Storm Ali

Some days you just have to accept that the weather is not on your side but to go out and try to make the best of it anyway. Today was one of those days. With winds of up to 100 mph forecast for the summit of Ben Nevis we cancelled the group walk which was due to head up there this morning, but one group member, John, was keen to get out and make the best of the day at a lower level. Options were limited but we hoped we would get a bit of shelter and some good views on the path up to the CIC Hut at the foot of the North Face of Ben Nevis. It certainly didn't feel sheltered! We did, however, manage to get to within 10 minutes of the hut before the gusty wind and swollen burns became too much and forced us to retreat.

With plenty of time and enthusiasm to spare, John was up for making the short walk in to see Steall Falls, and it was well worth pulling on the damp waterproofs again. The volume of water pouring of the mountains at the moment made the short walk quite spectacular, and it was great to see a number of other people out making the most of a very wild day in Lochaber.