

Quoted message said:

I've planned my route South, out of the village past the
primary school, then to head up the North-East ridge to
avoid the forest. I want to gain height and views quickly.

The North East ridge narrows and steepens near the top and
becomes a short, steep scramble. The rocks can be avoided on
the left but this is loose in summer and probably snowed-up
just now so the ridge crest is probably the best options
unless there is ice on it. It brings you out close to the
first Top and from there on the views are superb. On the way
up the Glencoe hills, Mamores, Grey Corries, Nevis, etc.
gradually appear so you get a good excuse to stop and get
your breath back as you try to work out which is which.
There's another scrambly bit just at the last bit of the
second Munro but it is mainly over boulders and fairly
straightforward. In summer the 'path' makes a short traverse
on the north side of the ridge but in winter I would expect
this should be avoided. It's worth going on about 150m west
of the second Munro for the views!

Quoted message said:

I've planned my return route to drop from the col between
the two Munros, South to the head of Glen Creran, where I
understand their is a good track runs above the river
Laroch back into Ballachulish and my original start. This
way I avoid the road.

Came back that way last time I was up there and it certainly
is a good way back avoiding the northern forestry. It's
steep at first but should be OK under snow as it faces south
and should be softened up by any sun you're lucky enough to
get - a couple of weeks ago it could have been deadly as
everything was frozen solid in spite of practically no snow.
Don't remember any problems coming through the short section
of forestry but my feet were sore by the time we got back to
the school. The path is stony and it was a hot day. There's
a good description of your intended route in Chris
Townsend's book 'Ben Nevis and Clen Coe', Collins Ramblers
Guide, ISBN 0002201151. Others have mentioned the SAIS
website and it may be of use to look at the Buachaille
webcam at the Kingshouse on
freespace.virgin.netkings.houseOpen ↗

HTH Graham

"KRO" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Have a good one Nigel, the views across to the Pap of
Glencoe and across Loch Leven are spectacular. Well
worth it.

I'll post a TR on my return with a link to any
pictures I take.

Quoted message said:

The weather is forecast as "minging" for the beginning of
the week, but then it would be, I'm hillwalking !

Minging is what Gortex is for. Hope you have as good a time
as I hope I do. Thanks for the info.

Nigel.

"C L Imber" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

That's the baby. You need to turn right soon after you go
through the gate. There is a path of sorts but it's none
too distinct. It gets a little scrambly on that route, but
nothing to worry about.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I suggest hitching back to Ballachulish once you get
onto the road unless you enjoy a three mile walk along
the road.

I've planned my return route to drop from the col between
the two Munros, South to the head of Glen Creran, where I
understand their is a good

track

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

runs above the river Laroch back into Ballachulish and my
original start. This way I avoid the road.

Nice route.

Glad you agree. Everybody's comments have given me a little
more confidence in my planning abilities. I gave my maps and
books a little study in my planning. Chance favours the
prepared mind.

Nigel.

KRO said:

Quoted message said:

I've planned my return route to drop from the col between
the two Munros, South to the head of Glen Creran, where I
understand their is a good track runs above the river
Laroch back into Ballachulish and my original start. This
way I avoid the road.

Yup, that's the way I returned as well, from the col, down
through the forest onto the forest tracks, make sure you
take the right ones, and you curve around to the east above
the A82 and it drops onto the road near the church to the
west of Ballachulish.

That's taking the route to the north. Nigel is going south.

C L Imber said:

On Sat, 20 Mar 2004 20:23:29 +0000, Phil Cook <urwalk@p-t-

cook.RfErMeOeVsEeCrAvPeS.co.uk said:

C L Imber said:

Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuil

Quoted message said:

I suggest hitching back to Ballachulish once you get
onto the road unless you enjoy a three mile walk along
the road.

It might seem like three miles but it is only 2km from the
exit of the forestry by the memorial (NN 661586) to the
village carpark in Ballachulish.

OK, so my forestry navigation wasn't too hot.

The links between the north-south tracks aren't well
mapped on the OS
1:50k. There is one between the A and O of "Chaolais"
which turns back to the south and one level with the L
that crosses the stream. You might find the way to the
eastern gate easier if you turned right when you first
got to the track.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the
"Westminster Gasworks"

"Phil Cook" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nigel G. Brown said:

Quoted message said:

Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuil

Quoted message said:

I've planned my return route to drop from the col between
the two Munros, South to the head of Glen Creran, where I
understand their is a good

track

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

runs above the river Laroch back into Ballachulish and my
original start. This way I avoid the road.

ITYM the bealach between Gleann Fhiodh and Glen Duror,
Glen Creran is the next glen over. That looks mighty steep
on my map.

You are correct and that is what I meant. I didn't have my
maps to hand. Glen Creran seems to be stuck in my head for
some reason. Perhaps it was that news article the other week
about the 60 odd year old who was found dead on the hills
over their the other week.

Quoted message said:

If there is snow lying it will obliterate any path that
may be there.

Butterfield

Quoted message said:

notes a route off to the north between the two Munros but
not one to the south.

My books and maps don't indicate any path anyway until you
reach the track at the bottom. However, the Collins Rambler
book for this area does say it can be used as an
alternative, but don't indicate it on the map. They do also
indicate that it is steep in places and that care should be
taken, but I take this as general advice on any walk in any
area in any conditions. Mike Cawthorne also used this as an
ascent and descent route when he walked all the 1000m peaks
in a single scottish winter, as he points out in his book
"Hell Of A Journey".

The route described by Butterfield seems to be the main
route up and down which most books, and it seems, most
walkers tend to use. I'm keen to avoid the forest but if
conditions require it, I will change my plans to suit the
conditions before I leave.

Quoted message said:

Have a look at my trip report at p-t-p-t-Open ↗
cook.freeserve.co.uk/bb/bb.htm

Nice pictures, the best I've looked at so far for my
intended walk.

Nigel.

"C L Imber" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

KRO said:

Quoted message said:

I've planned my return route to drop from the col
between the two

Munros,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

South to the head of Glen Creran, where I understand
their is a good

track

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

runs above the river Laroch back into Ballachulish and
my original

start.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This way I avoid the road.

Yup, that's the way I returned as well, from the col,
down through the forest onto the forest tracks, make sure
you take the right ones, and you curve around to the east
above the A82 and it drops onto the road near the church
to the west of Ballachulish.

That's taking the route to the north. Nigel is going
south.

Glad somebody else noticed that. I thought it was just me.

"Nigel G. Brown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"KRO" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Have a good one Nigel, the views across to the Pap of
Glencoe and across Loch Leven are spectacular. Well
worth it.

I'll post a TR on my return with a link to any
pictures I take.

Eagerly awaited. Although you might not want Rodders to know
that you took a camera, (s)he doesn't approve. Apparently.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The weather is forecast as "minging" for the beginning
of the week, but then it would be, I'm hillwalking !

Minging is what Gortex is for.

The mind boggles.

Quoted message said:

Hope you have as good a time as I hope I do.

Will "minging" be involved?

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the info.

Could easily be way too much info.
--
Mark South - Citizen of the World, Denizen of the Net
<<Tiens! Ce poulet a une grenade!

"C L Imber" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

KRO said:

Quoted message said:

I've planned my return route to drop from the col
between the two

Munros,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

South to the head of Glen Creran, where I understand
their is a good

track

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

runs above the river Laroch back into Ballachulish and
my original

start.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This way I avoid the road.

Yup, that's the way I returned as well, from the col,
down through the forest onto the forest tracks, make sure
you take the right ones, and you curve around to the east
above the A82 and it drops onto the road near the church
to the west of Ballachulish.

That's taking the route to the north. Nigel is going
south.

Sorry, I only took his route as far as the col.....Well at
least he has another option.

KRO

"Nigel G. Brown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Can anybody tell me what the Glencoe summit conditions are
like at the moment in terms of snow & ice. I'm quite
experienced with the outdoors and ready for the next step
up the ladder, but all other advice is welcome.

From last night and todays observations, snow on the top
1/3rd of both your hills. I'm just back from Strathfarrar
and if anyone doubts the existence of snow this winter, then
I recommend a visit to Sgurr na Ruaidhe, Carn nan Gobhar,
Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais and finally, exhaustingly, Sgurr Fhuar-
thuill - that snow gives some hard walking! Snow here 400m
upwards, with more falling throughout the day, although I
don't think any fell on the floor of the glen.

KRO