Well, over 3000 feet anyway. Not that high, but not that low either! I spent this weekend with a few mates tackling the hills/mountains around Ben Lawers. We had planned to start from the car park, however due to the road being akin to a skating rink, that didn't happen. So we had to park the car a good distance away from the carpark which added some extra kms and time to the hike.
However there were blue skies to start us off so we were in good spirits! Roughly 7 hours later a fully exhausted group of 4 trudged back to the car in the twilight of a chilly Scottish winters night. The day was challenging, physically exhausting, and filled with ever changing weather. We had blue skies, snow squalls, plenty of ice, and snow, and winds of around 60mph at some points with temperatures changing from around the freezing point to roughly -10c on some of the peaks.
The highlights were numerous though! We ascended and descended numerous peaks enroute, some around 1200 feet up, just to descend the same again on the other side. We followed a ridge most of the way around, with some parts only a few feet wide, covered in ice, and dropping off steeply to either side. At one point I had my gloves under my arm to take a photo...when the wind ripped one of my gloves out and blew it over the side of one of the cliffs on that particular peak. This meant I had to do the most of the second half without a glove for my left hand!
We did some bum slides, and I found a 5 foot ledge that I could jump off of, into about 3 feet of snow...whoo hoo! We got to use our ice axes to ascend and descend some steep slopes, and I had the distinct honour of being the only one of the bunch to trip on my crampons going downhill and sliding face first down the hill...until I managed to spin around and get my ice axe in to slow my unexpected descent enough for me to flip onto my back....and stop. A bit worrying it has to be said having no control sliding on snow and ice downhill.
All said and done it was an absolutely fantastic day out. We thoroughly enjoyed the day, and the incredible views of Scotlands mountains under the blanket of winter.
Me geared up and ready to go..
The boys gearing up for a day of snow, ice, and lots of climbing
Descending a ridge, this is what it's all about!
Although it looks like a stack about to happen, this is ice ballet...crampon style
Chris debating why exactly he's here trying to outrun a snow squall
Too late, the snow squall hits
Yes, we crossed that ridge, which was a few feet wide, and lots of feet deep on both sides
Another descent, Chris's slow and meticulate approach, and Keith's balls out approach
Chris finding his rythym and descending with style
Harry, Chris and Keith soaking up some sun!
Harry making his way up one of many leg burning ascents
Early on we were all smiles
Poser!
Keith fully appreciating a day on the hills!
The sun trying hard to break through. We summited that peak in the distance, and came down the ridge and along to this point here. Good fun!
A well earned lunch break
Ah dear, here comes the squall again!I've just added these photo's of Harry's. For more photos or the names of some of the peaks or ridges, visits Harry's pics @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16389733@N04
Climbing an icy tricky rock section
Descending carefully, and getting ready for a bum slide!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Me and Chris...loving the snow.
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