A view from the other side
8th April 2017
(Above) Decided on a jaunt up the ‘other side’ of Glen Spean today and ascended Binnean Shuas from near Moy. ‘Twas a beautiful day with crackling-dry surface vegetation over damp peat for most of the ascent. Looking west down Glen Spean with the reservoir part of Loch Laggan prominent; Beinn a Chaorainn on the far right.
(Above) Old library photo of Binnean Shuas (peak to the right of shot) from Coire Ardair. The ‘normal view’ south and south east from the entrance of Coire Ardair. Today’s vantage point was from close to the summit of Binnean Shuas.
(Above) Meall Coire Choile Rais (1028m) to the left. A rare view into the upper reaches of Coire Choile Rais showing remnants of old snow around the rim of the hidden lochan (which lurks behind the bulk of the dominant peak). Lochan Coire Choile Rais is an absolute gem of a place to visit in good weather and under decent snow cover. A great little ski tour and you’re more or less guaranteed to have the place to yourself, too. Remaining snow beds on the undulating plateau area of Creag Meagaidh summit visible on the upper skyline.
(Above) Beinn a Chaorainn from near Torguilbin. The well-known East Ridge to the right now looking like a summer rock scramble. (The final pitch has an unknown amount of snow on it – not visible from this angle. Could be hard and/or crusty after a re-freeze.) Bits and pieces of overhanging cornice still in place to the north of the true summit, too.
(Above) Carn Liath, the highest point on the far skyline, with just a few old snow patches close by.
(Above)Â Looking down on to Moy Lodge at the western end of Loch Laggan: an unrivalled location (on a sunny day).
(Above) By far the best way to deal with the relentless vehicle tracks that cross the bleak terrain en route to Binnean Shuas and the nearby Munros. Why didn’t I think of that? Doh!
Some snow in the forecast for tomorrow on generally Westerly winds. Snow showers commencing around lunchtime, with some associated rain at lower levels.
Easy to get caught out (and unprepared) by the onset of wintry weather after being lulled into a fuzzy, summery frame of mind by an extended but un-seasonal spell of warm, fine weather.
In summary, think goggles not sunglasses? Et cetera, et cetera.Â
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