Duo of Trailstars in the Mamores of Scotland.Easter 2023 Day 1

A Return trip to the Mamores for some Easter fun with my brother Jamie,last time i was on Am Bodach was 23rd Sept 2013 when it was my last Munro top on my Munro round,the Eastern two I last summited 30 yrs ago ! 

We drove up Wednesday afternoon and stayed the night in the Onich hotel (road was a bit noisy but nice stop over and great,help yourself breakfast at a good price).We soon drove up too Kinlochleven and got sorted and set off under grey skies 8c

We followed the tracks up past the falls,with views back to the loch and village,the old Mamores lodge looked impressive but I believe has stood empty now for quite a while 

As we gained height we also caught the strengthening wind 💨,the ground was soaked,water running on the good tracks.But path soon had us up-to Coire an Lochain ,where we had a quick snack as the rain came on us 4c wind 20-25 mph

Sure Eilde Mor 

Packs stashed we left them behind to climb Sgùrr Eilde Mòr as the rain turned to heavy sleet,then snow as we reached the summit,view was mainly clag but we got glimpses of the land around us 

 

We collected our packs then followed the very wet but good stalkers and path (can see it clearly above) across and up to lochan below Binnein Beag       

                                                                    

Binnein Beag

It was strolling along with hoods up against the weather that I tried to remember the first time I did these peaks.Checking my books when home it was 2nd April 1994 on a tough winters day in deep snow and strong winds and white out conditions as I tried to nav us off the tops and back to the land rover track…my old mate Chris along for the fun 

Binnein Mòr

The wind had increased slowly most of the day,it was 2c 20-25 gusting 30s mph we had already spent 20 mins all around the loch trying to find a good pitch,but everything was sodden and the wind seemed to find us everywhere,so i decided we would drop the packs and go summit Binnein Mor...hoping to catch a signal and a weather update 

Above looking too Na Gruagaichean and below looking over Geln Nevis to the Ben,Aonaches and Grey Corries.I pulled in a forecast..wind 25-30 mph temp 0c but dropping away later in the evening   

So we searched out two pitches and forced our shelters up into position,the wind playing with loose fabric till all pulled in tight. The windchill removed things soon improved,water collected quickly i soon got changed and got a brew and food on

With warmth returned to fingers and warm food in my belly,i took some pictures of our superb surroundings as the wind tried to  robbed the warmth from any chinks in my clothing 

After a quick think i decided on the above for Friday nights tea and was soon devouring the other....supplied by Basecamp foods as usual 

My fantastically light down booties from the talented Alpinelite are such a great piece of camp wear  

Very brief sunset followed 20 mins later by snow ! The evening stayed cold with a strong 25-30 mph wind and the temp hovering around 1-2c...snow then sleet showers slowly petered out around 9 pm ish

Above a shot of my iphone others are of camera but the full moon rising made shooting pictures awkward as it was just so bright 

It had been a long rewarding day with two peaks done,i fell asleep hoping that forecast would give me and Jamie a great day up along the ridges the next day