BEINN EICH (2302')

Report based on entry in Glip's personal log

Sunday 12th February        Beinn Eich (2302')

Leaders: Glip (Jim Blair provided transport there and back)

Scouts: Ally Blair, Colin Beaton, David Gordon (Booboo), Roderick MacCrorie, James Gatherer (Peasant)

Report

Armed with a sledge and ice axes, we set off on a threatening day from Luss where we parked Percy (GR 331942) and negotiated the dogs at the farm. Although it was dry all day, there was a fresh, icy, westerly wind, which ensured we didn’t hang about much.

This was Colin’s first climb, but he had no difficulty and the party all reached the summit in good time. We had a lunch perched on the east slope beneath the summit and watched a mass of people coming up the mountain – a Glasgow climbing club as it turned out. They must have been quite amused at seeing us armed with sledge.

After lunch, everyone practiced ice axe braking on the snow which was soft and safe enough. In fact, it was easier to stop on it with one’s feet rather than with an ice axe. We then traversed along some of the steep east snow slopes until we got to the little coire at about 2000 feet (GR 307945). Glip got stuck in a drift for about ten minutes before managing to dig himself out.

We spent a long time here with Peasant and Colin digging snow holes and Booboo. Everyone then practiced climbing through the small cornices that were present. Roderick preferred to watch, because he wasn’t too happy about the snow slopes at all.

Finally, it was time to go. Booboo and Ally sledged down while the rest of us walked and slithered. Mr Blair arrived just as we reached Percy – excellent timing.

Booboo and Roderick had the honour of being driven home in Percy, while the rest were driven home by Jim Blair.

Overall, an excellent day’s climb in harsh weather conditions and the Scouts (barring Roderick) enjoyed themselves thoroughly with the ice axes. We spent more time with those than we did with the sledges, in fact.

​