GlenCoeJan2000



Monday 3rd January - Friday 7th January Here comes the rain!

Monday 3rd January
Today was stormy on the summits - we weren't planning to go out walking anyway as it was shopping day today. Instead we spent endless hours browsing the shelves of the Fort William gear shops. Most people ended up buying something from the gear shops - including a few munro books.....A sign of a new group of munroists emerging? Plenty of time was also spent at the food shops with a few centimeters added to most peoples waistlines.

Tuesday 4th January
We all went out walking today. There was rain that came and went during the morning and the afternoon was brighter and dryer with ample sunshine.

Most people went out to make an attempt on the summit of Bidean nan Bian. Half the group turned back due to strong winds and whiteout conditions. In the words of Ashley "only those with complete environmental protection continued". The rest of the group - Andy, Dave and Tim - reached the subsidiary top of Stob Coire an Lochan.



The freezing conditions on the summit slopes weren't cold enough to freeze the falling rain. Consequently the rain froze on contact with peoples clothes and rucksacks turning them into 'suits of armour'!.

Another group made an attempt on Buchaille Etive Beag. That mountain has two summits. They were headed for the bealach between the summits. They turned back just short of the bealach because of strong winds and unpleasant conditions.

Only Anthony Dyer achieved what he set out to do - the western Aonach Eagach munro.

The day finished with reasonable weather though the night saw even more rain coming along to make Wednesday a complete washout.

Wednesday 5th January
Today wasn't a day for walking - not even Anthony could be bothered - and that's saying something! Hurricane force winds were forecast for the summits, the rain lashed down in Glen Coe and so it was time to chicken off to Oban to the distillery! For a £3 tour you get a dram of the stuff. Yet another day to put on the calories. We tried to visit the Kingshouse bar on Rannoch Moor on the way back - it was closed and anyway the drive was flooded and turned into a river.



Thursday 6th January
The final day for walking - excellent weather superb views and hard crisp snow. The group fragmented into groups of two and did their own thing.



Dave and Ashley did a Corbett near the ski area called Beinn a' Chrulaiste, Tim and Mick went Skiing, Lee climbed the pap of Glen Coe,Anthony and Alistair did the eastern Aonach Eagach munro, and Andy and Alex climbed Buchaille Etive Mor. All groups reported a successful and darn good day

Next day was yet more storms - just as well - we were going home that day!