Maol Chean-dearg

Walk Summary

Epic day to claim our first Munro of the year in full on winter conditions. 

Looking back at Beinn Alligin beyond Loch Torridon
on way up Maol Chean-dearg

Two hour walk in from Annat before start of three hour ascent up NW shoulder and easterly approach to summit, including snow climb and icy scramble up crag half way up then lots of ice axe work and finally crampons to gain the summit. Ideas of tagging on Graham - Beinn na h-Eaglaise abandoned with decision to descend down SW ridge to avoid craggy descent back the way we came and pick up path we were familiar with from route taken up/down An Ruadh-stac last week.
Arguably a mistake, as could not find path so was an absolute slog through knee deep snow and sometimes waist deep drifts. Usually funny to see your mate struggling in the snow but when you are waist deep in a snow filled river gully and see your mate up to his chest in snow it becomes less than amusing. At this point he crawled/swam to the grassy edge and I resorted to rolling.
With blizzard on ascent mixed in with lots of spin drift, thought we had braved all that winter conditions could throw at us, made so much sweeter by topping out on the summit to the only sunshine of the day.
Walk out seemed so much harder partly due to not finding time to eat lunch until 4:30pm, tired from days exertions and finally retracing steps along path that was clear of deep snow on walk in was now covered in drifts and lashed with high winds and spin drift almost until we saw Loch Torridon below about one hour from vehicle.
Been up a Munro in Winter before but not in full on winter conditions.
Always wanted to find out what it would be like. Now I know. But not recommended under any circumstances alone.
What a great experience and adventure to share with Jon Glew.

Walk Statistics

Walk Date - 12 February 2018
Walkers - Steve Smith, Jon Glew
Accommodation - Anancaun Holiday Cottage
Start Point - Layby on eastbound side of A896 west of Annat (NG 89323 54417)
Start Time - 08:44
Finish Point - Layby on eastbound side of A896 west of Annat (NG 89323 54417)
Finish Time- 18:36
Total Duration - 9hrs 52mins 
Overall Average pace - 1.14mph
Total Distance Walked - 11.23 miles
Total Height Ascended - 1166.02metres

Peaks visited
Munro (282)
Maol Chean-dearg (72)
Munro Top (227)

NONE
Murdo (443)
Maol Chean-dearg (91)
Corbett (221)
NONE
Corbett Top  (455)
NONE
Corbett Top of Munro (???)
NONE
Corbett Top of Corbett (???)
NONE
Graham (219)
NONE
Graham Top (777)
NONE
Graham Top of Munro (???)
NONE
Graham Top of Corbett (???)
NONE
Graham Top of Graham (???)
NONE
Marilyn (1218S - 1556E,W&S))
Maol Chean-dearg (178S - 449E,W&S)
Hump (2168S - 2976E,W&S)
Maol Chean-dearg (212S - 558E,W&S)
Highland Five (776)
NONE

Simm (2188S - 2528E,W &S)
Maol Chean-dearg (193S - 520E,W&S)
Historic County Tops (49E - 93E,W&S)
NONE
S: Scotland. 
E,W&S:England,Wales & Scotland

Other walks on this trip
2018
January
28^th Hail Storm Hill
29^th Winter Hill, Billinge & Fair Snape Fell
30^th Lake District Marilyns on way to Newtonmore
31^st Creag Bheag & Cruban BheagFebruary
01^st Meall nan Eagan & Creag na Doire Duibhe
02^nd Carn an Fhreiceadain
03^rd Ord Ban
04^th Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine & Sgurr Dubh

05^th Seana Mheallan
06^th Lake District Marilyns on way to Newtonmore
08^th An Ruadh-stac

09^th Carn Breac & Beinn na Feusaige
11^th Ben Shieldaig & An Staonach
12^th Maol Chean-dearg
13^th An Sgurr & Bad a' Chreamha
12^th 
13^th 

Route

GPX can be downloaded from

www.shareyouradventure.com

More Photographs

First site of Maol Chean-dearg after1¾ walking from Annat

Click on photograph to view slide-show