Onto the the Ben Vane path ground frozen lower down instead of the usual bog didn't test my new Sealskinz socks out, feet dry and not frozen. Into the snow about 2500' a few icy patches which my microspikes coped with ok. The snow was deeper and mixed with icy rocks over the last few lumps and needed careful route choice. Met one other walker out in full winter gear, crampons and ice axe, showed him an easier route down. Took about 20 minutes longer than usual to get to the top, well worth the effort for the views.
Ran further than usual along the ridge on gentle slopes before dropping in to a cloud filled Lag Uaine. Usual ridge up towards Glas Bhealach then the snowy north facing ridge up Ime.
Patchy snow at first then smooth compacted and frozen hard when exposed to the wind. No chance my microspikes were good enough.
What I learnt, Sealskinz are good and worth the money. Microspikes only good for low level snowy and icy trails. To continue on the Scottish mountains through winter would need an upgrade to proper crampons, ice axe and learn how to use the axe.
Sunday's run over Stoneymollan rewarded with a variety of cloud inversions in the valleys. Frozen underfoot helped keep the feet reasonably dry. Stopped for a few photos.
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