General April 2023 Activity: French escapades, Highlands, Islands…and the wee Pentlands.

In the month of Aprll 2023 FVMC members could be found tearing up and down slopes in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, France, the Pentlands, Glenshee, Skye, Kintail and Glen Orchy.

First up, BR returns on 02/04/23 from his 5 x days off-piste, group coaching holiday at Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, France, run by the company Mountain Tracks, with expert tuition from ski-coach Dave Meyer. Other surrounding resorts such as Tignes and La Rosiere were often visited. Pic shows a delightful run in La Rosiere.

A tricky traverse to a good run. The group on the north facing aspect of Mont Valaisan, looking across to the Italian border.

Skiing down the Combe de Moulin.

A fun comparison of kit; the upper set is the kit used by BR for his Nordic touring on 15-18/03/23, whilst the lower set was used for the French off-piste coaching on 26-02/04/23.

On 07/04/23 a group of FVMC veterans returned to their auld haunt in The Pentlands. Pic taken from West Kip, NT 17822 60660 looking ESE.

JW, atop East Kip, NT 18303 60908, taking a pic of their objective, Scald Law, NT 19167 61101.

…will they manage hame OK? Left to right; JW, BR, JI, IMcM & ARod.

Next up, on 11/04/23 MM & AS ascended Carn Aosda, NO 13423 79212, The Cairnwell, NO 13504 77385 and Carn a Gheoidh, NO 10697 76715. A cold breeze but great visibility. Pic shows Loch Vrotachan looking SW, taken from the path descending Carn Aosda.

On the path to Carn a Gheoidh looking back east to The Cairnwell and its mast.

On Tuesday 18/04/23, MMcE, following from the club’s Kintail meet, ascended Fionas Beinn na Caillich, NG 77044 22945 and Sgùrr na Coinnich, NG 76241 22260, via the minor top Beinn Bhuidhe, NG 77608 21811, starting from the Otter Haven car park. Pic shows views SE towards Glenelg.

Taken from Beinn Bhuidhe summit, the twins, Sgùrr na Coinnich left, Beinn na Caillich on right.

Looking NW to the Skye Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh.

Looking SW to the Isle of Eigg, NM 47166 86037, from the top of Beinn na Caillich.

Looking ESE to the Five Sisters, NG 97686 16807.

…and west towards The Cuillins, NG 44409 21677.

Also on 18/04/23, ARob and friends had some avian company spotted above Ben Tianavaig on Skye, NG 51157 40984.

Finally, on 28/04/23, IH & BR climbed the Fiona Beinn Donachain, NN 19881 31658, from the carpark at Eas Urchaidh, NN 24321 32066. They crossed the bridge and ascended the forest paths, emerging on the eastern slopes of Cruach nan Nighean, NN 20616 3187. Pic shows a view of Beinn Donachain on the horizon, IH in the foreground, above Loch Hart, taken looking WSW from the top of Cruach nan Nighean.

They descended in a general SE direction following the stream discharging from Loch Hart. Their intent was to follow the path along the NE side of the wooded area adjacent to the River Orchy, and then cross the marked foot bridge at NN 23166 30574. However, it was conspicuous by its absence, forcing a march to the bridge crossing used at the beginning of the day.