Blethering Blonde

It was that time again......... the Craggy annual pilgrimage to the Luss Hills.  Today it was just Steve, Jake and Elaina making the most of the perfect weather conditions. It wasn't as snowy underfoot as last year but there was still enough to give us lots of pretty pictures.  Route details on Walk Highlands And off we go, heading up Beinn Dubh Sun glinting on Loch Lomond The boys and Ben Lomond  Views opening up as we reach the first Beinn Dubh Arrochar Alps looking magnificent  Ben Lomond On the summit of Beinn Dubh Heading down off Mid Hill Looking back up Mid Hill

South was the direction of choice for today's Craggy adventure to one of the first hills I ever climbed - Culter Fell. It was great to have some old friends from Outdoorsmagic, Ben and Jo, join us as well as Karen, Archie and spaniel Lottie. We were surprised to be the only cars parking up when we got there.  Suspect everyone was heading to the snowy north to join the A82 carpark!! It was a tad chillier, windier and cloudier than we expected from the forecast as we set off but we were clinging to the hope it would improve as promised.  There was still a fair bit of snow around but thankfully not too deep so the drag up Shin Fell wasn't too bad.  Unfortunately the summit of Culter Fell was clagged in and not very hospitable.  As we headed for Moss Law it eventually started to clear and the sun even attempted to come out.  We stopped for lunch at Holm Nick and looked up at the very appropriately named Gathersnow Hill with its cornice.  The original pl...

For once the weather gods were in our favour.  The only issue was being able to get to the hills to play in all this glorious snow that had been dumped during the week.  It was a no brainer.  There was only really one contender.  "Just" the Luss Hills for Craggy crew of Alan, Kathryn, Niamh, Claire, Fiona, Jean, Roddy, Steve and myself.  Route details available here from Walk Highlands. Thankfully the roads were OK and we all made it to Luss though the Gaffney's did deploy the snow slippers to escape their campsite. Well I had Lou Reed playing in my head all day as it really was a Perfect Day.  The deep snow may have made it more energy sapping (code for calorie burning) but it was an absolute pleasure to be out on this blue sky perfect winter day.  There were a lot more folk than we would normally see on this route all with the same idea - to make the most of these gems of hills. Needless to say lots of photos were taken and there was lot...

Tinto is Lanarkshire's default hill. I've lost count the number of times I've done it since my first ascent from Wiston Lodge aged 12 on a school activities week.  Today's Air Na Creagan outing we had 6 in the group who were experiencing it for the first time.   The cold blast had given us some snow though not as much as we'd anticipated. We headed up the usual route and were on top in good time. As usual Tinto's wind vortex was in full swing so a quick summit shot before finding shelter to discuss return routes. This is where Steve shared his cunning plan to avoid a wind blasted slippy descent via our ascent route. We were to be treated by heading west over Lochlyoch Hill.  What a treat too with all the powder snow on this side making the route back to the minor road very enjoyable. Our alternative route may have doubled the distance but it added loads to the enjoyment of the day.  As always, The Tinto Hill Tearoom provided a welcome post w...