Hills Climbed - Feb 2003

Another wonderful winter walking weekend for Geoff, Dick, Ian and James, based with Isobell & David at Auchterarder. Robert joined us on the second day.


.	David & Isobell's new friend Callum, aged 4 months.	.

Our route started from the north end of the dam of Loch an Daimh near the head of Glen Lyon. The hillside was wet from melting snow, and at Meall a'Phuill we reached the cloud base. After five minutes on the summit in cloud, it cleared to provide good views to the east and west. We carried on northward to Garbh Mheall to get the full benefit of the view over Loch Rannoch. Descent was by the same route.


Geoff, Dick & James on the summit of Meall Buidhe as the cloud clears.	On Garbh Mheall, Geoff points out Schiehallion, appearing out of the cloud.	Stuchd an Lochain, across Loch an Daimh from the ridge below Meall Phuill.

The weather forecast to the west was bad, so we went for the furthest east munro, Mount Keen. It was a two-hour drive to Glen Esk, where we followed the Water of Mark past the Queen's Well, then up Ladder Burn to the Knowe of Crippley. The final ascent to the summit was in cloud, but the path is wide and straight so with the help of a compass there was no problem finding the route.


The approach to Mount Keen up Ladder Burn from Water of Mark.	Robert enjoys some Penny-cake on Mount Keen's summit.	James & Dick descending from Mount Keen, just below the summit.

The forecast was for a fine day and the plan was for a circuit of the Beinn a'Ghlo ridge. We left the car by Loch Moraig above Blair Atholl, and followed the Shinagag road to the foot of Carn Liath. The snow had drifted heavily making walking difficult, and this continued on the lower slopes, aggrevated by very wet ground from the thaw. On the summit we were suddenly exposed to a relentless biting wind from the north-west, which soon left us chilled to the marrow and without any enthusiasm to continue. We therefore opted for a lazy descent the way we had come, stopping at a sheltered spot below the summit for a half-hour's sunny doze in the heather.


Looking over the Beinn a'Ghlo summits from Carn Liath.	James on the summit of Carn Liath.	Dick, Geoff, James & Ian after the descent of Carn Liath.

This year, we drove to Torridon via a night in Auchterarder, and stayed at the Torridon Youth Hostel. It was a lot of driving, but we had two long days on the hills, and one distillery tour (Glen Ord).

Saturday 3.5.03 - Ben Eighe; Spidean Coire nan Clach (993m), Ruadh-stac Mor (1010m)

The walk started at a small car park by the A896 about a mile east of the bridge over the Allt a' Choire Dhuibh Mhoir. The stalkers' path provided a rapid ascent through Coire an Laoigh, the party splitting between the south ridge and the direct ascent. We arrived at the main ridge in a blizzard, and Phil, Dick & Ian did the short diversion to the summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach (993m).


The side-ridge enclosing Coire an Laoigh.	The summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach.

The weather soon improved, and Phil's birthday (LV) was celebrated with traditional cake, candle and song. The summit of Ruadh-stac Mor (1010m) provided clear views over the mountain wilderness to the north.


Liathach and Coinneach Mhor from the ridge above Coire nan Clach.	After the birthday party, Geoff poses in the view back to Spidean Coire nan Clach.	Ruadh-stac Mor, at 1010 metres, is the highest point of the Beinn Eighe ridge.

Descent was back to the south bealach, and down a steep gully into the impressive Coire Mhic Fhearchair. It was then a long gentle walk down Allt a' Choire Dhuibh Mhoir, and up the main road to the car.

The walk started at the car park in Incheril, with an attractive 4km walk to the foot of Gleann Bianasdail. The path then ascended through the high-level Coire na Sleaghaichand up the north ridge of the mountain to Sgurr an Tuill Bhain. From here it is a short walk to the double-peaked summit of Slioch.


On the path from Incheril.	View of the summit from Sgurr an Tuill Bhain.	Loch Maree from Slioch Summit.


The summit party; Ian, Roy, Dick, Phil, Geoff.	Descending towards Sgurr Dubh; in the distance, the path to Incheril.

The drizzle started as we descended over Sgurr Dubh, and continued for the long walk off the hill and along the river to Incheril. We were all cold and wet by the time we reached the car.