Much discussion took place in the week leading up to this weekend. Great plans were made to do Bidean or Ben Nevis via the CMD Arete.  In the event heavy snow made us all a bit nervous and we sensibly (yes, Kathryn can, after all, be sensible!)

Having met up with David who was on his first trip with the club we set off in two cars for the small hamlet of Fersit. We had planned to do the circuit anti-clockwise but somehow we found ourselves on the slopes of Chno Dearg so quickly had a change of plan. The long slope progressively became more snow covered. Unfortunately Jacqui suffered an injury to her leg and Alan gallantly offered to escort her off the mountain! Thankfully the Stronlossit Inn provided plenty of liquid refreshment!

The rest of us carried on eventually making it to the summit. Plans to carry on to Stob Coire Sgriodain were scuppered by a combination of low cloud and Steve and Kathryn being geographically challenged for a short while!

We eventually descended slightly west of our ascent, a route that eventually found us knee deep (waist deep for Alison!) in snow. Mick then managed to lose his sledges temporarily but then found an excellent slope for a bit of fun (thanks Mick - we will never mock your sledges again!).

And so we found our way back to the cars, though not before Mick had sunk beyond his knees into a bog, to meet Jacqui and Alan. We then made our way back to Kinlochleven for the customary meal in the MacDonald Hotel (excellent again!) followed by a few (!) drinks in the Tailrace Inn.

Sunday morning saw a brief spell of heavy snow so we had a look round the new Ice-Factor facility. All I will say is that some of the fairer sex with us seemed very impressed by men with ropes!

Steve Morley