First steps in snow eventually.

So after the pathetic and poor attempt at trying to get out on Thursday, I eventually got my rear in gear and got some motivation on Friday.

The day started very similar to Thursday with an early visit to the leisure centre for some mentoring and personal training. I then had a visit to the hospital at 10am for a 3 month check up, all good at present.

I got home at 1015 and parked up on the couch thinking about what to to do when the phone rang and a very enthusiastic friend who I haven't seen for a good few months gave me and earful of psyche and motivation down the line...........

10minutes later we were in the car and heading for Glen Nevis. Such a late start was obviously not the best but we were keen and in high spirits. I made the suggestion of doing the North ridge of Stob Ban as I have done it plenty of times, it is relatively straight forward and quick with numerous options from the top of the ridge. With my proposal accepted we went for it. We made good time up the lower slopes and reached the gate in the deer fence within 30mins of leaving the car, not bad but we left the car at 1120, not an ideal or typical winter start time but we trodged on with juvenile whoops and shouts.

On the lower slopes, wet and soggy.

As we broke onto the lower, wide and winding section of the ridge we were hit by a hail, snow and sleet  forced by a strong wind. It was amusing and also painful at times, can only describe it as being shot with a BB gun repeatedly. The kind of pain that makes you laugh. This last for 15 mins before a break in the cloud and giiving some stunning views all around. We had also made it to the snow line by this point and were beginning to break a trail, and the high point of the ridge beckoned us on as did the fresh and untouched snow at our feet.

The view from the lower part of the N.Ridge.

We moved along the wide and winding ridge at a fair pace, admiring views up the glen and back down to Fort William, Caol and Corpach all while watching more weather moving in at a high speed. But we were suited and booted for it and continued on with determination and eagerness. 

Weather coming our way fast.

We reached the start of the interesting section of the ridge and decide to put crampons on although there was no consolidated snow or ice and the ground and turf is soggy unless exposed we thought it better to use them than not as well as getting use to moving on that kind of ground in them again.

Alfie setting off on the fun stuff. 

We moved through the broken and scrambling ground in proper soft and deep early season powder and had great fun in doing so, as we 

got onto the crest of the ridge the view across to Glencoe and Ballachulish became the back drop, with cracking clouds, sunlight and colours before us. Looking down to the left from the ridge, or east I noticed a lot of snow debris and slide marks, I looked, wondered and began to make out what has obviously been a big movement of snow, the avalanche had been very recent but exactly when I don't know.  

Approaching the crest

Avalanche debris

Reaching the end of the ridge we had options on what to do, it was just coming up for 1400hrs, we made haste and went for the long walk round Mullach nan Coirean. In hindsight maybe should have picked an easier option but it was well worth the slog. We pushed ourselves on with laughter and slander and reached the summit of Mullach nan Coirean at 1600hrs. The plod round the connecting ridge gave some cracking views and we were hit by repeated snow flurries and strong winds but this made for an all round adventure that I wasn't expecting to have on the day. We descended down the rib that takes you to a styled fence singing a random array of songs and admiring the sights around. We made it back to the car by 1830 and were completely knackered. But satisfied with the day and excited for more. 

Very happy to be out, and the first winter day out done. Fingers crossed in continues as its started, weather wise and not my shocking first day attempt. Today has wiped that from memory already though!