PRE CHRISTMAS IN TORRIDON

A fine sunny start up Beinn Eighe

The final steep steps onto Spidean

Sunset through the mist

Beinn Eighe, Monday

The magnificent Coire Dubh Mor trail

The mountain to ourselves

Fresh snow above 830m on Beinn Eighe

Spidean  Coire nan Clach

On Saturday Karen and I decided on a wee 3 day jaunt up to that most wonderful of mountain areas, Torridon. Forecast was mediocre but no matter what the weather or conditions it is always special in this part of the world. On Saturday Karen went for a dip in Loch Shieldaig and a night time bike ride up Glen Torridon. All part of the training for the Celtman next June.

 

Christmas Eve on Loch Maree

Dawn, Loch Maree

Letterewe & Loch Maree

Slioch

On the Sunday we had a walk up onto Beinn Eighe. No cars at the Coire Laoigh carpark and we saw no one all day. A day of early brightness gave way to low cloud and drizzle. It was warm and sweaty low down but above 830m it turned to snow. More winter like on the ridge line to the Spidean nan Clach summit.

The mighty Liathach

The Flowedale Forest from Coire Dubh Mor

Liathach

The Tripple Buttress on Beinn Eighe

Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair

North corries of Liathach

The finest day was Christmas Eve. A stunningly beautiful morning. Colder overnight temperatures and crystal clear air. We took a wander up into the impressive Coire Mhic Fhearchair on Beinn Eighe. One of the finest low level walks in The Highlands. A well made , easy trails ascends gradually into Coire Dubh Mor before circling around into the coire below the Trippe Buttress on Beinn Eighe. What a place and what a spot for Karen to have a swim! There was verglas on some of the rocky path into the coire and ice was just forming again on the lochan. There is more snow here in The Cairngorms just now and on the west coast. No sign of any fresh snowfall of any significance in the next few days.
Enjoy the benign conditions. Of course we know that January is the stormiest, snowiest month of winter....don't we?

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM TARMACHAN MOUNTAINEERING!