The Hills are Alive

From my bedroom window I have just seen three cows on the summit of Tom Meadhoin (621m). Take heart all you lapsed members. If they can do it .........

Two Days on An Teallach

Ron and Roy will remember the Club weekend three ago at Dundonnell when we climbed An Teallach from the path by the Hotel in foul weather. Last weekend I had another go, and on Saturday I went up the same way on my own and bagged the three outlying Tops of Glas Mheall Mor, Glas Mheall Liath and Sgurr Creag an Eich. True to form it rained most of the day !! Then on the Sunday in a small guided group I did the "proper" traverse from Corrie Hallie over the Forge Ridge. It started fair but conditions deteriorated and the rock proved very slippery in the mist and rain. The first part is fairly straightforward but I found the ascent of all the pinnacles of Corrag Bhuidhe to be quite a challenge . The exposure is extensive, and holds on the pancake shaped rock formations were difficult in the wet. Four of our party managed the route over all the tops, whilst the other two took the bypass path and had a long wait for us. The photos show me sitting on Lord Berkeley's Seat looking like Mr Magoo, and the other is of the preceding party roping up for the ascent of the Corrag Bhuidhe Buttress. Those in the Club who are accomplished scramblers will enjoy this traverse, and I'm sure many have done it before, but I feel it is best saved for one of those clear crisp days with endless sunshine - they do get them occasionally on An Teallach , just not when I'm there ! Anyway, that was another 7 Munro Tops, and I passed the summit trig point on Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill no less than 4 times during the weekend. Does anyone want my surplus ticks ??

Sunday October 10th Stob Coire nan Lochan and Bidean nam Bian

As these hills are in my back yard, no one would be surprised to read that I have done them many times. They make one of the finest hillwalking expeditions in the country. However, the route proposed in the Club programme is normally chosen by boring old baggers whose only aim is to earn ticks for their list.

Far more worthy of a genuine hillwalker’s attention are the approaches starting with an ascent either up the nose of Gearr Aonach (the Zig-zags), or the west face of Aonach Dubh (Dinnertime Buttress). Neither of these features in the Baggers’ Bible.

I intend to do the latter route that day, conditions permitting, having done the former just recently. Discerning members are welcome to join me. All anticipated ticks will be available.
AndrewG

Derry Cairngorm

I'm beavering away at the next club programme, due out very soon. It was suggested that we have another day trip to the cairngorms to do Derry Cairngorm so I have pencilled this in for 16th October. Meantime a couple of us have commented that Derry Cairngorm is easier to do from Linn of Dee (a lot less ascent) and also could be shortened by cycling some of the way. So, having recently purchased a second hand mountain bike, I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to try it. Is anyone else interested in doing an overnighter at Braemar to do this hill from a different direction? If we plan it properly we could time the trip to meet the others from Cairngorm at the top...

All over Scotland !

As I can't be at the Club walk and barbecue today I thought I would share my activities this week by way of the blog.

With a good forecast on Tuesday I headed for Braemar and at 7 a.m. the temperature was -1 C. The cycle up to Slugain for an ascent of Ben Avon and it's four tops was very chilly. A puncture 6k up the glen slowed progress but I managed to visit all the Tops, including the furthest away, East Meur Gorm Craig, which is nearer Cock Bridge than anywhere else ! Did you know that whilst Ben Avon has only one Munro, there are in fact no less than 6 Declassified Munros also ! After a tiring 43k, I was back home by 7 p.m.and a day off to follow !

Thursday saw me in Glen Affric for the marvellous ridge walk in perfect conditions from Tom a' Choinich to Mam Sodhail, and then a descent over Sgurr na Lapaich, last visited by me with Chairman Andrew on 28th March in a blizzard. So different now.
The route described gives 3 Munros and 7 Tops, of which 6 were new to me, and of course the visibility was incredible. The photo above is of Beinn Fhionnlaidh and Coire Lochan, the water looking so blue. Note the distant hills. The total walk was 26k.

I stayed over and on Friday headed for Inchnadamph to climb Ben More Assynt and Conival. On this occasion I headed for the col between Breabag Tarsuinn and Conival and an ascent of Ben More Assynt's South Top from Dubh-Loch Mor. The heat and rough terrain meant four hours to attain the South Top. The ridge connecting the top to the main summit is quoted as being quite exposed but I didn't find any difficulties. By the time I got to the two Munros it was very busy, and I was glad to get back to the car to cool off. Total walk 21.5k. Home to Crieff in just under 4 hours.

I hope to catch up with you all soon, but probably the Arran weekend will be my next outing. Meantime have fun and I look forward to hearing about exploits on Club walks.

2 Days in Lochaber

On Monday the 30th August I left Glasgow very early in the morning and arrived at the Glenfinnan visitor centre car park at 9am. Had a ten minute nap then set off up the west side of the river on the tarmac road to the Corryhully bothy. About 2km past the bothy I picked up the stalkers path to take me to the south ridge of Sgurr nan Coireachan. From here it was a steep climb to the 852 mark then down and up to the summit. Great views as the weather was excellent. Had a good rest then set off along the ridge to Sgurr Thuilm with its many steep downs and ups. Reached the summit had food and drink, good rest then down back to the car. I drove to Invergarry and stayed at a B&B.

On day 2 I set off to the north side of Loch Quoich to walk up Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach. Similar walk as in day 1 though thankfully not just as steep. Picked up the stalkers path which took me to the 850m point then level path before steep climb to summit. Great views and could see The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine that I did with the club two weeks ago. Set off along the ridge to Spidean Mialach, then the decent back to the car.

It was a great two days with excellent weather and only met another three walkers over the two days, apart from the game keeper at Glenfinnan who asked where I was going to walk that day. After I told him, he said that was ok and have a good day.