Ptarmigan Meet Glen Clova

(29.3.2015) Ben Tirran, 17km, 5hrs 45min

Dropped off the B955 at Wheen by the club bus and headed NW up the landrover track up to Rough Craig 529m. From here we took the path NE up to Loch Wharral and then up to the summit of Ben Tirran 896m. Made our way West over the plateau curving around the craigs of Loch Wharrel over to Green Hill 870m then over to Boustie Lay 876m. The going was hard to Boustie Lay over peat hags and really soft snow. From here we headed SE above Corrie of Clova and followed the corrie around and descended South via The Snub down by Loch Brandy to the Glen Clova Hotel. The weather was windy, overcast but clear with a rain shower near the descent.

Brattleburn Bothy

(21.3.2015) Brattleburn Bothy, 2hrs, 4.6km

Night nav and abit of a mission to get to the bothy from Middlegill. Missed the turning and the other way the path was blocked by downed trees. Crossed over the Cloffin burn and followed a wall as a hand rail. Headed upwards through a felled area and saw the distant bothy light. Women was already in the main room so we left her and went to the other room. Got a fire on the go outside. Andy cooked the sausages. Banter was flowing. A cold night but in the morning the women left with a cheeky note saying she left more tired than she arrived. That we made a noise as there was a few groups coming and going. Got a fire on the go in the morning then left later on.

Highways Weekend Tulloch Station

(14.3.2015) Beinn Teallach & Beinn a’ Chaorainn, 23km, 8hours

Climbed with a 3 night stay at Tulloch Station on the WHW line with the Highways Hillwalking Club.  Me, Sandy and Shane headed N from Tulloch Station then along the A86 before heading through the forest at Burnside Cottage. Headed out onto the open hillside before back into a forest and around felled trees. Realised we made a mistake entering the forest. Backtracked then made our way E, crossing the footbridge over the Feith Shiol. The Allt a'Chaorainn looked difficult to cross without descending so we followed the path N then ascended the Southern slopes of Beinn Teallach first. The going up the slopes was easy with soft snow until ice, crispy hard with soft snow at the summit at 915m. Good views all around. Descended down the NE ridge, slid a wee bit. Had a bite to eat near the bealach at 614m. We then began the climb, which was tiring for me, SE up to the top at 1043m then contined S along the ridge, keeping well away from the edge as there was alot of cornices. The ground underfoot was occasionally hard and icy but also soft. Soon reached the summit at 1052 and then onto the Southern top before descending SW, crossing the Allt a'Chaorainn  and then returning back to Tulloch Station.

(15.3.2015) Chno Dearg & Stob Coire Sgriodain, 18.5km, 7hrs

Next again day after a good breakfast, me and sand set off for Fersit, along the railway line. Passed the farm, South through the gate out onto open boggy moorland.  At around 400m it was time to put on the crampons due to the overnight frost and the icy snow on the North facing slope. Patches of snow required kicking in steps up the steep gullys up by  Sron na Garbh-bheinne and again before we hit the ridge and the summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain. Had a bite to eat while enjoying the views down Loch Treig. Continued on SW over the rocky and icy terrain down to the tops at 958m, 924m and 923m. We then headed NE ascending the SW  slopes of Chno Dearg. There was a strong wind at the summit so didn’t linger long. Descended NW down the slopes of Chno Dearg using the survival bag to make light work of the snow and made our way back to Tulloch Station. The day was clear and sunny with the wind picking up later.