2016 Scottish runs,Braemar,Etc,SATURDAY 7TH MAY

[AlfaScozzesi]

That's my lunch stop for Thursday sorted then. Weather is looking proper biblical. Can it really rain more in Scotland than Cornwall. Guess I about to find out.

(Poll Marlon :wink: )

First rain here at the moment for two weeks. The light but soaking kind

And yes I can guarantee it rains more here than anywhere else in the UK.

That said it is one of the most scenic (not always pretty) and dramatic places to stay.

Hope the weather gets a bit better for you.

Yup I've been watching the Ben Nevis web cam for a fortnight. Suddenly, after blue sky every day, all the mountains have vanished completely from view. Winds getting up too so might have to be the tourist route up the Ben, which will be a bit disappointing after training for two months. Fingers crossed for a few hours weather window to try the CMD Arette.

If it's too windy for the sky run of the arrette then you can go up the "gully" as I think I described before. CIC hut and then a scramble around the corner to join where the arrette meets the Ben. A lot more sheltered than the ridge. Haven't been round there this year but there is generaly a route up avoiding snow which can still be there in August! Always avoided the snow in Summer as you can imagine for fear of it giving way.

I am sure you know all this better than me being an experienced walker / climber but always feels better not going the path way even if you are just missing out the zig zags!

 

[buzyg]

First rain here at the moment for two weeks. The light but soaking kind

And yes I can guarantee it rains more here than anywhere else in the UK.

That said it is one of the most scenic (not always pretty) and dramatic places to stay.

Hope the weather gets a bit better for you.

Yup I've been watching the Ben Nevis web cam for a fortnight. Suddenly, after blue sky every day, all the mountains have vanished completely from view. Winds getting up too so might have to be the tourist route up the Ben, which will be a bit disappointing after training for two months. Fingers crossed for a few hours weather window to try the CMD Arette.

If it's too windy for the sky run of the arrette then you can go up the "gully" as I think I described before. CIC hut and then a scramble around the corner to join where the arrette meets the Ben. A lot more sheltered than the ridge. Haven't been round there this year but there is generally a route up avoiding snow which can still be there in August! Always avoided the snow in Summer as you can imagine for fear of it giving way.

I am sure you know all this better than me being an experienced walker / climber but always feels better not going the path way even if you are just missing out the zig zags!

Very little experience of snow and ice. Much experience of Dartmoor. Which is pretty flat exposed and can be hard to navigate, once your up there, in poor weather. However it's only 2000ft and 600 miles South, so only gets a few weeks snow a year. All advice on where to tread and not to tread wrt snow greatly received.

 

[Geezah]

I avoid the snow mate, unless you have x ray vision. Recovered, yes, Recovered enough who have fallen off thanks to cornicing snow. Couldn't avoid it on one section on Monday and my leg went right down into a hole. Lucky not to break my ankle.

People grossly underestimate the danger in Scotland's hills. They think that because they're not so high that they are piss easy.

Stay safe and enjoy your fish and chips!

 

[buzyg]

I avoid the snow mate, unless you have x ray vision. Recovered, yes, Recovered enough who have fallen off thanks to cornicing snow. Couldn't avoid it on one section on Monday and my leg went right down into a hole. Lucky not to break my ankle.

People grossly underestimate the danger in Scotland's hills. They think that because they're not so high that they are piss easy.

Stay safe and enjoy your fish and chips!

Well I got my fish and chips today and they were mighty tastey.

Will be heading up the route AlfaS suggested in the morning. Expecting the SW wind to hit at the top of the gully, but not too far from there. Just hope it's not too foggy on top.

Was there snow still covering the summit?

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

I avoid the snow mate, unless you have x ray vision. Recovered, yes, Recovered enough who have fallen off thanks to cornicing snow. Couldn't avoid it on one section on Monday and my leg went right down into a hole. Lucky not to break my ankle.

People grossly underestimate the danger in Scotland's hills. They think that because they're not so high that they are piss easy.

Stay safe and enjoy your fish and chips!

Well I got my fish and chips today and they were mighty tastey.

Will be heading up the route AlfaS suggested in the morning. Expecting the SW wind to hit at the top of the gully, but not too far from there. Just hope it's not too foggy on top.

Was there snow still covering the summit?

The mist started only 300ft from sea level today on my way home from work. Never saw the top of the Mel an tee let alone the Ben today!
The gully looked like pea soup. If going up by the North face (CIC hut and around as you have said) then the last part of the scramble will be very wet and slippy with that weather so if not confident at the time then leave it.

If you do get up to where the sky run and Ben meet on the last scramble up look out for the metal poles. These mark the way for the last part of the scramble to the summit.

Weather is bloody awful today and hope is better for you tomorrow. If going then make sure you leave your number and time leaving etc with someone as phone signal is lost round the corner of the North face for a bit.

Enjoy and be safe

 

[craig3.2]

Has anyone got any more photos of the Drive we went on?

Be nice to see more pics of our meet,as i was too busy driving to get any decent ones

 

[metal licker]

Has anyone got any more photos of the Drive we went on?

Be nice to see more pics of our meet,as i was too busy driving to get any decent ones

Sorry only took a couple and the co-pilot was on strike

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

Sorry Craig I only took two which I have posted already.

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

I avoid the snow mate, unless you have x ray vision. Recovered, yes, Recovered enough who have fallen off thanks to cornicing snow. Couldn't avoid it on one section on Monday and my leg went right down into a hole. Lucky not to break my ankle.

People grossly underestimate the danger in Scotland's hills. They think that because they're not so high that they are piss easy.

Stay safe and enjoy your fish and chips!

Well I got my fish and chips today and they were mighty tastey.

Will be heading up the route AlfaS suggested in the morning. Expecting the SW wind to hit at the top of the gully, but not too far from there. Just hope it's not too foggy on top.

Was there snow still covering the summit?

The mist started only 300ft from sea level today on my way home from work. Never saw the top of the Mel an tee let alone the Ben today!
The gully looked like pea soup. If going up by the North face (CIC hut and around as you have said) then the last part of the scramble will be very wet and slippy with that weather so if not confident at the time then leave it.

If you do get up to where the sky run and Ben meet on the last scramble up look out for the metal poles. These mark the way for the last part of the scramble to the summit.

Weather is bloody awful today and hope is better for you tomorrow. If going then make sure you leave your number and time leaving etc with someone as phone signal is lost round the corner of the North face for a bit.

Enjoy and be safe

The weather was a bit better today. How did you get on?

Hope you got there

At the very least I never heard any helicopters !

 

[mr wilks]

A run out , multiple Zs & minimum photos :wink: schoolboy error guys no excuse for lack of pics on a meet

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

There loads of pics.

Not from me true as I never have a co pilot or I would never keep up!

7,8 and 9

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

I avoid the snow mate, unless you have x ray vision. Recovered, yes, Recovered enough who have fallen off thanks to cornicing snow. Couldn't avoid it on one section on Monday and my leg went right down into a hole. Lucky not to break my ankle.

People grossly underestimate the danger in Scotland's hills. They think that because they're not so high that they are piss easy.

Stay safe and enjoy your fish and chips!

Well I got my fish and chips today and they were mighty tastey.

Will be heading up the route AlfaS suggested in the morning. Expecting the SW wind to hit at the top of the gully, but not too far from there. Just hope it's not too foggy on top.

Was there snow still covering the summit?

Found these photos of an old run up the North side / arrette route until the CIC hut. Too much snow that day (plus we had dogs) to go the full route to the top of the Ben. Hope the weather allowed you to get up.



On the run up to the CIC hut although this was taken on the way down.


At the CIC hut.




The view further up from the CIC hut. You can see the bluf / corner you go around and also the start of the sky run against the sky.

 

[mr wilks]

Fantastic pic , your 3 Borders look great

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

Fantastic pic , your 3 Borders look great

Not my dogs Mr Wilks but one of my pals. "Jed" the male is a cracker and can give you a tow up the hill.

 

[mr wilks]

Fantastic pic , your 3 Borders look great

Not my dogs Mr Wilks but one of my pals. "Jed" the male is a cracker and can give you a tow up the hill.

We,re on the lookout for another Border (bitch ) if you hear of any with good breeding ?
Took us 12 months last time to find the right one in Ulverston so in no hurry , specifically want blue + tan with longer legs as Jessie

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

Fantastic pic , your 3 Borders look great

Not my dogs Mr Wilks but one of my pals. "Jed" the male is a cracker and can give you a tow up the hill.

We,re on the lookout for another Border (bitch ) if you hear of any with good breeding ?
Took us 12 months last time to find the right one in Ulverston so in no hurry , specifically want blue + tan with longer legs as Jessie

My pal Lynn breeds them actually but any prospective owners are vetted!

I dont know much about it all. Her dogs are all short legged but I assume she will know folk. I can ask next time I see her.

 

[buzyg]

I avoid the snow mate, unless you have x ray vision. Recovered, yes, Recovered enough who have fallen off thanks to cornicing snow. Couldn't avoid it on one section on Monday and my leg went right down into a hole. Lucky not to break my ankle.

People grossly underestimate the danger in Scotland's hills. They think that because they're not so high that they are piss easy.

Stay safe and enjoy your fish and chips!

Well I got my fish and chips today and they were mighty tastey.

Will be heading up the route AlfaS suggested in the morning. Expecting the SW wind to hit at the top of the gully, but not too far from there. Just hope it's not too foggy on top.

Was there snow still covering the summit?

Found these photos of an old run up the North side / arrette route until the CIC hut. Too much snow that day (plus we had dogs) to go the full route to the top of the Ben. Hope the weather allowed you to get up.

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The view further up from the CIC hut. You can see the bluf / corner you go around and also the start of the sky run against the sky.

Made it, hard day on my old bones. Certainly a good work out. I headed up past the bluf. It was damp dangerous looking snow all the way up, on the right. Climbed up the left side on to the ridge. Not recommended. Basically free climbed up 250m of lose wet rock. Being pelted by hail and then snow. lol. Wanted to take a photo at that point but no safe place to. Once I got on to the ridge it was much easier and the arret was fine. Bit windy but after that climb, a relative breeze. Hit the cloud base at the cairn and took a while before I found the poles. Got to the top and no one there. Then one guy turned up, so asked him to take the obligatory photo. Route down was indeed boring, with great views. Will get some pics up when I get back.

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

Well I got my fish and chips today and they were mighty tastey.

Will be heading up the route AlfaS suggested in the morning. Expecting the SW wind to hit at the top of the gully, but not too far from there. Just hope it's not too foggy on top.

Was there snow still covering the summit?

Found these photos of an old run up the North side / arrette route until the CIC hut. Too much snow that day (plus we had dogs) to go the full route to the top of the Ben. Hope the weather allowed you to get up.

[/url]

The view further up from the CIC hut. You can see the bluf / corner you go around and also the start of the sky run against the sky.

Made it, hard day on my old bones. Certainly a good work out. I headed up past the bluf. It was damp dangerous looking snow all the way up, on the right. Climbed up the left side on to the ridge. Not recommended. Basically free climbed up 250m of lose wet rock. Being pelted by hail and then snow. lol. Wanted to take a photo at that point but no safe place to. Once I got on to the ridge it was much easier and the arret was fine. Bit windy but after that climb, a relative breeze. Hit the cloud base at the cairn and took a while before I found the poles. Got to the top and no one there. Then one guy turned up, so asked him to take the obligatory photo. Route down was indeed boring, with great views. Will get some pics up when I get back.

Awesome getting up there. The wee climb just before the arrette gets the blood pumping and is a different beast when wet. Dry you skip up but wet requires a lot more care.

A great adventure to have had. The path down can be beutiful but you would just have been walking through cloud so not so good. The weather on the Ben got better in the evening I noticed with the top clearing but it is always in the lap of the gods.

 

[buzyg]

Found these photos of an old run up the North side / arrette route until the CIC hut. Too much snow that day (plus we had dogs) to go the full route to the top of the Ben. Hope the weather allowed you to get up.

[/url]

The view further up from the CIC hut. You can see the bluf / corner you go around and also the start of the sky run against the sky.

Made it, hard day on my old bones. Certainly a good work out. I headed up past the bluf. It was damp dangerous looking snow all the way up, on the right. Climbed up the left side on to the ridge. Not recommended. Basically free climbed up 250m of lose wet rock. Being pelted by hail and then snow. lol. Wanted to take a photo at that point but no safe place to. Once I got on to the ridge it was much easier and the arret was fine. Bit windy but after that climb, a relative breeze. Hit the cloud base at the cairn and took a while before I found the poles. Got to the top and no one there. Then one guy turned up, so asked him to take the obligatory photo. Route down was indeed boring, with great views. Will get some pics up when I get back.

Awesome getting up there. The wee climb just before the arrette gets the blood pumping and is a different beast when wet. Dry you skip up but wet requires a lot more care.

A great adventure to have had. The path down can be beutiful but you would just have been walking through cloud so not so good. The weather on the Ben got better in the evening I noticed with the top clearing but it is always in the lap of the gods.

Certainly is I recon it cleared pretty soon after I started down. I got some mist free photos while still on the summit platue. I had only dropped about 100 m. On the way up you could not see the arete from the cic hut. So the cloud had been a lot lower. Drove to Malaig this evening. Fun road.

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

Made it, hard day on my old bones. Certainly a good work out. I headed up past the bluf. It was damp dangerous looking snow all the way up, on the right. Climbed up the left side on to the ridge. Not recommended. Basically free climbed up 250m of lose wet rock. Being pelted by hail and then snow. lol. Wanted to take a photo at that point but no safe place to. Once I got on to the ridge it was much easier and the arret was fine. Bit windy but after that climb, a relative breeze. Hit the cloud base at the cairn and took a while before I found the poles. Got to the top and no one there. Then one guy turned up, so asked him to take the obligatory photo. Route down was indeed boring, with great views. Will get some pics up when I get back.

Awesome getting up there. The wee climb just before the arrette gets the blood pumping and is a different beast when wet. Dry you skip up but wet requires a lot more care.

A great adventure to have had. The path down can be beutiful but you would just have been walking through cloud so not so good. The weather on the Ben got better in the evening I noticed with the top clearing but it is always in the lap of the gods.

Certainly is I recon it cleared pretty soon after I started down. I got some mist free photos while still on the summit platue. I had only dropped about 100 m. On the way up you could not see the arete from the cic hut. So the cloud had been a lot lower. Drove to Malaig this evening. Fun road.

That road is good and the fish and chips are tastey at the end but that is all that is in Mallaig really. Some good twists and a good high speed bit at the end

You should drive the road to Newtonmore from Spean. Just a great road. One of my favourites. In Dingwall just now and the weather is great. Nice night for a drive.