MSB - take 2

It's definitely a year for old favourites. I've had a trip to Zell am See, and now another week in Wengen.

You know the weather hasn't been great, when you return home after a week having taken no photos at all (the one above is from two years ago!), and for the first time ever, I had a day when I didn't ski.

Wind stopped play, so we decided to go for a walk instead. Knowing the area well has its advantages, so we walked down to Lauterbrunnen then along the valley to Stechelberg for a very nice lunch.

The rest of the week saw good skiing, but no sun!

Zell am See

Once again, I found myself in Zell repping for a ski trip. This time I had 2 schools, which was a new concept for me, and had the potential to be a nightmare. AS it turned out they were both great. One of them was a secondary school from the Lakes, and the other a prep school from the Cotswolds. It served as a good reminder to me why I usually work with teenagers!

The resort is always busy at 1/2 term, but as is often the case, it's possible to avoid the crowds. Snow conditions weren't bad, and all in all, it was a good week :)

Night Nav

The D of E Peak Panel have organised a night navgation exercise for a few years, but this was the first time I'd been along. Tony & I decided that we could both do with the practice, so ignoring the snow, we turned up to Surprise View to get our instructions. There was a chap from Leicester who was on his own, so we teamed up with him and set off in search of CDs with letters on.

As there were a number of teams out there, we held off as long as possible before resorting to the use of headtorches. The area is one that we both know well, but in the dark it wasn't easy to locate the markers. Despite the conditions, we felt we fared well enough - only missing out on a few markers due to time constraints.

Had we known how good it was, we'd have taken more of our team along....so watch out for next year!

The Lakes

Every so often Travelodge have a sale on, and in the last one I managed to bag a room in Penrith for £19. Susan came up to join me, and we headed off to do Cat Bells. All day it threatened to rain, but the cloud stayed high and we had some good views.

The path up Cat Bells is straightforward, and it was a popular route for a January weekend. We had our lunches at the top before returning to our cars via the shore of Derwent Water.



Sunday wasn't the best day for heading high, so we pootled. A visit to Aira Force, a stop off at Glenridding and a drive down to Haweswater were on the agenda, before heading back home.

Scotland the White

I love Scotland, and have always fancied a winter visit, so when I heard that a few others were heading North for the weekend, it seemed rude to say no!

We drove up on Friday evening, staying at the Ballachulish Hotel. The sunrise was stunning, but there was no time to hang around as we dashed to Aanoch Mor and the Nevis Range ski area.


The views were breathtaking, looking right the way across to the Skye Cuillins. The skiing wasn't bad either! It was a bit of a culture shock actually queueing for a lift, rather than engaging in a scrum.


It was also the first time that I had seen the summit of Ben Nevis, so close up and so clear. I could make out more detail than when I had climbed it!

The decision had been to ski at Cairngorm on Sunday, so we headed over that way to sleep. The following day couldn't have been more different to Saturday - blizzards, no visiblity and generally grotty conditions. At one point I was being blown backwards up the hill! At about 2pm they took the decision to evacuate the mountain. I don't think I've ever been so wet skiing. It was still a fun day, and gave amazing bragging rights this morning in the office!

Margery Hill

I'm told that Margery Hill is the highest point within the City of Sheffield.


I left the car at Kings Tree and walked via Slippery Stones up to Howden Edge. There were quite a few people around, mostly running or biking. Once up on the edge, I toyed with the idea of heading along Outer Edge, but decided that would take too long. As it was, I thought it may be going dark before I got back.

I followed Howden Edge, past the trig point of Margery Hill and then down past Nether Hey to by Howden Dam. The path from there seems to go on forever, as you can see Kings Tree on the other side, but have to go a long way round.

(Technical Data: distance = 14km, ascent = 500m)

Magpie Mine

Having looked at the weather, I decided that today was not a day for walking. With that in mind, I decided to go out to Magpie Mine near Sheldon. The old mine workings looked quite dramatic in the mist.

Alport Castles

Having had a frustrating few months with my knee, aggravating it every time I've been out, I'm hoping to get a few walks in over Christmas/New Year. I need to be careful as we're starting to get near to the ski season!


Having left the car at Bridge End, I took the steep path up on to the ridge, and then on upwards to Alport Castles. From there, there is a path down Ditch Clough to Howden Reservoir. Despite it being the holidays, there weren't too many people around. Even Fairholmes wasn't too busy - and the cafe was open :)

(Technical Data: distance = 14.5km, ascent = 425m)

The Old Man of Coniston

Drove up to the Lakes for the day with the intention of doing a circuit of the Old Man. The weather was dry, but a bit windy and there was low cloud. We walked up from Coniston, and it wasn't too bad up to Low Water. After that, the wind picked up and by the time we got to the top, it was blowing hard.

The original plan had been to descend via Goat's Water, but as we dropped down that side, the wind was blowing us off the hillside. After a few minutes, common sense prevailed and we headed back up, to descend the way we came.

(Technical Data: distance = 10.5km, ascent = 1000m)

Bleaklow & Cock Hill

Decided to go for a walk from Glossop. The forecast wasn't too bad, but as soon as I started walking, the rain began. I took the path up Doctor's Gate, and then along the Pennine Way past Bleaklow Head. The path wasn't clear, so I missed the turn off and had to double back to Torside Castle. From there I went across to Cock Hill (pictured above) and then back down into Glossop. It was wet!

(Technical Data: distance = 16km, ascent = 580m)

Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond is the most Southerly Munro, and a convenient stop-off on the way home from Glencoe.


I walked up the Ptarmigan ridge, and round to the summit. This seemed preferable to doing an out-and-back up the main path. The initial route finding was a bit tricky (I went a tad too far along the West Highland Way) but once on the right path it was fine.


All the way up, there was cloud covering the summit. I arrived at the top and stopped for a drink. As I sat there, the cloud cleared briefly, allowing me a chance to look at the view.


The path down was a bit busier than the path up, and those arriving shortly after me at least got to see something!

And then the long drive home, and work tomorrow!

(Technical Data: distance = 11.5km, ascent = 1000m)

Glencoe Lochan etc.

A bit of pain in the knee, and dull weather meant that I decided to have an easy day today. I plan to drive down to Loch Lomond tonight and do Ben Lomond tomorrow, so made do with some short walks.


I started off by going up to Glencoe Lochan. Despite it's proximity to a car park, I'd never been. A short walk and a beautiful location. Surprisingly it was deserted...I guess everyone else was up high.


I then went to Inchree Waterfall, and then drove round to Corpach. Ben Nevis was playing hide-and-seek with the clouds.

Buachaille Etive Mor

Having had such a good time earlier on this month, and with my knee feeling better, I decided on another quick trip up north.


Stob Dearg is one of the most recognisable mountains in Scotland.....except few people know it's name. It's commonly known as Buachaille Etive Mor, which is actually the name of the ridge which connects Stob Dearg with Stob na Broige. Anyway, however you look at it, it's a classic that has to be done.


When you park at Altnafeadh, there appears to be no way up. The path, tha starts off comparatively gently, soon gets lost among the rock. It isn't until you get up close, that it becomes apparent that there is a way without having to climb.

Once up onto the ridge, the view is extensive, across to Blackwater, Rannoch Moor, and then when you are further along, down Glen Etive and Loch Etive.



After the hard work up onto the ridge, the walk becomes pleasant. The sun was out, and reaching the three main summits on the ridge (Stob na Doire being the central one) was straight forward. The descent into Laraig Gartain was steep and once down, the path was boggy.

(Technical Data: distance = 12.5km, ascent = 1200m)

Ben Nevis

After watching the weather for the past two weeks, I finally got a day that I thought was worth the effort of climbing the Ben.


It wouldn't have been my 1st choice of route, but as I knew the cloud level wasn't that high, I decided to do the Mountain Track. It was heaving. Not my idea of walking, I like the isolation. After the previous 2 days, where I saw no-one, it came as a bit of a shock!


The top was in cloud, so no nice views. Based on today, I won't be rushing back. It may be the highest, but it seems wrong that this one is crowded, when the others on the area are deserted.

I thought going up was bad, but the descent was even worse. The path is consistently steep, so there is no respite. Unfortunately I seem to have aggrivated a knee problem that I had while skiing, so I think that may be the end of this trip :(

(Technical Data: distance = 16.5km, ascent = 1343m)

.....and back!

This morning was bliss. After camping for a week, to wake up to a cooked breakfast was a treat. Especially the venison sausages from the Corrour estate. As a result, I set off a little later than planned!


I decided to go back to Kinlochleven via Luibeilt and Loch Eilde Mor. This meant that the walking I'd do later in the day would be on a track, therefore hopefully easier going. The decision that I had to make was which side of the Abhainn Rath to walk. I favoured the path on the North side, but knowing that the weather hasn't been great, I decided not to risk having to do a river crossing at Luibeilt. This proved to be a good decision!


When I got to the bothy at Staoineag, the stepping stones were completely submerged. The path fades out here and with the riverside boggy, I took my time trying to find the best route. I'd already given up on the idea of trying to keep my feet dry, but at times the challenge was trying to cross water without it reaching the top of my gaitors.


Eventually I spied the buildings at Luibeilt and found my way onto the track. Knowing that the next hour or so was along the track, I began to relax. At this point the rain decided to soak me from the top down! The path alongside Loch Eilde Beag and Loch Eilde Mor was a welcome relief, and on another day I'd have enjoyed the walk, however by this time, I just wanted to get back.


The view along Loch Leven gave me a bit more impetus to finish the walk. Unfortunately I then made a bad route choice. What I should have done was followed the track round to Mamore Lodge and then down, but I chose the more direct route...down a very steep path. It was nice to get back to the car and then the tent!

(Technical Data: distance = 21.5km, ascent = 300m)

Corrour, take 2

While there last week, I'd booked myself into the Corrour Station B&B for tonight. The plan being to walk in from Kinlochleven one way and out the next day by a different route.

I decided to go via Blackwater reservoir. The first section of the route follows the West Highland Way, before branching off towards the dam. The path is a track, but the easiest walking is along the water conduit. The water enters the conduit (below) from the dam and is piped down the hill into Kinlochleven. The reservoir was built in the early 1900s to serve the aluminium smelter in Kinlochleven. It is the last major British project to have been built by navvies, at a cost of many lives. The smelter closed down in 1996, and the pipes now feed a hydro-electric plant.


Once across the dam (you're not allowed across the dam wall, but I ran fast enough that they couldn't catch me!) the path follows the side of the reservoir. Due to the recent weather, this was boggy in places. I managed not to get too wet, despite the occasional downpour. After about 1km, the path leaves the reservoir and heads North East towards Loch Chiarain. The bothy (below) was a welcome stop off for lunch, and the only time during the whole day when I met another person.


Once past Loch Chiarain, the path seemed to go on forever. With mountains on both sides, the scenery didn't change much, so the sight of Loch Treig (below) was very welcome. It also helped me chart my exact position.


From Loch Treig, the track headed uphill. A passing train gave me the excuse to stop and wave at people and spurred me onwards to my dinner. The track passes under the railway, but following this takes you down to Loch Ossian, and was out of my way. The alternative path seemed to go through bog. Having spent last week memorising the train timetable, I took my chances and walked a short section alongside the railway lines. The track is on a raised bed and went directly to my destination.



(Technical Data: distance = 27.5km, ascent = 850m)

Sunset

This was taken last night, looking down Loch Leven.

Rannoch Moor

Had a logistical nightmare today. I decided that I wanted to walk from Kings House to Rannoch Moor Station. The only problem was how to get back! I eventually decided to park at Fort William and get the bus to Kings House, then I could get the train back. Ended up in a bit of a rush and forgot my camera :(

There were 2 other people who got off the bus at the same place, but they headed in a different direction, so I had the path to myself. The first section is the driveway up to Black Corries Lodge, and then it becomes a footpath. This was clear and surprisingly dry. The final section was a pleasant track through the woods.It was at this point that I started to see a few people, presumably doing a short walk from the station.

I'd walked quicker than I expected, so had a bit of time to kill in the station cafe waiting for the train. I got chatting to a couple in there, lost track of time, and had to dash out to catch my train! It's a long wait for the next one.

It's a few years since I've done the train journey from Rannoch Moor to Fort William, so I sat back and enjoyed the scenery.

(Technical Data: distance = 20km, ascent = 330m)

The Robbers' Waterfall

The road down Glen Etive is a dead end, so it doesn't get too much traffic. It is a beautiful glen, leading to Loch Etive. The road passes along the foot of Buachaille Etive Mor before entering a forest. The path up to the Robbers' Waterfall crosses the River Etive and then starts to climb. Unfortunately, with the rain of the past few days, the burns higher up were in spate, so I couldn't get right up to the waterfall.


I retraced my route and drove to the end of the road. The broken jetty is a sign that not much sea traffic comes this way these days!


On the way back up the glen, I encountered this fella and his better half. She wasn't keen to have her photo taken, but he was pleased to oblige.

(Technical Data: distance = 7.5km, ascent = 280m)

Oban

Okay, so not technically a walk, or a ski, but a great day out! I decided that it was time to have a rest day, so went for a drive to Oban. The weather in Fort William wasn't great, but by the time I got to the coast the sun was out.