Thursday, 9 December 2010
North West Scotland Inspiration
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Beinn a'Chleibh
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Thank You Nevis HWC
I would like to say thank you to everyone from the Club who has accompanied me to any of these 227 Tops, many of which are off the normal Munro-baggers routes.
For those who like statistics, I had climbed 97 Tops during my ascent of the Munros in the years up to 2008. To climb the remaining 130 meant 68 days on the hills, walking 1329k in 460 hours. I couldn't even think of calculating what mileage my car has done to get to these hills !
As I've said here before, some of the Tops are a bit boring, but others, particularly in Skye and Torridon give you a real sense of achievement.
I'm grateful to those who have sent good wishes in recent days. In some ways it's sad to get to the end of a journey. Next year I'm hoping to climb "The Furth", the term which the SMC use to describe the 34 mountains over 3000 feet in Ireland, Wales and England. That should be a small enough list for someone of my age to tackle !
I'm looking forward to walking with the Club again next year, and I wish all my fellow members success in their individual challenges.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
A Day in Arrochar
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Alternative Walk
There was still cloud up ahead on the tops, but we were hopeful. On the way up we were lucky enough to see a small flock of fieldfares (identified by Ralph). However, when we arrived at Meall Garbh, we missed the cairn because of the mist. A few minutes later, we were joined by another guy who had missed the small cairn to turn off the track at the start of the walk. He had carried on to the col at the head of Coire Buidhe, and then climbed up to join the path where he met us.
On one of the rockier bits, there was the burping sound of Ptarmigan, and then we saw them. They were nearly in their full winter coats, and were wonderfully camoflaged. The three of us carried on to the summit with the cloud coming and going. When it cleared, there were wonderful views in all directions, with the lochs like mirrors, and the sound of the rutting stags echoing up from the glens below. As usual, Ralph reached the summit before me and was lucky enough to see a Brocken Spectre, but by the time I got there, the mist had cleared. I missed the Brocken Spectre, but got the views.
We met various people who had different ideas to complete their walks, but given the short day, some were a little ambitious.
We returned the same way, with all its ups and downs, (this hill may be only 936 m high, but with the lumps and bumps, the climb is about 1500m) . On the descent, we saw two more ptarmigan that just carried on feeding, although we were only a few metres from them. All in all, this was a very successful walk.
John
Monday, 1 November 2010
Mullach nan Coirean diversion
Thursday, 28 October 2010
The Lancet Edge
Friday, 22 October 2010
For Map Geeks !
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Not a Cloud....
Saturday, 25 September 2010
The Hills are Alive
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
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
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
Saturday, 4 September 2010
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.
Friday, 3 September 2010
2 Days in Lochaber
Friday, 20 August 2010
Unfinished Business .......
An earlier informal outing to Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair (Fisherfield) was planned with Cris but didn't happen, so last week I climbed that one from the A832 via Loch a' Bhraoin. It's a long day and the 28.5k took just over 9 hours. About 45 minutes was spent to and from the wee exposed top of Sgurr Dubh, so if that was omitted and a cycle was used on the long loch approach it should be possible for Cris to add on a couple of other Fisherfield Munros.
John B may also be interested to know that I made it to A' Chralaig's remotish top of A' Chioch which proved impossible on the Club outing on 1st May when snow and zero visibility intervened !
I also blogged about a windy outing to Torridon in July, and on Saturday enjoyed a perfectly calm day to bag my remaining 2 Tops on Beinn Eighe - what a spectacular mountain !
Finally , Les might like to know that I was back in Skye this week and he isn't the only one to suffer poor weather there. Yesterday, Thursday, all forecasts indicated that sunlight would be the sole hazard but up on the Cuillin Ridge it was dreadful, heavy rain, winds of 25mph+, and cold enough for gloves. Managed my 4 remaining Tops there, but I have never seen rock so greasy and frankly I was glad when the time came to escape down the Great Stone Chute !
Toughprint
So I purchased a pack of Toughprint through Amazon. According to the blurb it is 100% waterproof, tough, durable and photo quality. 25 sheets for £13.99 so not cheap at 56p each. However I do file these maps for reuse. I am pleasantly surprised with it. It seems to be waterproof (coped with the showers we had on Lochnagar) and stands up to a fair bit of buffeting in the wind. Please ask to see it next time we're on a walk and you can judge for yourself.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Weekly Reports versus Blog versus Diary
In contrast, a blog is full of personal opinions as well as facts, often written hurriedly and without the care and attention one would give a more important piece of writing. All bloggers know and accept this and it in no way detracts from the value of the Blog and the important role it plays. However, neither Club members nor members of the public will plough through all this stuff to find out what we did last week, or obtain a clear picture of what our Club does and stands for.
Let us use up to date technology to publish the weekly reports, but keep it under the control of an editor. If this task is too onerous for one person, we should appoint a small number of additional members to assist.
The Diary of course predates the Website by many years. Yes, it is a tradition. It is also a record of what the Club actually does, as opposed to what we intend to do (the programme). It is read every week, and information extracted by the Club archivist (task currently being performed by Gerry). The information assists those producing the programme, the weekly reports, the annual report, supports grant applications, and so on. Other media can present this information but there is no more immediate and accurate means of gathering it than the members who participated writing it down immediately after the walk.
I can understand that sometimes members may be too tired or too embarrassed to write something meaningful, poetical, philosophical, original, funny, scathing, intelligent, outrageous, or useful. Please don’t bother. Just ensure that you or someone in your party writes down the day and date, which hills you did, which routes you took, and whom you walked with. That will do thank you. If you didn’t do the walk on the programme, a reason why would be helpful. Or if it was just due to weather or conditions on the Hill, a description of these would be useful.
AndrewG
Monday, 16 August 2010
Two days in Glen Shiel
On reaching the summit the mist had lifted though views were still restricted. Had lunch then set off for Sgurr an Lochain and by now the sun was fully out and had excellent views in all directions.
Set off for Sgurr Beag though traversed round the south of the peak and headed for my final Munro of the day to Creag nan Damh. On approaching the cairn there was a large bird sitting on top of the cairn though could not tell what it was. After a good break and lots of photos I set off south east down a steep slope then South to the A87 where I had to walk back to my car which was about 7km east to my start point.
Since I was joining the club next day I decided to test my new tent at the Sheil Bridge campsite and also get eaten by the midges. The guy and his wife in the tent next door kindly help me to erect mine which took us 10 minutes, or should I say them. If it had been me, I would still be trying to piece it together though now I am all set to do some wilderness walking to bag a few Munros!!!
I met Norman in the Kintail Lodge for a night cap and discussed our days on the hills.
I will leave the Sunday report to a club member though I did The Saddle via the Forcan Ridge and Sgurr na Signe. A great two days with wonderfull weather and five munros.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Problems making a comment?
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Reports of Recent Walks
Obviously, the "Reports of Recent Walks" web-page is nothing more that a crude blog. This was fine when I started it but things have moved on, blogging technology is available today, all over the web and we ought to make use of it. The advantage would be that any member could contribute reports and publish them themselves. At present, people write trip reports in an email. I then cut and paste these into a copy of the web-page on my PC along with some HTML (HTML is the instructions to your browser on how to format the page), add the photos, tweak the HTML a bit to tidy up any oddities and load everything to the web-server. Really, this is all looking a bit "third world" by today's standards !!
We could either include reports of these walks in the existing club blog or have a separate blog dedicated to Programme Walks. I personally think that one blog is enough for a small club like ours.
But this is enough from me. What do others think ?
The Diary
At the end of our walks, it is customery to meet up at a local hostelry or cafe to talk about that day's walk and others, and generally socialise. The diary, at the moment, is part of that, but I feel that it has become something of a chore, actually reducing the craic.
That's enough of my feelings on the subject. Now it's your turn! And by "you", I mean all members. Let's have lots of comments, please!
Thursday, 5 August 2010
A Short Day Out
This is my first attempt at writing a mesage on the blog so
lets hope it works! I was out today for the first time in quite a while so I didn't fancy a big day out. I wanted a short day to give me a short strenous walk to get back into the swing of things. Andrew and I met in the Glencoe car park and walked up to the mast " the hard way" of course because we couldn't have too easy a start back. We were out for about 3 hours but it was enough to stretch the calves and get a bit of fresh air. The views were much better than expected and we only had one heavy shower so that was a real bonus. It was great to get out and I am looking forward to getting back to walking with the club so if there is anyone else out there who wants to be led gently back into the habit of walking give me a shout and I will keep you company.
It's not all about getting to the top as quickly as possible. It's about enjoying the walk, the company and hopefully the views.
Jean
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Beinn Dearg near Blair Atholl
On Sunday I drove up to Blair Atholl to climb Beinn Dearg. It is a remote Munro so I took my bike and cycled along the track which felt like a steady ascent all the way to the bothy.The good point was that it would be downhill back to the car and so it proved. On reaching the bothy it reminded me of the club trip to Knoydart last May in that 'beautiful' Druim Bothy that we stayed in for three nights.
Further along the track you come to the path which starts the uphill walk proper, heading mainly north to the summit. The weather was ok with light mist on the summit and just a couple of light showers which only lasted about 10 minutes.
On the cycle out I met up with the young couple that I spoke to at the bothy where they had stayed the night after walking in on Saturday, not realising how far a walk it was. I felt sorry for them as they had back packs and the young lad also had two polly bags to carry with several more miles to go. A good day and another one bites the dust.
Hope to join the club walk for the Saddle and plan staying a couple of nights to do another day in that area.
Les
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
A day in the life of Wesley
Cairngorm, where we had a shower of hail greet us. Nice.
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Glen Affric
Midges Update
Some of you may already have come across the new midge repellent, called Smidge. I have bought some and find it to be excellent. It has hardly any smell, is non-greasy and seems to be highly effective. It comes in a spray can and costs £6.99. Not so much a spray, more a white lotion which you spray into your hand and rub on.
Visit www.midgeforecast.co.uk for a list of stockists. Their own supply had run out until 23 July last time I checked, but it is cheaper to buy it offline anyway.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Correction to "A Wilderness Walk on the Isle of Mull"
PS to Sgor an Lochan Uaine and Cairn Toul
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Lurg Mhor and Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich
Accordingly, Cris, Norman, Ron and Roy gathered at Attadale on a dreich and miserable Saturday morning. The forecast was for the weather to clear up in the afternoon. However, the first thing which met us when we got there, was a large sign, saying the Loch Carron Highland Games, scheduled for that day, had been canceled. Hmm - not encouraging.
Anyway, we set off on our bicycles, along a good tarmac road. For those who don't know it, Attadale is a very attractive little glen with forestry, holiday cottages and, of course, the Gardens. All very nicely done. Of course, that did not last. The tarmac ended with the holiday cottages and the track became rougher and much, much steeper. The climb up to the bealach has some fearsome hairpins which give an idea of what the Bealach na Ba, in Applecross, must have been like before the road engineers got their hands on it. The other side is quite different - a long and relatively gentle run down through a deserted landscape. Finally, two white buildings appear - Bendronaig Lodge. One building is locked and is kept for the Estate but the other is a very well-equipped bothy - it even has a flush toilet (though you have to fill the cistern from the nearby burn with a bucket !)
We abandoned the bicycles a few hundred metres further on at a dodgy river bridge, then walked on to Loch Calavie. From there, it was just (!) a slog up the grassy slopes to the bealach between the two munros and a left and right. For information, the area around the bealach is very confusing in mist - lots of bumps and dips etc so you have to pay attention to your compass.
The summit of Lurg Mhor is a wide plateau with a large cairn at the far end. Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich's summit is much more spectacular being gained by a narrow rocky ridge with big drops on both sides. Don't know about the views - completely clagged in when we were there.
Then it was back to the bothy and the long cycle ride back to Attadale with a terrifying descent down the hairpins. The forecast improvement in the weather finally happened and I had a fantastic sunset in front of me for the drive back to Fort William.
If anyone else is interested, it took me just under 2 hours to drive from FW to Attadale. The cycle/walk took us around 10 hours including 2 x 1/2 hour stops in the bothy. We probably lost another hour or so due to burns which were uncrossable raging torrents and dodgy navigation on the way up. So it is still a very long day but no more. Clearly, it is possible to cycle as far as Bendronaig Lodge though you have to get off and push for a fair bit of the way. The surface is pretty rough in places (in fact, most places) - a bike with suspension would definitely be preferable.
Tired now
Sent from my HTC Touch Diamond
Resting blistered feet
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Saturday, 17 July 2010
Checkpoint 2
20 km. We are ahead of schedule so a good point to refuel and look after our feet.
Sent from my HTC Touch Diamond
Friday, 16 July 2010
Sgor an Lochain Uaine and Cairn Toul
Left the car at Achlean in Glen Feshie at about 9.40am, with the weather not too bad--dry, but with low cloud and a fairly strong wind. The walk was uneventful until the crossing of the Allt Sgairnich, where I met another walker. He had camped the previous night, was heading for Monadh Mor, and was planning to camp again that night. I commented that the cloud had risen in front of me as I climbed on to the plateau, and hoped it would continue.
We separated and I passed Loch nan Cnapan with no view of the hills I was aiming for. The cloud did not continue to rise, but in fact came lower, and with it the rain and wind.
I set my compass and headed for the foot of the first hill. The going was hard, with boggy patches, and where there wern't boggy patches, it was bouldery, (and all the time, wondering if I had enough time to complete the walk). Ascending Sgor an Lochan Uaine, the boulders became bigger and more often, the rain and wind wetter and stronger. GPS came into its own, and I made it to the summit cairn. There was a slight lull in the wind, and I was able to take a look over the edge of the cliffs to try and see the lochan. Cloud and more cloud. So, another bearing and down to the col before climbing Cairn Toul. More and bigger boulders, stronger wind and rain. ( and still checking the time--not enough to stop for a break). The shelter cairn at the summit came just in time, and I had to take a short break for a drink, but no food.
Compass and map again, then out into the weather. More boulders (downhill and harder), gale-force winds and rain, and 10 metres of visibility. I was walking into the wind now, heading west. Boulders, boulders, boulders, wind, wind, wind. This was not fun. Still heading west, the cloud cleared for a moment and I could see a spectacular glen to my left that I had not seen before. Where was that? Am I on the correct bearing? Out with the map-it must be Glen Geusachan (?) The doubt lingered, but I had to carry on.
Eventually, the boulders ran out, but the wind and rain did not. Again, a break in the cloud, and I could see steep cliffs in front of me--Glen Einich? (how's the time going?) Still not able to stop for a break. Then Loch nan Cnapan, and confidence returned. Crossed the burn (no problem, even with all the rain), and on to the track. Then something rather strange. I was out of the wind for the first time in a while, and my brain became disoriented, like being drunk but without the pleasure. It did not last long, as I was straight back into the wind again.
The just ahead of me, two walkers appeared out of the mist, going the same way (two more idiots out in this weather!). But I did not have the energy to catch them up, and they turned off towards Carn Ban Mor. The wind was still battering me, the rain was off and on and the cloud was still down, but I was nearing home! The wind did not stop until I entered the forest, and was I relieved.
Back at the car, I decided that I had better head for home immediately, so put the sandwiches on the passenger seat to eat on the way.
At Duror, there was a sign "Road ahead closed", but it was too early! I carried on, but again at Appin, another sign "Road ahead closed"!
I reached Barcaldine at 8.35pm, and the road was open! Yippee!!
In retrospect, it was not too bad a walk--objective achieved (two Munros climbed), navigation worked out successfully and I completed a long, hard walk in a reasonable time--but I hope that I never have to do it again!
Swapping Highland hills for gentler southern ones
Along with three friends we are preparing to take part in the Trailwalker 2010 challenge organised by Oxfam and the Gurkhas. This big event takes place every year and attract hundreds of teams. We will be walking 100km across the South Downs from near Petersfield to Brighton in under thirty hours. It's really like coming home as this is where I first learnt to love the outdoors, exploring the South Downs as a boy.
We set off at 7am tomorrow morning, walking all through the night, aiming to stoll across the finishing line at Brighton Racecourse by Sunday lunchtime. We are backed by two supprot crews who wiill be meeting us at checkpoints along route. I hope that my time spent with the club and on my own in the mountains around Lochaber will prove useful.
I am going to try some mobile blogging over the weekend so that you can see our progress along the route accompanied by a few photographs.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Failure on the In Pin
On the big day we set off with our guide in good weather conditions with a forecast of sun and a light shower in the afternoon though as we were to discover later, in Skye they do not do light showers, only continous downpours.
By the time we were halve way up Sgurr Dearg the white puffy clouds were turning to grey misty clouds and getting thicker as we gained height. When we reached the summit of Sgurr Dearg it was thick cloud, then we droped down then back up to a ridge with the In Pin in front of us covered in thick cloud. We had lunch while waiting our turn to go down to the beginning of the Pin and when time came for us to get strated the cloud was even thicker and the wind had got up. The decision was made to go ahead though by the time the ropes were set up it had started to rain. I was second to go and by now the wind and rain was heavy, though I set off and to my surprise I did the first pitch to the halve way point, very steadily and only pausing at one rock slab where I could not see foot holds very clearly at first. After doing the first pitch, the real problem arose. The person at the top could not get the rope down due to the severe wind as it kept blowing over to my right. After what seemed like ages the decision was made to abandon the climb and then panic set in when I was told I would have to go back down the way I came up.
I focused myself then went back down and was pleased with how I had coped and will try to get up to Skye next month while my confidence is high.
Wednesday was a total washout as we gave up just over halve way up Sgurr nan Gillean because of the wind and rain. The lady that owned the B&B that we were staying at told us that they had not had rain for 6-8 weeks. Just our luck.
Les
Friday, 9 July 2010
Ruigh Aiteachain Bothy
On the way in, we met a walker who told us that he had come across three men who were going to the bothy. So we knew that we would have company--for the first time, as we had always had previous bothies to ourselves. Coming in sight of the bothy, we could see two, then three, four, five, no six people. Would there be room for us? It is only a small bothy, although we did not know how big or small.
On arrival. there were three men trying to light a stove outside in the wind. Apparently, they had tried it with diesel for the first time in the bothy, and filled the place with smoke and fumes. There were, in fact, eight people there. The other five were a family from Canada, Mother, father and two daughters aged about 11 and 14 years, and their cousin/guide from Scotland. And there was plenty of space for all of us. There are two rooms, one with bunk beds, that had been claimed by the Canadian five, and another with three sleeping platforms and a stove. (By the way, there is also a toilet! It's outside in a small hut, but that's better than most bothies)
Chris (and Lou) and I stayed in the second room with the three walkers, who had come in on foot from Kingussie. And the next day were planning to walk to Ryvoan bothy via Aviemore. They eventually gave up on the diesel for the stove and decided to try to get some petrol from one of the houses on the other side of the River Feshie. Unfortunately, the bridge at Carnachuin has only recently been washed away, so they had to ford the river both ways. But they were successful in obtaining petrol from the estate and also getting the stove working.
The room with the wood burning stove was the obvious place for everyone to congregate, so we did get to socialise. Rowan, the Scottish cousin, took charge of the stove, but encouraged Chris to help. He is a keen bothy visitor and walker, and had persuaded the Canadians, Ken, Catherine, Abbie and Gillian to try the "bothy experience".
The next day, Tuesday, the three men left on their 20 mile (they guessed!) walk, while the family headed for the Munro of Mullach Clach a'Bhlair with Rowan. Chris, Lou and I went to have a look at the remains of the bridge, and then followed the path up towards the Munro, but only for a short way. Back to the bothy for lunch, and then a leisurely wander up the glen. The character of the glen changes further upstream as it becomes narrower and steeper. We came across a previous landslide caused by the extremely fragile rock.
Supper was prepared and eaten, with Lou making friends with anyone who had food, and endearing herself to everyone. Chris was put in charge of the fire by Rowan and told to keep it alight all night, by putting logs on every hour!
Next morning, we awoke (to a cold fire!) and started to pack. Everyone was leaving that day. Rowan had come in by cycle and trailer, carrying an incredible amount of food and coal for the family, and of course, had to the ford the river, and would have to again on the way back.
After tidying up, we made our farewells and walked back in lovely sunshine.
Our thanks to Ken, Catherine, Abbie and Gillian, and Rowan for making our first bothy stay with company so pleasurable. And I think that the bothy experience was a success for them as well, even the two children.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Advice please
Monday, 5 July 2010
Steal Bridge again
As you can see in this picture, the wire is not actually broken. Instead, one of the two steel cables, which make up the "foot rope", has come loose from its fixing. On the face of it, it would not be difficult to re-attach it ?
The fact that it is taking so long to do anything at all, makes me suspect that the lawyers and/or H&S people have got involved.
Despite the notice on the bridge, " DANGEROUS STRUCTURE - DO NOT CROSS", it is clearly possible to cross - see this picture, taken this afternoon.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Torridon
Troubled by wind in Torridon !
Another "Top Bagging" exercise, but this time with a poor forecast for high winds, and so it turned out.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Excellent Reports of recent Club Walks
Maybe the committee should consider an end of year prize for the best report published during the year, and this might encourage more members to submit material to Ron.
Meantime, Mike gets my vote !
Monadh Mor & Beinn Bhrotain (Cairngorms)
On reaching Glen Feshie, all the hills were clear and it was dry! In fact, the whole walk was characterised by the dryness, both in the air and on the ground. I don't think that I have seen the hills as dry as this for a very long time, if ever. Apart from a fairly strong northerly wind, conditions were ideal, and we made good time.
Crossing the plateau SE of Carn Ban Mor, Ron pointed out an adult dotterel and three chicks (there may have been more but that's all I saw). There were still extensive areas of snow on all the hills around, but we only had to negotiate one small patch.
On reaching Monadh Mor, the views to the east were spectacular with Sgor an Lochain Uaine, Cairn Toul and the Devil's Peak particularly so. Ron has done the first two, also from Glen Feshie, so I was trying to see a possible route for me, as I have not. After the almost flat Monadh Mor came the climb up the boulder field that is Beinn Bhrotain, then back by almost the same route. Eight and a half hours to do about 28 km and 1600 m climb-not bad (for me anyway).
Then the drive home, and not a chippy between Glen Feshie and Fort William!
Monday, 21 June 2010
Skye - Knight's Peak & The Bhasteir Tooth
Friday, 18 June 2010
The midges are back
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Strathcarron trip
Then the real hard work started as we climbed to the 876 eastern top of Beinn Liath Mhor where we were rewarded with spectacular views of Torridon and its hills. After a quick bite we headed off along the ridge, which was harder going than one might think, due to the rocky terrain.
We reached the summit on schedule 3hrs40 after heading off. Another quick bite and we set off down to the head of the coire. Some of this was tricky, but Mike’s wee book kept us on the right path through the crags which we negotiated carefully. Then we stopped at the lochan for a swim (for the dog), before starting off on our next climb up to Sgorr Rhuadh.
By this time we were beginning to tire, but still on schedule. The cloud came in a bit at the summit, and I put on waterproofs. Then we started our long descent past Loch a’ Bhealaich Mhor where Mike decided to bag the Corbett too (Fuar Tholl) while he was in the area!
Jimmy, Fern and I carried on down, our legs definitely weary by now. It was a relief to be back at the van, 8 ½ hours after setting off, having had a super day out. We changed our shoes and socks, and Mike appeared down the road. We met Cris and gave her a lift back up to Torridon where we met Ron and the five of us had a lovely meal in the Torridon Hotel bar.
This was a rather impromptu trip, rather short notice as the weather is always such a big factor. If anyone wants to join us if we are heading off on another such trip, often midweek and weather dependant, please get in touch.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Isle of Arran Walk
The second was much better and in similar weather--dry and warm with lots of sunshine! This time I walked up Glen Sannox to climb Cir Mhor. The walk up the glen was pleasant on a very good path, ending at the head of the glen in stone steps leading to a tricky chimney (lots of scrambling, but minimal exposure) to reach the Saddle, the col between North Goat Fell and Cir Mhor. There I was surprised to find a steep and rocky path up to the summit of Cir Mhor. My only prevous climb of Cir Mhor was several years ago, and I remembered the summit as being very exposed and scary! However, the exposure was only on the north side, and the views were exeptional. It was not as scary as the chimney!
To change the route down (and to avoid reverse scrambling down the chimney!), I descended north towards Caisteal Abhail (The Castles), but not climbing it. Instead I dropped down into Coire nan Uamh, causing a small rock avalanche on the very loose and steep climb down (good job there was no-one below me!). Coire nan Uamh is spectacular with steep slabby walls, and is a coire within a coire, which means that there is also another climb down to reach the floor of Glen Sannox and the way home.
Do consider this walk if you go to Arran in October. It can be varied, with additions to The Castles, North Goat Fell, A'Chir or Glen Rosa.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Walk Programme-Sunday 20th June
One can omit Meall a’ Bhuiridh and continue to Clach Leathad to descend by the SE ridge (Sron nam Forsair) towards Ba Bridge on the WHW. Some way down the ridge steepens considerably, giving a fine airy viewpoint. One could continue down to Ba Bridge, but we came back up a short distance to where a steep grassy slope leads down towards the Allt Coire an Easain. It is possible to thread a route through the crags to arrive at the outflow from the lochan. From here, a traverse rising about 80 metres gains the col NW of Creag an Fhirich. The Old Military Road, or the WHW can be reached north of their highest points by contouring round the bulging flank of Meall a Bhuridh, with a splendid perspective across Rannoch Moor.
Much more interesting than pounding back up the WHW, and shorter too. Don’t bother though if it’s wet (very boggy), or bad vis (very boring), the WHW would score higher.
Andrew G
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Strathfarrer Six
We took the same track as the club weekend outing in March but discovered the path, which we followed then, continues in a gentle ascending traverse across the corrie headwall below Sgurr na Fearstaig. This looks like an old stalkers path - it has been dug out of the hill. It must have been buried by the snow in March. This time it was clear apart from a short stretch of 10m or so where we had to tip-toe across the remnants of an avalanche. On reaching the ridge, it was a left turn to Sgorr na Fearstaig which turns out to be a fabulous view point. The air was astonisingly clear and we could pick out Ben Nevis, Skye, Torridon, Loch Maree, Slioch, Fisherfield, An Teallach, Ben Klibreak, Ben Wyvis and the Cairngorms. Must have been over a hundred miles !
It was then a case of heading east along the ridge (clear path all the way) over Sgorr Fhuar-thuil, Creag Chorm a Bhealaich, Sgorr a Choire Ghlais, Carn nan Gobhar and Sgorr na Ruaidhe - 4 Munros and 2 Munro tops. The N side of the ridge as far as Sgorr a Choire Ghlais is very spectacular - it seemed like you could throw a stone from the path to land in Loch an an Fhur-thuill Mhor, 300m below. After Sgorr a Choire Ghlais, the character of the walk changes completely into gentle round hills covered in moss.
We got back to the car with about an hour to spare before the gate closed (7pm) so the two cars trick was probably a good move.
Since it was so clear, this was a unique opportunity to see the extent of remaining snow cover. Most hills still have the odd patch of snow but the ridges are black and should be fine for walking. The big Glen Affric hills, such as Sgurr nan Ceathreamhan, still have a lot of white stuff - presumably gullies etc where the drifting snow is many metres deep but the ridges are black. Probably OK for walking access though it might be prudent to take an axe in case you have a cross a steep slope of the white stuff. The big exception to this is the Cairngorms which are still covered in a continuous white layer. It is going to take several weeks yet for this to melt.
"Topping" Bank Holiday walk !
One of the Tops, Tom Dubh was described by Irvine Butterfield in his "High Mountains" book as "the most meaningless Top in all Britain", but on a fine day it was a good walk. However after a slow trudge up to the Braeriach summit, my effort was rewarded. Two photos here, one of the cornicing around the An Garbh Coire on Breariach, the other a distant shot of Ben Macdui for those who are planning to go on the Club outing later this month.
After that a fabulous walk to take in my 3 remaining Tops on Sgor Gaoith, all in glorious weather. Truly an outing to remember.
Norman
Friday, 14 May 2010
Summer? What summer ?
I spoke to someone who did Castle Ridge yesterday - the main hazard was giant icicles crashing down, evidently !
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Book Review
by Ian Mitchell, Luath Press 1998, Revised edition 2004. ISBN 0-946487-39-1
An excellent little paperback explaining who were the first people to conquer Scotland's mountains and why they did it. Tales of bandits, poachers and illicit distillers, combined with accounts of early map makers, road builders, geologists and others. A vast amount of research has gone into this work, which I would gladly keep as a reference book.
I particularly liked the account of Colonel Colby of the Ordnance Survey (who only had one hand) who pushed his men hard in 1819 whilst surveying large tracts of Scotland. They walked 513 miles in 22 days, took a rest day, and then walked 586 miles in another 22 days, climbing a mountain every other day, all the while measuring and surveying as they went ! )
As an example of what to take with you in 1800 I also liked the story of John Leyden ( who graduated from Edinburgh University at the age of 15) - "Having armed myself this forenoon with a hammer and a bottle of cider, I sallied out alone to ascend the steep lofty mountain of Cruachan Ben ". (He also walked from Oban to do so, and returned on foot the same day !!
The book is crammed full of historic exploits, well worthy of reading, perhaps not all at once but definitely one for the coffee table.
We were surprised by the amount of snow left in the corries, now well into May. But the ridge was clear and made a great ascent route over Creag na h-Ingninn. We stopped every so often to catch our breath and admire the views down the snow covered Glen Affric hills.
Then a contrast as we headed over Beallach Toll Easa to the relatively flat, round summit of Toll Creagach. Congratulations were in order - this was Jimmy's 200th munro. In just over six hours we were back at the car having had a another great day out. I think Tom a Choinich may be my favourite hill so far., but I'm looking forward to the next...
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
the wintery day we had on Saturday so we set out from Morvich caravan site, acompanied by Norman's wife Kate, with a spring in our step. We had heard tales of Hunter's Pass and decided instead to take the tourist route along the Gleann Choinneachain and up Allt Coire an Sgairne. After a quick bite at the munro summit (my tick) we headed east to Sgurr a Dubh Doire and were rewarded with superb views into Glen Affric and beyond. Then back west past the summit and on to Meall an Fhuarain Mhoir to Norman's second top, and this time views across Kyle to the Cuillins. From here we also watched a lone soul heading off along the western ridge. No doubt this is the direct route back to Morvich, but our already weary legs chose to return by our ascent route. Just over seven hours from when we started we returned, tired but happy, having had a truly wonderful day. Thanks Norman.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Pensioner's 100 Day Munro attempt
http://dglmf.wordpress.com/gerry's-munro-blog/
It puts my puny efforts to shame !