FINAL FLING OF 2014

Ian enjoying the views over to Ben Lawers and An Stuc

North East facing corries and slopes holding plenty of snow

Great views of Glen Lyon from Meall a' Choire Leith

Despite a thaw its still winter up here!

Meall Corranaich in late afternoon sun

Nice sunset over Tarmachan to end the day

The temperatures were above the summits during the night and into this morning. Much snow soon stripped off the hills with the warm front and a cloudier day than late with the SW winds. Ian and I had no real plan of where to head, just some snow and sun! Amazing temperature differences as we drove south, then west. Some areas still with frost coated trees and icy roads and then areas of Spring like temperatures! Not sure how but we finally parked up on the Lochan an Lairig road above Loch Tay in deepest Perthshire! Was it because Ian had a sneaky Munro he hadn't bagged? Meall a' Choire Leith. The two Munros of Meall Corranaich & Meall a' Choire Leith are a couple of hills which I know very well having lived in Killin for over 7 years and nice to visit again. We set off in warm temperatures and low cloud on snow free ground which wasn't too inspiring. Our first summit of Meall Corranaich  was gained in a bubble of cloud and a cold, strong wind. Shortly after leaving the summit the cloud suddenly blew away and for the rest of the day we were walking in sunshine with great views! Despite the rapid thaw there are still big areas of snow and all the NE corries and slopes have huge amounts of snow still. The traverse  to Meall a Choire Leith is over long easy angled slopes and the light was just wonderful as we reached the summit after 3pm. Another glorious sunset and a Broken Spectre on the top. A grand day out and my final jaunt in the hills for 2014.
Best wishes from Tarmachan Mountaineering for a very Happy and safe  New Year. Thanks to all who joined me on the hills this year!