The alarm went off at 7am and I jumped out of bed so it didn’t wake everyone else in the place, both of us were keen to have breakfast quickly and get set away. Luckily we were first for breakfast, beating the large group also staying by a few minutes.

The track out of Kinlochleven started a few yards from the hotel, climbing steeply up the bank side and continued gaining height quite rapidly. The weather was damp with cloud at 2200 feet again. Today though the cloud looked set for the day, as it was. We passed a woman walking her dog  5 minutes out of Kinlochleven, this turned out to be the last person we would see until almost at the road in Glen Nevis (5+ hours later).

As we walked higher the air became damper and eventually the rain started and forced us to put waterproof jackets on. The first time for the entire trip, it wouldn’t be Scotland without some rain. It may of rained but there was still plenty of snow underfoot, much of it was the soft slushy kind.

The walking was different again to every other day, this time along a high mountain pass. The rain didn’t last long luckily, it didn’t damped my spirits too much either. The scenery while not as spectacular as it would of been in the sun, was still impressive and probably made it feel more hostile and lonely.

dodgy pose

I found myself lost in thought a lot through out the day. My mind processing the previous days, what the future would hold and all sorts of other things. I still had songs and phrases stuck in my head, the only one I can remember now though is Robbie Williams – Man Machine. Which I thought was bad until Phil told me had the music you expect a man to strip to, don’t know the name but know the tune. Thank god he hadn’t started humming that the previous night, when sharing a room!!

You can tell on the WHW when you are nearing somewhere more populated by the number of way markers and information boards. The first we had seen today was near Lochan Lunn-Da-Bhra, on the map there is a large wood but this has almost entirely gone. We stopped here for “Elevenses”, where I ate the remains of the goodies Phil brough the day before. This consisted of a sausage roll, half an easter bunny and a can of rum & coke. Phil finished his strange pies, curry and I dread to think what else was in them.

The information board happily confirmed we were over half way for the the day and the end. I say happily but in many ways it wasn’t that happy, I knew with each step the end became closer. I didn’t want it to end.

Once away again it didn’t seem long before we entered a large wood, this time not felled. We kept catching glimpses of the path up Ben Nevis, which from just above the halfway lochan was shrouded in cloud (sadly). A few times I excaimed it should be down hill now, before climing through the wood (sure they’ve changed the path, lol). When the Forestry road was reached I really knew it was the final descent and the road into Fort William. We finally saw the first people of the day heading up towards us since Kinlochleven. We also saw a group of lads playing with what looked like BB guns, oh civilisation

Ben Nevis

As I stepped onto the footpath next to the road in Glen Nevis I felt sad. The walk was almost at an end, this is the first time I can every remember the end of a holiday where I really didn’t want to go home. Even when having good holidays in the past, I’ve always been ready for home by the end. This time I could of happily continued walking, hmm the Great Glen Way…

The last couple of miles must be the worst part of the West Highland Way, after a spectacular walk why make you follow the road into town. There are at least 2 other paths into Fort William, that would of been a far more fitting end to the walk.

Me & Phil (oops bin & covering sign)

As so many before us have done, we stood taking pictures at the sign by the roundabout. There are plans to move the end to the sqaure near Nevis Port and the Alexandria Hotel which would be an improvement. It didn’t matter I’d completed the “Way” on the second time of trying. This time I loved every step of it (even the last bit along the road). I don’t think I could every choose a better week to walk, the weather was stunning and the company the last 2 days wasn’t half bad either (thanks Phil).

No doubt I will have some after thoughts, camera pics and some kit round ups for those more interested in that side of things.

Phil arrived on Friday night bringing with him goodies, Sausage Rolls, rum & coke and a chocolate Easter bunny. This was incredibly generous, maybe these were actually to slow me down?

We stood at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel door ready to charge in the moment they unlocked it for Breakfast. The Bunkhouse is in a separate building out the back.

We both made light work of breakfast, Phil then sorted the gear he was going to take for the trip from various stuff in his car. While waiting, I noticed his Fiat Panda looke quite a bit like a Noddy car, a few minutes later Phil put on a hat that confirms Noddy still lives on. I kept the Noddy stuff to myself.

The route from Bridge of Orchy heads up hill through woods before reaching a small summit, with a view over Loch Tulla. We followed a couple of women heading up the hill who appeared to be going the same direction. They soon stopped to let us by, clearly our superior fitness was clear *cough*.

Phil very quickly regretted leaving his snow shoes in the car. I offered to wait, while he ran back down. I didn’t have any, later in the day I wished I had.

The temperature over the previous 24 hours had increased and a thaw was in progress. Snow that a day or 2 earlier would of been hard, was now very soft. This made the walking quite hard and slower than I would of hoped.

The weather got better, when we set off there was cloud at about 2200 feet. After 2 hours this had almost gone and the sunshine beat down on us.

The further we walked the more remote the scene around us became. I couldn’t help stopping and taking pictures of the mountains in the distance and around us (most on camera, will be uploaded somewhere later).

We could see several deer in the distance and lots of tracks. Deer don’t appear to walk in straight lines but weave along a track much like someone drunk. You could see in previous days that walkers had followed the deer tracks through the snow. I got sick of walking all over the place following peoples tracks and often forged my own, Phil probably wondered what the hell I was doing.

Eventually we stopped for dinner, sorry “lunch” at Ba Bridge. While sat a skier approched heading the opposite direction. We had noticed another skiers tracks from a previous day. The guy stopped for a few minutes, before carrying on. I was too busy pretending to be Colin Prior to hear everything he said. “Too hot” I think he said. The fact that someone can ski from the road near Kingshouse to Loch Tulla gives an idea as to the extent of the snow. Which ranged from a few inches to waist deep on an short expedition I decided to make.

Further along the track we saw another 2 women stopped for lunch. They had walked the opposite direction. As we ascended up a steepish bank with snow drift across it, I noticed a stone cairn reminding me of Thornthwaite in the lakes. Phil didn’t seem to know what I was mumbling on about when I started heading off the track up hill. I said I was going to the cairn. Ge decided to relax at the bottom in the snow. It soon turned into an expedition with waist deep snow up a steep hill, clearly nobody else had been daft enough to walk up. The view did allow me to see the Glencoe ski tow and the pub (Kingshouse).

When I rejoined Phil we headed downhill towards Kingshouse, which was much like a mirage and didn’t appear to get any closer. Eventually we reached the Ski road and Kingshouse beckoned. We thought about posing for the webcams, unfortunately they’re the opposite side to the Climbers bar. Entry to the bar was delayed briefly by a deer 15 feet in front of us. Surprisingly the place was deserted, I’d only ever seen it totally full.

We recharged our batteries, Phil physically attempting to and failing with his solar panel. A woman came in asking for cigarettes but left with a cigar. She returned a few minutes later for another 4, I never saw anyone with her.

From Kingshouse we followed the path to the bottom of the Devils staircase. The snow was very wet and slushy along this section, I managed to submerge both feet above my gaitors leaving me with wet socks. A runner ran by us in the opposite direction, leaving us wondering where he’d ran from.

Before climbing up the devils staircase I bit the head off my Easter bunny and ate the contents of it’s tummy. Don’t worry it was a chocolate one containing buttons. God knows what was in that bunny but i set off at a quick pace, stopping when Phil made a noise letting me know he needed a breather.

The ascent was quite easy and we were soon at the top making the decision to press on to Kinlochleven rather than camp up there. We continued to see the footprints from the runner we saw earlier as we descended. The view to the north was stunning with massive amounts of snow still on the tops.

As the sky turned red and the sun started to disappear we were continuing to descend, but with more ascent than expected. The last few miles were made in darkness, the access track into Kinlochleven is never ending.

We tried the Blackwater bunkhouse but were told they had no room and couldn’t camp until April. The pub had no rooms either, both directed us towards The MacDonald hotel at the far end. I decided to pay for a twin room for us not fancying putting the tent up in the dark. Phil returned the favour with a 3 course meal, not long later we were both asleep after watching the Simon Cowell interview of course (oh no). Oh and Phil demolishing the place!!

Today was a day off, I considered walking up Beinn Dorain. The cloud cloaking the top changed my mind, along with the lack of crampons & ice axe.

I’m holed up in the bar, where since breakfast there has been me and a member of staff (Sarah I think). I’ve had several conversations with her about the West Highland Way, she’s hoping to walk it later in the year. Rather than beer, I’ve stuck to coffee and tea.

It looks like the hotel is having some sort of review, people with clipboards checking everything and taking pictures. I certainly can’t fault the place (Bridge of Orchy Hotel). My room was the bargain price of £40 for 2, tonight is £15 in the bunkhouse.

Rather than turning this into a review of the hotel, I will just recommend if in the area to stop here. They are on Twitter too @Bridgeoforchy1 (Duncan).

I’m not sure what time Phil will be here, probably not for several hours yet. He may find me asleep next to the fire. Can’t wait to get moving in the morning…

I got sick of sitting doing nothing and walked a mile or 2 up the glen for some fresh air.

Today started quite late, leaving the wigwam at 9:30 after a shower and hot chocolate. The walk to Tyndrum was only about 2 miles.

The Real Food Cafe had been recommended by Phil as somewhere not to miss. I stopped on the way to check the opening times and post yesterdays trip report. Unfortunately the Cafe wasn’t open until 12. I was sat next to to the loch of the lost sword, reading an article on the avalanche cutting the train line off. I would be walking past this later. As I was Reading I heard a massive crack, which made me jump. U think it was the ice on the loch shifting or something in the sun.

Twenty minutes later I was entering Tyndrum. I made myself follow the actual WHW around the back, rather than walking into the bottom of Tyndrum (no cheating for me). I still had 30 minutes to waste, a visit to the shop and a pint in Paddys and that disappeared.

I stuck with Phils suggestion of venison sausage, which didn’t dissapoint. The Real Food Cafe is like a posh fish shop.

After leaving Tundrum with the bag stocked up on pies & chocolate the track climbed and the snow although shallow was quite soft. The track from Tyndrum is overall quite flat and would possibly be boring if not for the snow of my trip.

I was keeping an eye out for the avalanche that had closed the train line. It turned out to be between 3 & 5 avalanches, with one large one. I’d been told that they were clearing it on Monday, but while in the bar a railworker said a snow blower should clear it tomorrow.

The snow most of the walk today was quite soft, probably due to the time of day. My eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to Beinn Dorain which I had planned to climb tomorrow. It looks fantastic in the snow. I intend to check the websites tomorrow then may walk so far up to see what it’s like. A climber said to me tonight it’s coming back down that’s difficult, I’ll keep that in mind.

I reached Bridge of Orchy at about 4. I’m pleased to say the hotel is in a different league to the drovers. The room is similar to the Rowardennan Hotel, except the bathroom is big. The bar and lounge is in a different league though and would highly recommend it, only £40 for 2 if you check the website offer and call.

The staff are very friendly and I met the man behind the keyboard for @bridgeoforchy1 on Twitter who had exchanged a few messages.

I spoke to a few people tonight, upon arrival I spent 20 minutes talking to a couple from the South of England (think Essex but alcohol has numbed my brain). Tonight was their last night and they had walked the WHW 7 years ago. Strangely they didn’t walk mountains though.

There were several others I spoke to. Bill Oddy was in the bar, not the real one but very similar.

@Bridgeoforchy1 (Duncan) suggested just relaxing in the hotel (he would say that, lol) or walking along Glen Orchy. If I’m gonna expend any energy tomorrow I’d like to think it was going uphill.

I’m sat at the side the loch of the lost sword adding photos and uploading this report from yesterday. This reads really badly and the photos are too big again but what the hell it’s a trip report not a book.

I started the day with another fried breakfast, I think my trip has been baked bean powered. At breakfast was the german couple from yesterday, they were finishing up and setting off.

I left about 40 minutes later, just after 9. The last time I walked this section of the way, i hated every step of it. This was because of the blisters I had then and didn’t really take in the scenery.

The walking for the first few miles was very easy. As the height slowly increased, the snow on the ground returned. Once the A82 was crossed by the tunnel, the snow was notably deeper. Luckily it was quite compact and frozen, no problems with sinking.

Looking ahead I could see a lone walker and further ahead the German couple again. Within 5 minutes I’d caught up the line walker. Stopping to talk I could see he was clearly struggling, he was carrying a large pack and explained he hadn’t bargained on the snow. I didn’t think at that stage the snow was a problem. He was aiming for Bridge of Orchy and had accommodation booked all the way up, quite a long trip considering he was already tired with about 14 miles ahead of him. It sounded like he was going to get the train from Tyndrum up to Bridge of Orchy. I continued on by him.

Another 10 minutes later and i had reached the couple, they seemed ok. They were aiming for Tyndrum. Again I continued on towards the wood above Crianlarich. As I rounded a bend towards them the snow became softer and each step harder. A bunch of young kids with their teachers seemed to be enjoing it.

I reached the wood where the sign reads Bogle Glen. The snow was now about a foot maybe more in places. This is where previously I turned right and headed down to my overnight stop in Crianlarich and went home. This time I turned left up into the woods, the snow became deeper. Stopping to take photos, I noticed a group of guys heading towards me. They had turned around due to waist deep snow and were heading down to the road, intending to follow it to Tyndrum. They too were heading for Bridge of Orchy.

I pressed on up into the snow, it did become deeper, sometimes to the top of my legs. There were footprints, making it a lot easier than it could of been. Walking the extra miles yesterday had been a good decision again. My walk for the day was only 9ish miles. Wading through the snow was great fun, no doubt this wouldn’t be the case if i was doing this hour after hour all day.

When I reached the road the guys who had turned around were strung out along it heading towards me. The man I spoke to earlier admitted he wished they had continued on. The road walk sounded worse with cars passing very close. Soon notices for Strathfillan wigwams appeared along the route.

Arrival at the wigwams was the end of my walking for the day, a very early finish. Almost the end, I was given a wigwam at the top of the bank. The shop on the site sells various meat, Ostrich, Bison etc. If they had something I could of eaten with it, bread would of done but I didn’t see any.

Next to my wigwam are the toilets, showers, kitchen, TV. I spent almost 3 hours in there on my own watching day time TV before retiring to my Wigwam and some more podcasts.

At the best of times I get songs, quotes and like stuck in my head. Monday all morning I had “Smoke me a kipper, I’ll be back for breakfast” which was from Red Dwarf. Today when looking at my phone it said “No Service” most of the day. I listen to No Agenda and one of their catchphrases is “No service for you”, so I’ve spent most of the day with bloody thing running through my head in the voice they use.

I’ve got no signal so this will be posted a day late. These reports are probably getting more boring by the day, but will be interesting to me to look back at. Tyndrum for late breakfast tomorrow then on to Bridge of Orchy…

I didn’t get out of bed until the third alarm went off at 7:30. I joined the other 3 people sat for breakfast. There was an elderly gentleman and a couple who sounded German. Their packs were behind them, which looked quite large.

I never spoke to anyone other than the waitress, until I’ve eaten I tend not to talk much. After which I don’t shut up.

Once back in the room, the tent and sleeping bag were packed after drying overnight and I set off at about 9.

From Rowardennan I headed past the Youth Hostel, which looks fantastic with a beautiful position on the loch. Soon after I passed the official wild campsite which didn’t look too inviting, a frost hollow.

The next section is the bit that stuck in my mind from last time. A Forest track up through the woods, I went the high route (Duncan “Aktoman” had said the low route was bad on his blog). It’s quite hard on the feet and I stopped early to apply Compeed plasters to my toes on the right foot. My left foot is fine, something to do with the right being half a size smaller (shoes too big for it).

After an hour or so I spotted a couple walking ahead and recognised them as the couple from breakfast. I caught then up and stopped to talk to them. They were German and were walking the West Highland Way too, they were heading for a B&B in Inveranan. They noted my small pack compared to the guys and were surprised when I said it had a tent and food, etc. They were both walking in jeans, rather them than me.

I enjoyed the walk once the wide track ended, stopping several times to take pics. Before I knew it I was close to Inversnaid and the hotel. Looking at my watch it was 12. The rear walkers entrance was blocked by a bin, heading round the front I considered walking on. The thought of a refreshing lemonade drew me in. Unfortunately I was told the bar was closed, but could have tea or coffee. Tea it was then, sitting in the window I saw the German couple arrive and sit on a bench outside. I had forgot to ask names earlier, I found out the lads name was Johanus.

I didn’t stay long, a couple of chocolate bars were bought for lunch and off I set. The going gets a little harder from here, with the path winding it’s way around and over trees.

The time passed quickly, passing only a handfull of people. Soon I found myself near Doune Bothy and stopped for a rest and photos. The actual bothy was full ok kids, a school trip maybe.

Once starting to reach civilisation the rubbish increases and for some reason the going gets slower. Knowing I was near Beinglas I rushed up Knap mor (small hill), clearly a little too fast. The old heart problem kicked in, rather than stopping as I should, I kept going. I had no energy and decided I had to stop. I sat for 2 minutes, I feel a strange sensation in my heart and afterwards I’m back to normal. I actually felt like I had even more energy.

A few minutes later I spoke to a guy who was a shepherd I guess and asked if I could life the kissing gate off further on, to let the sheep through.
15 minutes later I was at beinglas, where a couple of diggers were driving about. Everything looked closed, I spoke to a guy who told me they weren’t open until the end of the month. I asked if I could camp but was told no. He said the nearest campsite was Tyndrum, hmm.

I asked where else I could stay and was pointed to Inverarnan to the Drovers Inn or a B&B. I considered heading on for a wildcamp but from memory the next few miles are low and quite visible. I’d walked the extra 7 miles especially for the campsite & a pint

Within about 30 seconds I’d decided on the Drovers. I’d hoped to pop in anyway after reading about the cosy bar. I didn’t fancy a B&B (full anyway according to signs), always feel like someones front room. The Drovers Lodge opposite looked closed, but later kept seeing people from hotel head around the back.

I was told there was no single rooms, a double was £59. Christ expensive, compared to my tent. I headed up to my room, each has a name. Mine is room 14 and was shocked to see the name on the door “Bridal suite”, which has a 4 poster. I would be disappointed if this was my room for my wedding night.

I think it’s a fine line between a room with character from age and one in need of some work. This falls into the later, it reminds me of my grans house (which is good) and a place I used to stay in Amulree on holiday (also good), expensive for the money & needs work. Shared bathroom, no tv, etc. Which don’t bother me, I don’t gave them in my tent either.

So I’m now holed up in the bar in front of the fire, it’s been quiet until now when about 20 people just arrived, looking like skiers or boarders. Just spoke to one of them in the toilet (as you do), he’d been boarding in Glencoe, best day he’d ever had boarding in Scotland with fantastic conditions.

Tomorrow is a short walk to my wigwam in Strathfillan. This is part of the reason I didn’t want to walk any further, the day tomorrow is already no more than 9 miles. I am tempted to divert to Crianlarich to the shop just to waste some time tomorrow.

I’m justifying so many hotels because all of my holidays this year are already booked for walking. WHW now, hiking in Finland (end of April/May), TGO Challenge in May and Wainwrights coast to coast in September. So this is my luxury holiday. I am supposed to be wildcamping on Saturday night with Phil, we had hoped the top of the Devils staircase but we will see…(fingers crossed).

I now have a day off on Friday due to not walking Munros. Wondering about getting the bus up from Bridge of Orchy on Friday for half a day boarding in Glencoe, then bus back. Unsure if they hire gear, possibly not ,but will check it out.

The signal is very weak in the building ( due to thick walls) so probably won’t add pictures today, sadly.

After posting i realised the pictures were too large for the page, i cant fix this without reuploading pics. This is all done from iPhone with poor signal & would take me all night.

Surprisingly I had a good nights sleep, it was cold but the PHD down socks did the job and kept my feet toasty. I didn’t wake until 7:20 and looked out the tent to see a fantastic blue sky and the prospect of a gorgeous day ahead.

I quickly packed the tent and decided to get some breakfast in Balmaha rather than making anything.

It was a good decision to camp, the views from the spot were fantastic. The other bonus was the snow that was soft yesterday was now frozen solid, allowing me to walk on the snow rather than sinking.

Once the tent was packed and photos taken, I set off for Conic Hill. I could see where yesterday I would of had some fun up to my waist in snow. Today though, I walked along the top. I did lose my Pacer Poles down holes a few times that came to the top of them.

Once I got higher up Conic Hill, rather than it getting colder it was a bit warmer and the snow was softer making it much harder work. As I rounded the hill, which is really a series of humps I was thinking about cutting up the first. I noticed a large amount of snow had fell down the side in a mini avalanche and could see a bit of an over hang at the top. I walked on and decided to cut up the third mound, I’m not sure which is the highest.

The views from the top were fantastic and I spent a while up there taking pics on the camera. It was a shame to leave but I was hungry and wanted some breakfast.

Just before reaching the woods above Balmaha, the snow disappeared. A few minutes later I was wandering into the car park. Only to find the shop open on weekends and the toilets locked, great. The only other place was the pub/hotel but this looked like it was only for residents. Instead I sat on a bench looking out at the marina, eating a cereal bar & some M&Ms.

The walk along the shore of Loch Lomond was fantastic with amazing views of the snowy peaks opposite. I sat and watched a float plane land on the loch and sat a few times admiring the view.

I only had a short distance to walk, with making up several miles yesterday. It was just as well really, the last couple of miles seemed quite hard. I can only put this down to not really eating since 2pm the day before other than the cereal bar.

I reached Rowardennan Hotel at 1:30, only to find the bar closed for renovation. NO, I was hungry. I stood there deciding what to do and noticed a board stuck to the wall pointing around the corner pointing to the main hotel. A woman beckoned me in and was happy to find a small cosy bar with a log fire. A pint and a burger soon disappeared.

I got talking to a couple from Glasgow about various walks. They sang the praises of the Bridge of Orchy hotel I’m staying at on Thursday.

I asked how much it would be for a room, a guy appeared asking what my budget was. I ended up with a room for £39 with breakfast, normally £79.99.

The room was far better than I expected with a great view of the loch.

Tomorrow originally was planned to be 15 miles and include Ben Lomond. I decided against Ben Lomond before setting out from home and left the ice axe and crampons after the various avalanches. I’m kind of regretting that now, after peering up at it for ages.

So tomorrow is either a 7.5 mile walk to the boathouse just after inversnaid for a wildcamp or I continue on to Beinglas farm. Without checking the map I think it’s about 14 miles and has a bar, the Drovers Inn is close too. Let’s see how I get on…

This is the second time I’ve wrote this after Wordpress on the iPhone lost it!

After my last post where I said I had 4 miles to go, I decided that the camp site didn’t look great. A farmyard and the tiny field looked wet and covered in slushy snow.

I decided to press on and get a few extra miles in the bag in case the conditions worsen. A few miles further on I decided I better stop and look at my feet where I could feel a hot spot. This would turn into a blister and was in the same place I got one last weekend. A Compeed plaster seems to of sorted it.

Once I crossed the road to Drymen and started up the track to the forest, the going became harder. 6 inches of soft snow made the going slower than I hoped.

Once on the proper forest tracks there were 4×4 tracks to follow which made it easier. I was thinking about pushing on to Balmaha and stopping in a room there but it would of made tomorrow a little too short.

I am now at the end of Garadhban Forest not far from the start of the climb up Conic Hill. The GPS says I’ve done 16.5 miles, think it may of lost signal for a bit but sounds about right.

The snow is about 6-8 inches I’d guess, the tent is pitched and I am wrapped up inside. The feet are feeling a lot warmer than last week, now they are in some down socks.

While pitching the tent I spoke to a local couple for 10 minutes or so. They said a bit further on near Conic Hill it’s waist deep drifts. Something to look forward to in the morning.

I managed to light the Caldera Keg this time. Although struggled with the lighter, a trusty waterproof match did the job and a cup of tea was soon downed.

It feels like the temperature is dropping, so I’m gonna zip up the sleeping bag for the night and listen to some Podcasts.

It’s the 1st day of the West Highland Way, 7 miles done and sat in the pub. The crazy scots don’t allow you buy alcohol on a Sunday until 12:30, a Tennents tastes better when you have to wait.

I didn’t set off until 10 and have had a slow wander bur still doing a reasonable pace.

My aim for today is a campsite I can’t spell without looking at the map, Easter Drumquhassle Farm about a mile from Drymen. It’s only another 4 miles up the road, no rush. That’s if it’s open, but website said it was.

Total mileage today should be under 12 miles. Tomorrows is about 15 to Rowardennan. My Lamb burger has arrived…

Just in time for my walk up the West Highland Way, Mother nature has decided she would like to make it a bit harder for me. The West Highland area of Scotland has seen whiteouts and blizzards for the last 36 hours. Contrary to popular belief I’m not entirely stupid (generally anyway) and will scale back some of my plans if need be.

My plans include walking up Ben Lomond and further North, Beinn an Dothaidh. The current conditions will make walking hard enough at valley level and I would be stupid to even attempt to head in either Munros direction.

The chart above displays the Avalanche risk on the mountains in the Glencoe area from the Scotland Avalanche Information Service, their site explains the colours but basically Red isn’t good.

Checking the Met Office & MWIS for Sunday onwards, it shows the weather is improving and by Tuesday when I will be making my decision on going up Ben Lomond or not it says:

“Northeasterly 25 to 30mph, but risk of 40mph gusts 55mph, most likely within and near Loch Lomond NP.
Will impede walking on higher areas – with risk of considerable buffeting, particularly toward the south, with severe wind chill.”

This is too far ahead to make any decision, long range weather forecasts aren’t always reliable. At the moment I wouldn’t be walking any Munros. I want to complete the West Highland Way on foot, not by mountain rescue.

Met Office Glencoe (Friday)

Over the last day I’ve been glued to the Kingshouse Hotels live webcam watching the snow go from about an inch to what the picture below now shows: