In an attempt to make the most of the small weather window before the storm moved in this afternoon Sue, S and I made an early start on A' Chràlaig (1120m) a munro just past the Clunie Inn.
It had a nice aspect and route to it as its a long North spur to the summit so looked like it would go even if the weather did begin to crap out on us.
It had a nice aspect and route to it as its a long North spur to the summit so looked like it would go even if the weather did begin to crap out on us.
Sue showing her excellent navigation pose while taking another bearing to follow on the way down.
As it was we could not have had different weather to yesterday. After another punishing slog strait up a heather slope we reached the crest of the spur that was to lead us to the summit cairn.
There was good bullet hard nevé to walk on so we strapped on crampons and plodded our way up hill. Just before the first false summit the weather crapped out on us. The cloud swept in and enveloped us in its mists.
Sue and I switched into nav mode and the day turned from a pleasant stroll up a hill to a challenging navigation exercise.
After much pacing and walking on bearing we eventually made the summit. our paces were 50m off but as the slope was still going up and we knew to find a cairn we made it there.
It was the biggest cairn I think I have ever seen. Easily 10 feet tall!
The wind was howling round it and cutting through our layers so after a swig of water pulling on jackets and a bite of food we turned around and stared the process of navigating back. Not quite so simple as following our own footsteps.
We managed this spectacularly! There was one heart stopping moment when I realised that I had almost stepped onto the cornice (the visibility was down to about 2m) and that S was worryingly close to the edge. However after a sharp outcry from myself we all beat a hasty retreat away from the edge.
After that it was a relatively simple walk down the slope, keeping one eye on the compass and another on the mountain. We were off the hill by 2pm and once again questioning what there was to do in the Highlands when your not on a mountain. The answer? Nothing, but try and keep warm.
Apologies about the lack of photos, the weather was simply too grim.
There was good bullet hard nevé to walk on so we strapped on crampons and plodded our way up hill. Just before the first false summit the weather crapped out on us. The cloud swept in and enveloped us in its mists.
Sue and I switched into nav mode and the day turned from a pleasant stroll up a hill to a challenging navigation exercise.
After much pacing and walking on bearing we eventually made the summit. our paces were 50m off but as the slope was still going up and we knew to find a cairn we made it there.
It was the biggest cairn I think I have ever seen. Easily 10 feet tall!
The wind was howling round it and cutting through our layers so after a swig of water pulling on jackets and a bite of food we turned around and stared the process of navigating back. Not quite so simple as following our own footsteps.
We managed this spectacularly! There was one heart stopping moment when I realised that I had almost stepped onto the cornice (the visibility was down to about 2m) and that S was worryingly close to the edge. However after a sharp outcry from myself we all beat a hasty retreat away from the edge.
After that it was a relatively simple walk down the slope, keeping one eye on the compass and another on the mountain. We were off the hill by 2pm and once again questioning what there was to do in the Highlands when your not on a mountain. The answer? Nothing, but try and keep warm.
Apologies about the lack of photos, the weather was simply too grim.
A fantastic selfie!