Training Log Archive: Jon X

Back to Glencoe, Sgor na h-Ulaidh this time. Took on the steep descent early (crampons again) and rewarded with yet more sunny views from the ridge as we went over Ston an Fhurain and on to Sgor na h-Ulaidh. Next door Bidean was covered in cloud and looking pretty mean and moody so we felt pretty lucky. First bit of the descent was quite tricky, very happy to follow Jo's expert lead!

Strange outbreaks of activity in the morning from other JOK types, Corbett-bagging for some and the Aonach Gondola uphill race for others. I easily managed to resist the temptation of either.

However I did head out for a run in the afternoon, on tracks up through the woods above Inchree. Snow deep enough to make it hard work but not too deep so could run okay. Kept going uphill until it levelled out, then back down drinking in the view and sunset over the sea lochs to the south.

Glencoe today for me, MC, Tim, Jon M and Ian C whilst others headed over to Ardgour on the Corran Ferry. Target was Bidean nam Bian today, ascending via Coire nan Lochan.

Good but icy path up the first half of the climb and then we headed south to gain the ridge - all pretty icy and wind swept so crampons on for the first time in quite a while. The climb to the ridge was hard work and so was the ridge itself, really atmospheric climb though, emerging right at the summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan.

The climb took a long time so for time/speed reasons MC and I headed down the west ridge and found a descent route back into Coire nan Lochan whilst the others went on to Bidean. The west ridge was much easier going although icy and windswept with wacky snow formations (footprint pillars), and with lots of cornicing (climbing in the corrie a no go because of avalanching).

Another fantastic day in the mountains......although it would have been slightly shorter if the others had been able to navigate back to the right car park.....

After all these years of shortlisting and nominations at New Year gatherings, "the Ballachulish Two" finally won the award!

Pretty windy on the hill so climbed the (very) steep west flank of Sgorr Dhearg rather than go to the col and then fight up the ridge, hard work! Gained the ridge just south of the summit, then back down to the col and up Sgorr Dhonuill looking back in wonder at just how steep and rocky our ascent route was! Then a bit further west along the ridge and a descent back down to the forest roads and South Ballachulish.

Today's posse was me, MC, Jo, Tim, Jon M, Ollie, Ian W, Pete, Julian, Ian C and Ed. I think.