Total climbing: 835 m
Total time: 08:02:30
Some interesting data
4-mile cycle in. 5-mile walk – very slow when the snow got deep. 4-mile cycle out.
We left the cottage on the bikes at about 8.45am.
8.46 – Fresh snow on the rail tracks
We headed south on the West Highland Way, like the day before.
9.12 – A wintry West Highland Way
It had snowed throughout the evening and night. On the road, there was an inch of snow turning to slush.
9.40 – A shallow ford
We rode for about an hour to the viaduct, crossing this ford. We had been here the day before on foot.
The viaduct map reference is: NN335362.
9.46 – The Auch Glen viaduct
We planned to leave the bikes by the viaduct, but there were large slabs of snow falling on the path from high up.
To avoid the risk of been hit on our heads, we left the bikes by the trees nearby. It felt like a more sensible option.
10.19 – Liath and Mounty by the trees
On foot, we took the path up Glen Coralon.
The snow was getting thicker on the ground, but it was still easy to walk.
11.08 – Leaving the glen below
We got to the end of the track and climbed upon the ridge of Beinn a’ Chaisteil.
We followed the ridge in a northwesterly direction. Soon we found the fence and followed it.
12.37 – Simon ascending Beinn a’ Chaisteil
We stopped for lunch and considered whether the snow was getting too deep for us to continue.
13.09 – Nature’s art
By now we couldn’t tell if it was safe. Some of the fence poles were partly disappearing under the snow.
In the end, we decided to leave Beinn a’ Chaisteil for another occasion. We turned and went back down.
13.09 – The feeble fence
Visibility was very low, at times close to a whiteout.
13.42 – Maria descending *
I was glad to have that fence to walk along, even if it was hardly standing in some places.
14.03 – Looking back at Beinn a’ Chaisteil
On the way back we sledged down in part. Then I got stuck in hip deep snow. It was somewhat scary.
Simon helped me out and we continued down, very slowly.
14.09 – Simon sledging, sort of
On our descent, we had seen some sheep here and there.
By now a flock was staring at us, wondering why we were tramping on their snow.
14.10 – Sheep, ready to attack?
It was a magic winter day. The low light had transformed the landscape into a black and white world.
14.42 – A humble sun appearing through the cloud
We regained the Land Rover track and walked back to the bikes.
15.05 – Back on the path
To avoid being hit by the snow slabs that were still falling off the viaduct, we ran while looking up.
We repacked the panniers, had some lobster bisque to warm ourselves up, and rode back the way we came.
15.22 – A proper fence
By now the snow had melted, so the path was clear.
While we were riding, we came across a hill walker, the only person we saw all day. We stopped for a chat.
He was a well equipped guy from Dundee. He told us he had done four Munros the day before.
He thought the bikes were a great idea, and they are indeed. They save you a lot of walking, and you can get a lot further in the short winter days.
15.36 – Riding back to the cottage
We got back to the cottage just before 5pm.
It was a great day. Sometimes giving up is the wisest choice.
I took all the photos with the Panasonic.
* Simon took this photo.