The New Year in Ballachulish. Involving a trip to the sea side, some runs, a few Munros, a couple of unexpected climbs, and family trips up Ben Lora and round Glencoe Lochan. Though the ground was very wet, the weather was often better than forecast and we pooled childcare resources with our friends to make the most of it!
Heading for the beach. Mid-morning sunrise. Boats. End of the buggy road. Loch Leven and Mamores looking good. Snack time. Buggy race? A storm coming in from noon forced an early start up Sgurr na h-Ulaidh, a slightly obscure nearby Munro neither of us had done. View back down the valley to Loch Leven and over the hills to the Ballachulish horseshoe. About to tackle our first winter climb for over six years. Approach to Vixen’s Gully (harder and better than the guidebook’s Grade I no stars). About to head off the summit (into a raging gale, as it turned out). Decent visibility though.New Year’s Eve wander up Ben Lora, a lovely little hill near Oban. Winter sun and an airport. Misty mountains. Peaty summit. Dunstaffnage. Dads’ day out – sunshine and snow!Ascending the dorsal fin. Fantastic belay position. Topping out. We decided no other route would be in pleasant condition, so opted for a traverse of Bidean.The River Laroch (backed onto by our cottage). Evening view from Invercoe. Girls on hills: snowy outing on Bidean with Bethan and Becky. Scouting out the descent into the Lost Valley. Down into the rain – it was nicer up high! Glencoe. Drizzly but fun (and picturesque) circuit of Glencoe Lochan. Making the jetty jump. Dam balancing. The Pap had looked so inviting that we ran up it later, descending in the gloom.
Yellow Van Mountaineering 