BROAD GULLY, GLENCOE

 

Christian romping up Broad Gully

Tuesday 28th February 

A top day in Glencoe on Tuesday. I was over in the west for a change of scenery and to present my winter mountain safety talk at the world famous Clachaig Inn during the evening. A chance to meet up with fellow guide,  Christian Howell and have a fun day out in the hills.

Christian happy as ever in his local mountains 

We missed the Aurora on Monday evening,  some cloud cover on the West Coast prevented any chance of seeing the Northern Lights. I think everyone in Scotland must have observed and photographed this wonderful phenomina, except me!

A dusting of icy snow and frozen water ice up in Coire an Lochan 

There is a distinct lack of snow in many mountain areas. February was a poor month for winter conditions. However, we seeked out something white and fun to climb on. We opted for the reliable Broad Gully in Coire an Lochan. This Grade I winter climb must be the easiest of climbs at that grade in Scotland. 

Christian on an icy Broad Gully

The path up from the glen into Coire an Lochan had a slight dusting of snow and some small icy bits just to keep you on your toes. Despite the lack of snow you still should be carrying full winter kit, which includes winter boots, crampons and ice axe.

Temperature inversion 

Christian topping out into the sun

Any areas of snow just now are completely frozen and icy hard. A sharp pair of crampons obligatory! We were amazed to see only 2 people on the walk up into the coire and not a single person in Broad Gully. We had it to ourselves. 

At the top with Bidean nam Bian behind

Super views at the ridgeline on Stob Coire an Lochan. There was a temperature inversion with only Ben Nevis sticking out of the cloud to the north. Anyone on the Aonach Eagach would have been in clag, until early afternoon when the cloud dispersed.

Ben Nevis,  Brocken Spectre and temperature inversion 

We headed back into the coire after soaking up some sun and views. On the way down we bumped into two walkers and their dog who were dressed and kitted out for summer. They didn't seem to have planned their day according to the conditions,  their aim was to go up Bidean nam Bian which had a lovely ribbon of hard, icy and steep snow leading from Stob Coire and Lochan to its summit.

Bidean nam Bian,  not quite summer like

The rest of our decent back to the carpark was in sun and solitude with only 2 more folk passed on the way down as cloud burned off the Aonach Eagach and it felt 'Spring like' in the glen. But it most certainly is not Spring on the mountains.

A quiet descent into the glen

A top day with great company and entertainment of laughs. Finished off with my winter mountain safety talk at the Clachaig Inn in the evening. Good to see a couple of familiar faces turn up to my talk. Thanks to the Clachaig Inn for hosting my essential safety talk which was fun. With the odd, obligatory pint of real beer thrown in, of course.