5 Beinn a’ Bheithir
Here’s a cracking ascent of two winter ridges above Loch Leven, courtesy of Garry Smith. It’s surely a journey that deserves to be considered a classic?
Beinn a’ Bheithir, meaning ‘Hill of the Thunderbolt’, is a magnificent mountain that stands on its own, overlooking the narrows at the seaward end of Loch Leven. It is best characterised by its eye-catching ridges, which emanate from three prominent summits and create a double-horseshoe-shaped range.
When viewed from the north or the east, two of Beinn a’ Bheithir’s ridges stand out as especially attractive. In winter, when covered in snow, they are striking. Both are archetypal mountaineering ‘lines’ that cry out to be climbed as soon you set eyes on them. Combining them in one outing produces a classic winter journey, a mountaineering day that is neither too long nor too difficult (never exceeding Grade I) and is a relatively safe option in most snow conditions.
The first of the ridges is the east-north-east spur running up to Beinn a’ Bheithir’s easternmost top, Sgorr Bhan. Owing to its position directly behind Ballachulish Primary School, it is known simply as ‘Schoolhouse Ridge’. Its well-defined crest provides an airy and enlivening route onto the main horseshoe. It is a must-do ascent – though ice axe and crampon skills are must-haves!
A straightforward continuation from Schoolhouse Ridge is a stroll up the west ridge of Sgorr Dhearg, the higher of Beinn a’ Bheithir’s two Munros. This is one of Scotland’s finest snowy ridges: sweeping, elegant and snow-covered throughout most of the season. The ridge has no exposure and it is never of an angle to cause major concerns regarding snow stability. In addition, cornices only ever form on its northern side and can be easily avoided. It is a snowy ridge for the people!