Review of 2010

31 Dec -

Loughrigg Fell 7 Dec 2010

Perfect winter conditions in the Lakes, and I climbed Loughrigg Fell from Rydal with my cousin Pete as part of our overnight trip. the summit is only 1,099 ft, so nowhere near a Munro, but 10-12" of snow on the tops with some drifting made for interesting conditions (without crampons....). The views were stunning, with fresh snow on the fells, and some freezing fog in the valleys on top of the frozen lakes. The panorama included Fairfield to the east, frozen Rydal Water below, then west around a circle of peaks including the Langdale Pikes, Scafell and Crinkle Crags to Wetherlam and the Old Man of Coniston. Windermere was to the south. Exceptionally clear air and visibility.

"First on Everest" evening in Glasgow, 19 Nov

19 Nov - I combined some birding in Scotland with a ticket for the "First on Everest" presentation by a series of mountaineers who had distinguished themselves on Everest, with a series of outstanding achievements - Doug Scott and Paul Braithwaite from the 1975 South-West Face expedition that I read about as a teenager - both now white-haired and no longer with the long 70s -style locks - Peter Harbeler, who with Reinhold Messner in 1978, made the first ascent of Everest WITHOUT oxygen (8,868m!)- and Tom Hornbein, a doctor from Washington DC who climbed the West Ridge as part of the 1963 West Ridge expedition. The whole evening was chaired by legendary Scottish mountain figure Hamish McInnes. A very enjoyable 3 hours.
Unfortunately the weather the next day was dreich and put paid to any plans to add to my tally of Munros.....

Stob Ghabhar and Stob a'Choire Odhair 30 Aug 2010

30 Aug - A fantastic walk in perfect weather on part 2 of my Scottish bank holiday. From Victoria Bridge west of Bridge of Orchy, the Glen Etive path heads west, then a branch goes N into the corrie between the 2 Black Mount Munros. A stalker's path leads up to the summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair at 3,094', and excellent views across Rannoch Moor the the E, S to Ben More and Stob Binnein and the Crianlarich Munros, round to Ben Cruachan and Glencoe. Then down to the bealach and a steep pull up slopes to the Aonach Eagach ridge (not the famous one) and the slopes up to the summit of Stob Ghabhar (3,566') and a really amazing view from this high peak - rows of jagged peaks from Glencoe, to Ben Nevis and the Aonachs towering behind, then the Mamores and Glen Shiel - all in clear sunny conditions. A pleasant walk down the SE ridge and a truly memorable route. Only 4 other people seen all day, a bank holiday in England (but not in Scotland). Munro total = 45.

Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin 26 August 2010

26 Aug - Bright and clear conditions, with a build up of shower cloud in the afternoon and a brief shower when almost off the mountain. The route from Ardvorlich took me to the summit of Ben Vorlich (3,232') in an hour and 40 mins - with views across the Perthshire hills and north and west to the southern West Highlands. Then a descent and scramble up scree slopes to Stuc a'Chroin (3,199') where the patchy cloud rolled in just after a got to the top and took a few hurried photos. Munro total = 43.

An Caisteal and Beinn a'Chroin 13 August 2010

13 Aug - a 24-hr trip to take advantage of the current fine weather (though cloud and a passing shower swept through at the start) and 2 of the 5 Crianlarich Munros completed in an enjoyable 6 hours. An initial climb up Sron Garbh led to the ridge of Twistin Hill, and a scramble up onto the summit of An Caisteal at a height of 3,264' and views south to Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps; west to Ben Cruachan and Ben Lui; and east to Ben Lawers and Perthshire. A rocky descent and re-ascent led to the second summit of the day, Beinn a'Chroin at 3,084', and good views especially of Ben More and Stob Binnean towering up to the north. Then down a long and boggy path alongside the River Falloch. Munro total=41.