The North side of Beinn Eighe
26th January 2026
Todays forecasting took me into the rarely visited and remote corrie of Toll Ban on the north side of Spidean Coire na Clach (Beinn Eighe). The wee lochain of Loch an Tuill Bhain on the corrie floor was frozen (660m). I didn’t linger long, beating a hasty retreat due to brutal gusts of wind.
Snow lies on all aspects in the Torridon region above around 500m, increasing in extent and firmness with altitude. Between 500m and 650m, the frozen crust is just too thin to support the weight of a human, resulting in very slow and tedious forward motion. The snowpack is currently well consolidated and stable.
Storm Chandra is incoming tomorrow, bringing storm force South-Easterly winds increasing as the day progresses. Gusts of 80+mph are expected across the summits. A very small amount of snow is also forecast during the evening/night. This is expected to be minor and not present a problem. The likelihood is, with such high winds any new snow will dissipate into the atmosphere.
Below are a few photos from today. Frustratingly, the cloud remained on the summits for most of the day. Clearing briefly to reveal a few summits later in the afternoon.
A brief glimpse of the SW face of Slioch.
Looking west toward the north ridge of Spidean Coire na Clach.
Looking into Toll Ban the north facing corrie below Spidean Coire na Clach (Beinn Eighe). Progress was slow due to breakable crust and gusty winds.
Looking across to the Corbett Meall a’Ghiuthais (887m)
Creag Dhubh north aspect.
Why do the tops always clear when you are heading down?! Crag Dubh on the eastern end of Beinn Eighe with the ‘Black Carls’ just visible on the LHS of the ridge.
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