Black Mount Winter Experience
Our Winter Hillwalking trips take place in the Glen Coe and Black Mount region.
Weather conditions play a key role in planning, safety and route choice, and will always dictate the final location on the day.
There are 282 mountains in Scotland over 914m / 3000ft. We are in these mountains year round exploring and guiding clients to summits in wild and remote locations.
During the winter season we focus on the iconic summits of the Western Highlands.
Winter in the Scottish mountains is a serious and highly rewarding undertaking. Reduced daylight, snow and continually changing conditions in wild and remote locations make for a real mountaineering adventure.
We love the idea that many people don’t know where Black Mount is: It’s remote and wild and lies north of Glen Orchy and is connected to Glen Coe by Glen Etive.
A complex mass of summits, ridges and corries, its highest point is the remote summit of Stob Ghabhar at 1090m. Accessed via steep scree fields and the “little” Aonach Eagach Ridge which crowns a giant corrie surrounded by rocky slopes and steep cliffs.
Few people venture here where there is a great sense of calm and solitude with only the ravens for company.
The views across the wilds of Rannoch Moor and towards Glen Coe are spectacular. Thousands of lochans, remote rivers and streams pepper its 50 sq. miles of Special Conservation Area.
To the west Ben Cruachan sits on the horizon with the Western Isles beyond.
Your professional guide in a group of no more than 6 will focus on how to use an ice axe and crampons and how to navigate safely through steep terrain often under snow.
The emphasis will be on winter skills, mountain weather forecasts, avalanche awareness, navigation, accurate decision-making and building confidence in the mountains to become your own independent adventurer.
Recent Black Mount Winter Mountaineering Trips
Capturing the moment on the summit of Stob Ghabhar, Black Mount
Traversing the "little Aonach Eagach" on Stob Ghabhar in Black Mount
Goggles keeping out the wind and spindrift on Stob Ghabhar at 1090m
The spectacular summit ridge on Stob Ghabhar in full winter conditions
Pausing for a moment on a frozen snowfield in Black Mount by Bridge of Orchy
Perfect winter hillwalking conditions in Black Mount by Bridge of Orchy
Frozen winter conditions high up on Stob Ghabhar in remote Black Mount
Making our way to the summit of Stob Ghabhar in atmospheric winter conditions
Snow, sunshine, clouds and spindrift in atmospheric Black Mount
Trip Overview
Availability
November - April
Duration
10-12 hours
Difficulty
Challenging
Language
English
Meeting Point
6.30am. Ingliston Park and Ride EH28 8LS by Edinburgh Airport [Or Wallyford Park and Ride EH21 8BU at 6am / or contact us]
Minimum Age
16
Total Distance
10 - 15km
Mountaineering Time
5-8 hours
Summit
1090m
Group Size
Maximum 6
Minimum Number
3
Weather
If the weather is unsafe your Guide will choose an alternative mountain location
What’s included (and not)
Included
- Experienced & qualified guide
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Helmet
- 25L rucksack
- Transport to and from the mountains.
Not Included
- Winter mountaineering boots - crampon compatible
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm clothing
- Hat and gloves
- Lunch
Optional extras
- Winter mountaineering boots - crampon compatible [please contact us]
What to bring with you
Winter mountaineering boots - crampon compatible
Waterproof trousers
Please do not use cotton clothing
Wool socks
Base layer
Gloves – plus spares
Lightweight fleece
Warm hat – plus spare
Fleece or soft-shell jacket
Spare fleece / warm top
Trousers – synthetic that dry quickly
Lunch, snacks and liquid
Waterproof jacket with hood
Trip map
Edinburgh to Black Mount / 91.5 miles (147.2 km)
Book your adventure
Contact us for winter 2022 / 2023 season
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