The Lochaber High Level Route
Superb wintery conditions for a high level traverse of the Grey Corries, Lochaber, Scottish Highlands
A fine two day winter mountaineering traverse of Lochaber's Grey Corries, Aonachs, Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis.
Jenny, Sam, Alex and I combined more Denali training with the opportunity to traverse some of the fine high peaks of Lochaber (The Grey Corries, Aonachs, Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis) in the superb wintery conditions we have here in the Highlands at the moment....
The aim was to have a couple of long days trail breaking with large packs and a camp on snow along the way. We would not be disappointed by any of these aspects and would finish the traverse tired, happy and satisfied with very rouge cheeks over a pint and a wild boar burger in the Achintee Barn (Ben Nevis Inn).
Courtesy of a lift up the track above Spean Bridge from Alan Kimber we were able to start the traverse at the Ruigh na Gualainn, due North of our first main peak Stob Choire Claurigh (1177m). Another approach to add a leisurely 3rd day to the traverse would be to walk up to the Lairig Leacach Bothy from Spean Bridge and begin the traverse of the Grey Corries from their most easterly peak of Stob Coire na Caennain.
Once above the 600m snow line after an hour on the first day we would not descend out of the constant trailbreaking untill late the next day on the descent of the Nevis Red Burn.
The undulating spine of the Grey Corries ridge provides easy winter mountaineering par excellence with views east over the remote Ben Alder massiff and west to our onward journey.
