Mar 313 min read

Ardverikie Trip Scotland 2024

Updated: May 27

Here’s Anne’s report from the recent Scottish trip. Pics are at the bottom and a link to the full trip picture album is on the thread on the forum. https://www.avon-mc.org.uk/forums/topic/scotland-winter-mountaineering-trip-march-2024/

The first day of this trip promised reasonably fair weather with snow on the mountain tops and three separate groups set out from the farmhouse. Vianney and Anton headed for Creag Meagaidh where the good snow conditions enabled them to climb Raeburns gulley, a grade 1 route, Anne and Julian drove round to Fersit to explore some industrial archaeology and old railway lines crossing the mountains. Lisa and Jamie decided to take advantage of the key to open up the gates to Ardverikie estate roads to access Ben Alder via Loch Pattack. They climbed Ben Alder on a grade 3 route known as Alderwand. This was an arduous undertaking with a total of 20 miles of walking and they returned late at 11pm, tired but satisfied with their achievement. Justin was still to arrive and Ben arrived that evening. Monday and Jamie and Lisa headed for the skiing at Cairngorm although the loss of the vernacular railway means walking some of the way up to access the higher slopes. Vianney and Anton were also in the Cairngorms where they climbed on Coire An t- Sneachda and Anne and Julian explored the window on Craeg Meagaidh. Ben enjoyed walking around the vast Ardverikie estate visiting the hydro electric dam and waterfalls. Tuesday and the snow conditions were holding out although the mountain tops were mostly shrouded in cloud. Ben decided to try out the skiing at Glencoe although as photo shows visibility wasn’t great. Others went to Coire an t-Sneachda where Lisa and Jamie climbed Alladin’s Couloir and Alladin’s Mirror direct, Vianney and Anton did Fiacaill Couloir descending via Fiacaill Ridge. Anne and Julian decided on a rest day and found some excellent Cullen Skink in Newtonmore. Wednesday promised to be windy so Anne and Julian headed for a low level walk in Glen Feshie walking into the Ruigh Aiteachain bothy. The project to remove most of the deer has enabled nature to thrive again in the glen which was teeming with frogs but it was distressing to see the damage the winter storms have wrought on many of the trees. Anton and Vianney went to Huntley’s cave for some sheltered climbing. Lisa and Jamie tried climbing the famous Ardverikie wall on Binnen Shuas but were forced off by the big winds and Ben’s second day of skiing found the ski centre closed due to the winds. Justin arrived that evening and the snow conditions continuing to be good he and Anton made an early start the following morning and were at the CIC hut on Ben Nevis by 8.40am going on to climb Tower Scoop III. They had great conditions and described it as a joy to climb. Lisa and Jamie climbed Hells Lum in the Cairngorms and Anne and Julian drove to the start of the Lairag Leachac and walked up to the waterfall in Coire Ceannan. Vianney enjoyed a rest day. Rain had been expected in the afternoon but the weather held good until the evening however snow fell across the mountains over night. Weather conditions were uncertain for Friday but Justin decided to take a look at Raeburns Gulley which he was able to solo. Vianney and Anton hoped for another climb on Corie an’t Sneachda but ended up breaking trail through deep snow on Cairngorm. Anne and Julian spent the day exploring the massive Ardverikie estate by vehicle including its hydro schemes old and new and the herds of red deer, it possibly being their last opportunity to do so. Ben also enjoyed some of the walking the estate has to offer. Lisa and Jamie had to head home early for a family commitment.

All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip. The location is wonderful and it is to be hoped that the club will continue to support the option of winter climbing and mountaineering in Scotland. Anne Silber