Ben Challum

This is Frank on the way up Ben Challum just near Crianlarich. 

Just after this photo was taken the weather closed in and as we struggled up the hill in the soft deep snow we kept meeting people coming back down. Not one of them had made it to the top. 

We struggled on hoping to get a weather window, but the temperature dropped and the wind rose. At one point we stood and watched the wind knock ice off the fence posts and whirl them into snowballs that spun across the landscape like demented white mice. 

The spindrift was amazing, except when it blew straight into your face. 

We turned back before we reached the plateau, there was a brief discussion comparing the experience with White Coombe, but we agreed the drama of the snow out classed the misery of White Coombe. So even though we didn't reach the top the day was declared a success. 

Just means we'll have to go back some time.