Mar
27
2008
Beinn Resipol
24 March 2008
The start of this walk was Upper Scotstown north of the village of Strontian. An unclassified road ran north from the A861 at Strontian and after 3 kilometres the hamlet of Upper Scotstown was reached. Another road headed south-west and I drove along it as far as the gate before the Allt nan Cailleach where there was limited parking.
We left my vehicle and continued on foot along this vehicle track which was now rough and muddy and obviously used by cattle. After 250 metres we took the ‘miner’s path’ that headed north-west up the side of the Allt nan Cailleach. Initially it was still a vehicle track as far as the local water source. Beyond that the path was in poor condition although as height was gained it did improve slightly, although covered in snow.
There had been some overnight snow even down to sea level and the frequent showers continued as we headed up the ‘miner’s path’. There were some deer in the area but they soon disappeared.
On reaching the highest point on this path and a kilometre short of the old lead mine, hence the name of the path just used, we headed over towards Meall an t-Slugain through some soft and drifting snow. The area had quite a few peat hags and boggy sections to avoid and the wind was rather strong. We had already put on our goggles as the snow stinging our eyes was rather unpleasant. We put up a couple of grouse, the only bird life we saw on the hills all weekend.
Once beyond Meall an t-Slugain we climbed the east ridge of Beinn Resipol. The direct route, which was less windy looked rather avalanche prone so unfortunately we had to climb onto the main section of the ridge where the wind was stronger with lots of spindrift. Progress was slow trying to find the best route through the rocks and drifts, some of which were now thigh deep which was tiring.
The ridge eventually narrowed and became fairly rocky. Occasionally we had views of the Corbetts Garbh Bheinn, Beinn na h-Uamha, Sgurr Dhomhnuill, Carn an Nathrach and Loch Shiel as we worked our way along the ridge between the rocks where the gaps were full of soft snow. Occasionally we came across nieve snow with a thin covering of fresh snow on top which required some extra care to cross.
Eventually we reached the summit cairn with its broken trig point nearby. To the west we could see a couple of walkers climbing towards Beinn Resipol’s west ridge but they still had a bit to go to reach the summit where it was cold and windy.
We returned by the ascent route where possible following our bootprints but some of the marks had been filled in with the blowing snow. Later we did try and make a more direct descent to Meall an t-Slugain searching for shelter for lunch but the spindrift put paid to that idea so out came the ‘Storm Shelter’ to protect us from the elements. It worked well as it was rather cold when we rolled it up again and packed it away.
The descent over Meall an t-Slugain was uneventful as was the return down the ‘miner’s path’ until near the end when we met some cows and calves which caused my client some concern. However they never bothered us as we continued down the track and back to the car.
Time taken - 6 hours.
Distance - 13 kilometres.
Height climbed - 810 metres.
Photos taken on walk can be seen at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/beinn_resipol_mar08/index.htm
Mar
26
2008
Carn na Nathrach
23 March 2008
The initial problem was getting to the start of this walk which was on the unclassified road that led from the village of Strontian, on the A861 in Ardgour, to the road end at Pollock. It had snowed overnight and the higher part of this road was covered and impossible for ordinary vehicles. Fortunately with my 4 x 4 and some care I was able to negotiate the hill although I came across an abandoned van.
I parked my vehicle just north of Kinlochan at the east end of Loch Doile. Although this was off the public road it appeared that no objection was raised as a local passed us as we prepared to set out for Carn na Nathrach.
We walked along the vehicle track on the north side of the River Hurich, crossed the road bridge east of the cottage at Glenhurich, and followed the forest road that led towards Gleann an Dubh Choirein. Just beyond the double bend where the track started to descend I looked for a route through the forest so that we could gain the south west ridge of Carn na Nathrach, called Beinn Mheadhoin. I missed the few stones, which I spotted on my return, and we wandered through the forest until we came across the walker’s path, which was actually a slightly worn route through vegetation climbing steeply out of the forest and avoiding some rocks.
Once above the trees the walking became easier although any path along the Beinn Mheadhoin ridge was hidden by the previous evenings snow. It was now significantly cooler out of the forest with a cold wind and some snow flurries. We never found the lochan shown on the map and as we continued up the ridge we saw a few deer. The twisted ridge became a bit steeper before we reached the 602 point which was followed by a slight descent and then a deer fence. There was no gate or stile so the only option was to climb over the fence.
The wind was now a bit stronger with some spindrift as we avoided rocky knolls and worked our way through drifts now up to near knee height. Progress had been slow but we eventually reached the summit around thirty minutes later than planned due to the conditions.
From the summit we had views to the west of the Island of Mull, Beinn Resipol and the Rois-Bheinn Corbetts, Callop and Glen Finnan Hills to the north, Glen Saddle, Ballachulish Bridge, the Glen Coe mountains and Lochs Leven and Linnhe to the east and to the south the Corbetts, Sgurr Dhomhnuill and Beinn na h-Uamha.
We found a relatively sheltered place for a late lunch out of the spindrift before setting off back down the Beinn Mheadhoin ridge to the start. As expected with the condition of the road we never met any other walkers but spoke to the owner of the abandoned van who was staying locally and he explained how wild the conditions were as he tried to get over the hill road the previous evening.
Time taken - 7.25 hours.
Distance - 17 kilometres.
Height climbed - 900 metres.
Photographs taken on this walk can be seen at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/carn_na_nathrach_mar08/index.htm
Mar
19
2008
Glen Dessarry and Glen Kingie Backpacking Trip
15 - 16 March 2008
The start of this backpacking trip was the end of the public road that runs along the north shore of Loch Arkaig reached from Gairlochy west of Spean Bridge on the A82 Fort William to Inverness road. As said before this is a narrow undulating single track road and in sections is in poor condition. At the end of the public road there is a small turning circle at a gate with limited parking facilities. There were already several vehicles parked along the roadside on my arrival.
Once I had gathered and packed all my gear for an overnight camp I set off west along the vehicle track passed the holiday accommodation at Strathan to the sign indicating the Right of Way north to Tomdoun. I followed this Right of Way up the side of the Dearg Allt although it is now mainly a wet and boggy All Terrain Vehicle track. On the ascent of this track I came across a couple of mating frogs so spring had obviously arrived although the weather wasn’t that spring like with a cold northerly wind blowing. However the frogs were out in force in several pools and evidence of frog spawn not always in water.
On approaching the water shed I left my rucksack and headed onto the south-west ridge of Sgurr Mhurlagain. There was a bit of snow on this Corbett but mainly on the north side so I was able to avoid most of the snow fields. My first golden plover of the year sounded its alarm call as I headed towards the summit cairn. From the summit I had views south across Loch Arkaig to Gulvain, Streap, Sgurr Thuilm and Sgurr nan Coireachan, three of these mountains I had climbed last month. To the west were the Knoydart mountains and my next hill, Fraoch Bheinn. To the north was Sgurr Mor, tomorrow’s mountain, the mountains of Loch Quoich and beyond them some of the Kintail hills. Ben Nevis, the Aonachs and Grey Corries were some of the mountains I could see to the east.
It was rather cold on the summit so I returned by the ascent route back to collect my rucksack and headed to the foot of Fraoch Bheinn. The west side of this Corbett was a bit steeper than Sgurr Mhurlagain and as I headed up into a gully the snow was very sugary and there was evidence of some avalanche debris. Eventually I came onto the south ridge of Froach Bheinn before winding my way through some rocks to the summit cairn. Here the views were still clear and to the west included the Islands of Skye, Rum and Eigg.
I continued to the north top of Froach Bheinn and descended its north-east ridge. It became quite tricky as it narrowed considerably with lots of snow and I couldn’t be sure that once I was beyond this narrow section that it was possible to descend into Glen Kingie where I had planned to set up camp. I retreated to the north top and then attempted the north-west ridge which was easier with snow fields to descend making walking easier. Lower down some rocky outcrops had to be avoided before I dropped into Glen Kingie.
It was now almost dark so I had to find somewhere to pitch my tent. The ground was fairly wet and boggy but I did find somewhere to put the tent up albeit not the best camp site I have found. Once the tent was up it was time for tea and a rest before the next day’s mountains.
After a good night’s sleep it was a bit of a wrench to get up and venture into a cold wind. The cloud was also a bit lower, occasionally covering the higher tops. I walked down to the River Kingie which was relatively easy to cross, and commenced the steady climb to the bealach between Sgurr Mor and Sgurr an Fhuarain, watched by deer. Higher up there were some snow fields which I couldn’t avoid and once at the bealach the angle eased for the climb to the circular trig point marking the summit of Sgurr an Fhuarain. There were good views down into Loch Quoich and its surrounding mountains and towards Knoydart.
I returned to the bealach and climbed Sgurr Mor. Higher up there were snow fields to traverse with some icy patches. From the summit I could see Lochan nam Breac and Ben Aden, a Corbett planned for later in the year.
It would have been interesting to continue to Sgurr Beag but the shorter route was back to the bealach and drop down to my tent. Once I had re-packed it was a steady climb over wet and in places boggy ground to the bealach between Fraoch Bheinn and Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh where there was a path. It was very rough, wet and boggy at times, and I followed it down the west side of the Allt na Feithe to the vehicle track at Glendessarry Lodge. From here it was only 2.5 kilometres back to my vehicle and the end of a successful two days bagging Corbetts and a Munro.
Day One:
Time taken - 7 hours. Distance - 12 kilometres. Height climbed - 1310 metres.
Day Two:
Time taken - 7 hours. Distance - 14 kilometres. Height climbed - 1085 metres.
Photographs taken on trip can be viewed at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/glen_kingie_mar08/index.htm
Feb
21
2008
Gulvain
17 February 2008
It was back along the A830 Fort William to Mallaig Road, but only as far as the junction with the A861 road to Strontian. On the opposite side of this juction are a few cottages and to their east an old bridge. There is limited parking at the east side of this bridge.
We walked north up Gleann Fionnlighe on a rough vehicle track initially on the east side of the Fionn Lighe but after around two kilometres the track crossed this very clear and sparkling stream via a bridge. However we still had another 4 kilometres to walk before reaching the bridge over the Allt a’Choire Reidh at Na Socachan, which I think refers to a ruin. Beyond here the track degenerated into a peaty path but fortunately due to the lack of rain in the past week or so it wasn’t that wet.
A walker’s path continued up the south ridge of Gulvain on an unrelenting ascent for around 700 metres to the 855 metre knoll. This was followed by a very short descent crossing a patch of snow before a further 60 metres of climbing to the South Top of Gulvain.
I had expected that the next section of the walk would require crampons but fortunately there were only a few small patches of snow which we could cross with care without their use. The route was narrow compared to the ascent of the South Top but with no real problems. The cloud was variable, sometimes just above the mountain tops and at other times engulfing the tops.
The bealach between the two tops was reached after a descent of around 60 metres which meant a re-ascent of almost 90 metres to reach the true summit of Gulvain. Views weren’t that great from the summit but we had some views of Meall a’Phubuill, Meall Onfhaidh, Aodann Chleireig, Braigh nan Uamhachan, Streap and of Sgurr Thuilm, which we climbed the previous day, as we climbed and descended from the South Top.
The return was by the ascent route. On previous occasions I have by-passed the South Top on my return but on this occasion this wasn’t possible due to a build up of snow on its east side. On the descent of the South Top rays of sunlight could be seen above Loch Shiel.
We were back to our vehicles before dusk and then the long road home after a successful weekend on the west coast, particularly for the Munro Baggers.
Time taken - 9 hours.
Distance - 20 kilometres.
Height climbed - 1290 metres.
Photos taken on walk can be found at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/gulvain_feb08/index.htm
Feb
20
2008
Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm (Corryhully Horseshoe)
16 February 2008
We were staying the weekend at Chase the Wild Goose Hostel at Banavie, Fort William, which was a convenient location to access these two Munros. In the morning it was only a 15 mile drive west along the A830 to Glenfinnan. There is a large parking area on the north side of the main road just before the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
We walked north, below the Viaduct and up the tarred road towards Glenfinnan Lodge. Just before the Lodge we took the rough vehicle track passed Corryhully Bothy and over the Allt a’Choire Charnaig. Around 250 metres beyond this stream we left the vehicle track and followed the stalker’s path that climbed towards the south-east ridge of Sgurr nan Coireachan.
It was a rather cloudy morning with the cloud base just below the mountain tops so the views weren’t as clear as they had been on my previous couple of days on the hills.
The group, although fairly large, were mainly experienced walkers and kept together well which made things a bit easier for me. We climbed Sgurr a’Choire Riabhaich before a slight descent and onto the summit of Sgurr nan Coireachan.
There were no views here but it was time for lunch. I had a quick look at the route off Sgurr nan Coireachan and was pleased to see patches of hard packed snow as I had insisted that everyone carry their axe and crampons despite the poor snow cover.
Once lunch was over and crampons fitted we descended from Sgurr nan Coireachan down the ridge which had several snow patches and I think everyone was pleased that they had carried their axe and crampons. The route between Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm, although mainly in cloud, was relatively easy to follow due to a line of metal fence posts. The route went over Meall an Tarmachain and Beinn Gharbh and onto the south ridge of Sgurr Thuilm.
The fence posts don’t go all the way to the summit of Sgurr Thuilm so when we reached the south ridge we turned left and headed to the summit cairn of Sgurr Thuilm. It was cold and windy here so we didn’t linger and headed down the south ridge onto Druim Coire a’Bheithe and out of the cloud. A walker’s path led to the vehicle track which was followed to the point where we had left it earlier that day.
It was then the case of returning to the start down the tarred road in the semi-dark and the end of a longish day. For several of the group this was their first ascent of these Munros.
Time taken - 10.25 hours.
Distance - 21 kilometres.
Height climbed - 1625 metres.
The few photos taken on this walk can be seen at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/corryhully_horseshoe_feb08/index.htm
Feb
20
2008
Meall Blair
15 February 2008
Meall Blair is located between Loch Quoich in the north and Loch Arkaig to the south. The shorter approach to this Graham was from the south, so as I was due in Fort William later that day, I decided on that approach.
On the north side of Loch Arkaig is a narrow single track road, which has recently had a section re-surfaced, but it is still a twisting undulating road that cannot be approached at speed unless you wish to damage the underside of your car. Access to Loch Arkaig is from Gairlochy on the Caledonian Canal, a few miles west of the A82 at the Commando Memorial.
The Glen was engulfed in cloud and the temperature was around freezing as I negotiated this road. Around 500 metres west of the white house at Caonich I found a parking area at the edge of a passing place and set off uphill following an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) track. I was fortunate that this normally wet and boggy track was relatively firm due to overnight frost, however visibility was poor.
The ATV track had been improved in places and height was gained relatively quickly. After around 200 metres of height gain I cleared the cloud and had views of an unnamed hill to the west and looking back I could see Gulvain, Streap and the Corryhully Horseshoe, which was the next day’s target. I had read a guide book that said Meall Blair was an un-interesting hill but I didn’t consider that to be the case but maybe that was because I was in the sun and had some grand views.
Loch Blair came into view and an ATV track headed round its south-west edge. However Meall Blair was to the north-east and I could see that another ATV track headed up onto its south-west ridge. I followed this track which was still firm from the frost and it took me easily up onto the ridge. Here I now had views of Sgurr Mhurlagain, Sgurr Mhor and Gulvain.
I eventually left the track and headed towards the summit, crossing a couple of false summits and disturbing a couple of deer feeding in a hollow. I reached the summit trig point of Meall Blair where in addition to the hills already mentioned I could see Sgurr Mhaoraich, Gleouraich, Spidean Mialach, Loch Quoich, the South Cluanie Ridge, Ben Tee, Sron a’Choire Ghairbh, Meall na Teanga, Grey Corries, Aonach Mor, Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis.
There was a cool breeze at the summit so I sought shelter for a bite to eat and heard several shots down in Glen Kingie. Stalking of the hinds was obviously taking place, it being the final day of the season.
My return was by the upward route although I did take a more direct line and lower down disturbed some hinds which wouldn’t have seen me earlier due to the low cloud. There was also some lovely reflections of the hills in Loch Arkaig.
Time taken - 3 hours.
Distance - 9 kilometres.
Height climbed - 610 metres.
Photos taken on this walk can be sen at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/meall_blair_feb08/index.htm
Feb
19
2008
Beinn Ghobhlach
14 February 2008
The adventure started on the journey north-west from Inverness where there was low cloud with the temperature just above freezing point. On road north towards Ullapool I had the occasional glimpse of the sun drenched mountain tops, areas where the trees and vegetation where white after a hard frost, and an accident where a van had left the road presumably due to the icy road conditions.
On approaching Braemore Junction I had left the areas of low cloud behind and now had a great view of An Teallach with its patches of snow. At Braemore Junction I took the A832 to Gairloch as far as the junction just north of Corrie Haillie where I left the main road and drove along the narrow single track road towards Badrallach. The drive to say the least was interesting as it climbed below Beinn nam Ban and then down into the crofting community of Badrallach. At the end of the road there was a turning area with limited parking spaces.
I set off on the path that headed west along the north shore of Little Loch Broom to the crofting areas of Rireavach and Scoraig, which apparently has a population of around 80. This path is the only access to these hamlets other than by sea. There is no vehicle access.
It was a lovely sunny morning for a walk along this sea loch with Sail Mhor rising above the south side of the Loch. After around a kilometre and a half, at a point where I had my first view of the Scoraig peninsula, I left the path and climbed to the west of the rocky 338 point with views back to An Teallach and the Fannaichs. A slight descent took me to the west side of Loch na h-Uidhe before crossing to the foot of the south-west ridge of Beinn Ghobhlach.
The weather conditions were fantastic for a mid February day. It was fairly warm with a slight breeze and a few bits of high cloud. I have had colder days in summer so I was enjoying the day with the mountain to myself and views in all directions including over The Minch to the Outer Hebrides.
The next section of the ascent was a bit steeper with several rocky areas to be bypassed but I eventually arrived at the summit with its cairn and small shelter. The views were awesome. Beyond Sail Mhor and An Teallach to the south were the Fisherfield Munros and Torridon, and to the west and the Island of Skye. Across Loch Broom was Ben More Coigach, Ardmair Bay, Ben More Assynt, Conival. The mountains further east were shrouded in cloud. Down below me was Ullapool and beyond that the Ben Dearg Group of mountains. I couldn’t have asked for better views.
I had lunch at the summit taking in these fantastic views and in fact lingered for a while noting the mountains I could see. I didn’t want to descend by the ascent route so I decided to walk round Coire Dearg. This was a wise decision as the views over the steep and rocky north ridge into Loch Broom and out over the Scoraig peninsula made it well worthwhile.
On reaching the end of the ridge I descended steeply into Coire Dearg and headed towards the path to Scoraig, latterly through long heather and around some rocks. Once back on the path I headed back to Badrallach, initially up and over a rocky section of the path before reaching the point I left earlier. Here I saw a walker away out in front and I followed him back to the start.
On the drive through Badrallach I stopped and gave this walker a lift. He was actually a resident of Scoraig and had left home an hour earlier so I was able to gleam some information about the Scoraig peninsula.
It had been a great mountain experience and one to cherish. I think it will have to be included in my top 10 walks. If anyone is looking for a hill to climb with some fantastic mountain and sea views this is the one but wait for a good day. If the weather is bad go elsewhere and come back on a fine sunny day.
Time taken - 4.75 hours.
Distance - 12 kilometres.
Height climbed - 855 metres.
Photos taken on this walk can be seen at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/beinn_ghobhlach_feb08/index.htm
Feb
19
2008
Aonach Shasuinn
10 February 2008
This Corbett is located between Glen Affric in the north and Glen Morriston to the south. I was planning to climb Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Affric which is reached from the village of Cannich on the A831, which runs from Drumnadrochit through Cannich to Beauly
At the end of the public road at the east end of Loch Affric there is a fairly large car park where I left my car and walked along the vehicle track on the south side of Loch Affric. It was very still with the mountains on the north side of the Loch reflected in the water. Beyond Affric Lodge and a holiday home I came to the point where I was to leave the track. A ‘Right of Way’ sign for Cougie indicated the route up the east side of the Allt Garbh.
The map indicated that the path crossed and later re-crossed this stream which seems a bit pointless as there is no bridge and it would mean wet feet. Rather than cross the stream I continued up its east bank as had many other walkers creating several muddy and boggy sections. In one of the hollows I came across a stag feeding which quickly ran off.
The path eventually joined a vehicle track which headed west from Cougie to Loch an Sguid. I walked westwards along this track as far as the stream descending from Creag nan Calman, before crossing it and ascending the heather clad hillside of Cnap na Stri. During this ascent the cloud based lowered and I lost the views I had over Loch Affric.
There was no cairn marking the summit of Cnap na Stri so I went to what appeared to be the highest point before taking a bearing and descending steeply to a bealach. From there I ascended the curving ridge of Carn nan Coireachan Cruaidh, which had a narrow section. Beyond the highest of the two tops the ridge took a 90 degree turn, which despite the low cloud was easy to follow as there was a large build up of snow to my right.
It was an easy ascent firstly to a stone shelter and then to the summit cairn of Aonach Shasuinn. There was no point in lingering here so I continued to the West Top spotting my second ptarmigan of the day. From the West Top I descended its north ridge, avoiding some snow fields, until I was low enough to change direction. My plan was to avoid the upper reaches of the Allt Garbh as it was slow moving and would be hard to cross after the recent rain and snow melt. I cut across the side of the hill aiming for the bridge over the Allt Garbh, around a kilometre east of Loch an Sguid.
On reaching the bridge I walked east along the vehicle track back to the point where I had left it earlier that day. I then retraced by route back to the start.
Time taken - 6.75 hours.
Distance - 18 kilometres.
Height climbed - 1060 metres.
Photogrpahs taken on walk can be seen at;
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/aonach_shasuinn_feb08/index.htm
Feb
12
2008
Carn na Coinnich
9 February 2008
The BBC mountain forecast the previous evening indicated that it was to be very windy, around 70 miles per hour with gusts as much as 100 miles per hour on the higher peaks. In these circumstances the chances of reaching the summit of this Graham was fairly remote. However the forecast in the morning gave the wind speed as 40 – 50 miles per hour with no mention of gusts so things were looking up.
The start of the walk was in Strathconnon which is reached from Marybank on the A832, west of Beauly. An unclassified, single track road runs along the south side of the River Connon to Loch Achonachie, Loch Meig and then the River Meig. Just before the bridge over the River Meig an estate road continues along the south side of the River with a large gate. Signs indicate that the road is private although it does say that walkers are welcome. There was a parking area beside the gate.
I walked west along the estate road for over a kilometre and just before Home Farm Cottage took the vehicle track which headed south up the side of a forest. Beyond the forest and at a junction of tracks stags, which were being fed by the estate with hay or silage, ran off up the hillside.
The vehicle track continued across the open hillside before it followed the side of a stream. This track was shown on the map as a path but had obviously been upgraded to allow stalkers to gain access to the hills by vehicle rather than on foot. Crossing the stream was a bit awkward due to the recent rain and snow melt. There were good views back across Strathconnon to Meallan nan Uan and Sgurr a’Mhuilinn. Beyond that were the Achnashellach mountains where a search was on going for a missing climber. Unfortunately at lunch time that day he was found dead near Sgorr Ruadh.
I disturbed more deer as I headed up the track which was in reasonable condition until I came to a steeper section where there was a bit of erosion. The gradient eased and the track became wet in places. I was being watched by some deer on Carn na Coinnich’s north ridge, their head, ears or antlers protruded above the sky-line.
At 600 metres I left the track and crossed some peat bog before climbing onto the north ridge of Carn na Coinnich where an All Terrain Vehicle track went to within metres of the rocky summit with its trig point.
It was windy on the summit but nothing near the 50 miles per hour forecast. I had views down to the Orrin Reservoir, the cloud topped Strathfarrar Munros and west to Bac an Eich, An Sidhean and Maoile Lunndaidh.
After a coffee break I headed across peat hags, some filled with snow, to the south side of Loch Gruamach and descended north-west towards the Allt Baile na Creige across some wet and slippery vegetation. I was hoping to find the path shown on my map but even looking down into the glen I couldn’t see it. I followed the stream downhill until it entered a gorge. Occasionally I thought I had found the path but it appeared to be deer tracks. I am fairly certain that the path does not exist.
Lower down I had to regain some height to avoid the gorge before descending into the forest where there was a track. I followed this track which took me to the south side of the River Meig and thereafter to Dalbreac Lodge, Home Farm Cottage and back to the start where I spoke to a local couple, the only people I met all day.
Time taken - 4 hours.
Distance - 14 kilometres.
Height climbed - 640 metres.
Photographs taken on this walk can be seen at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/carn_na_coinnich_feb08/index.htm
Jan
24
2008
Meall Dearg
21 January 2008
This hill is located to the west of Glen Cochill and the A816 Aberfeldy to Crieff road runs through the glen making access relatively easy. Climbing this hill should take around two hours so rather than make a special journey to this area I decided to take a diversionary route home to bag this Graham.
Parking is a bit restrictive at the point where I wanted to stop but I found an area on the east side of the road just south of the bridge over the Cochill Burn. I left my vehicle, crossed the road and a fence and headed over rough ground avoiding some bog. Patches of snow were down as far as road level but it was mainly soft snow so I tried to avoid it.
I crossed the old General Wade’s Military Road, which is now used by sheep, and shortly thereafter started the ascent of Meall Dearg. The snow conditions were very variable. Sometimes it held my weight, other times I was up to my shins in the snow. Occasionally it was icy especially where the sheep had been and the bootprints left by walkers, probably a few day’s earlier.
The ascent was just a matter of seeking the easiest route following the edge of a stream until a slightly steeper ascent took me to the summit trig point. Here there was a cold wind blowing but I made use of my new down jacket and sat there for a while taking in the surrounding views which included the Ben Lawers mountains, Carn Mairig Group, Schiehallion, Beinn a’Ghlo and the Drummochter mountains.
The descent was by the upward route. Half way down a mountain hare ran off but then stopped long enough for me to get a photo.
Time taken - 2.25 hours.
Distance - 5 kilometres.
Height climbed - 400 metres.
To view the photographs taken on this walk see:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery08/meall_dearg_jan08/index.htm
