Skip to main content

Tinto plus..........


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 walk treat.

Route information available from Walk Highlands 



The gang as we hit the snow line

Snow getting a wee bit deeper

Tinto summit
Fiona showing us her yoga poses on Tinto summit
Looking east from Tinto summit


Stand up lunch as too cold to hang about
Heading down over Lochlyoch Hill





The final descent to the landrover track

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Creag Meagaidh MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Creag Meagaidh has been on the to do list for so long. The past couple of years have seen us have to abort at least three attempts at the last minute because conditions weren't for us. So were we going to get it done this time................. YES  The weather bods said mostly dry with a risk of potential showers later in the day.  It was warm so even if it did rain it would be warm.  Off we set having smothered ourselves in factor 50 and Smidge. Warm they said.......... baking I said!!!! We had decided our ascent would be via Coire Ardair and The Window to ease us into the walk on a good path.  It felt more like a slow roasting.  It is a gorgeous walk out to Coire Ardair on a very good path but as soon as we were out of the forest the heat and humidity kicked in.  When we reached Lochan Coire Ardair there was only one thing on my mind, getting my boots off and getting in.  It was at this point I began having major doubts as to whether we woul...

Ben Lomond - 8th time lucky

This was my first Munro so many years ago I can't even remember when. It's my local hill. But until today I'd never had a view from on top. There have been days in the past when I knew on leaving the car park I wasn't going to see anything. That was fine, I just wanted out on the hill. It was the days with the promise that I'd get my view and didn't that fed my love hate relationship with this hill. January last year was the last time we visited just after a huge dump of snow. It was a mini epic due to leaving too late, loads of fantastically deep snow and coming down in the dark - fun :-D The forecast had said best south of the A85 with cloud base over 1000m, maybe today was the day I would get a view. The route was inevitable, via Ptarmagin Ridge. For me the tourist route is only ever for descent. One day however I will try out ptc* route as it looks like fun, just not this time. From the drive in we could see that there was still a good covering of snow. It...

Castle Tioram, Moidart

We've really been enjoying getting to know this area.  Moidart and it's surrounds are full of hidden gems.  Castle Tioram is one of them.  I apologise for the many castle photos but we were blown away at the grandeur of the place even it its ruinous state.  When the weather started looking a bit iffy we decided to drive out to Ardnamurchan Point in the hope it would clear over and we'd get a nice sunset.  It was not to be but still a nice place to sit.