M66 |
1070 m. |
3511 ft.
Pronunciation bray corrie kroon vaalakan
Translation Upland of the corrie of the round blisters
OS 43 | Gridref NN 946724
Cord, Frank enjoyed it
The first hike of the 2008 holiday saw Frank and me parking our rented car at the end of the public road at Loch Moraig. The weather was not all that promising but that did not put us off the task ahead. One of the great hills of the Central Highlands. Ok, we hiked up the track which leads out onto the open moor to the two ruined shacks where the path up the southwest ridge of Carn Liath commences.
We climbed the path which is very well visible even in bad weather. The National Trust should perhaps consider spending some money on repairing this scar. In line with the steepness of the terrain we gained height quickly and reached the summit of Carn Liath in due time. From the summit we continued due north. Then the clouds lifted and we could see the way ahead. A great view. The continuing ridge over Beinn Mhaol snaked in front of us. Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgian was visible as was Argoid Bheinn. Complex ridges, wide views, snow, grass and scree. We continued our walk to Bheinn Mhaol. Rain set in, the clouds closed in on us and soon it was a typical Scottish day on the hills. We reached the col between Bheinn Mhaol and Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgian and started the climb up the west ridge of the latter hill. The path veered to the north, we followed the corniced corrie rim to the right of us and bumped into the summit cairn. Frank and I touched it and went on. After a few hundred metres we found the steep snow-covered descent to the col between Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgian and Argoid Bheinn. From the col we climbed the flank of the hill and veered north. Touching one or two further cairns on our way to the summit we finally made it to Carn an Gobhar. There the obligatory break for some water, sweets and photographs was called. The views were very nice from the summit of the highest Munro of the group of hills. But, it was also quite cold and Frank and me decided to start the return leg of the walk. Retracing our steps over the wide ridge we headed for the summit of Argoid Bheinn which we traversed and continued down the steep south-west ridge. The path zigzagged down the ridge. Further down we struck across the corrie, crossed the Allt Bealach an Fhiodha and climbed the opposite bank. The path we reached was very boggy. Walking, jumping and getting out feet wet was the order of the following hour. Rats! Well, later than sooner the conditions became better and we finally, finally reached the Land Rover track which after another 45 minutes took us back to the starting point of our expedition. Beinn a’ Ghlo proved to be a “hill of the mist” alright. But we also had nice views and the mountain range was very beautiful indeed. A perfect start to a hiking holiday and truly a superb ensemble of hills.
Description
Beinn a' Ghlo, meaning hill of the veil, is not a single peak, but a splendid range of several peaks, ridges and corries and it is the finest mountain in the Mounth between Blair Atholl and Glen Shee. It occupies a large area to the north-east of Blair Atholl on the south side of Glen Tilt. In the view from the west, Carn Liath is the most prominent of the three Munros, appearing as a conical peak linked by a high ridge to Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain. Hidden behind these two is the highest point, Carn nan Gabhar, a remote summit which is a long way from the nearest point of access. The traverse of its ridges is a splendid walk which may have to be done twice, once to reach Carn nan Gabhar and again on the return journey.Start at the end of the public road from Blair Atholl up Glen Fender near Loch Moraig and go along the track to Glen Girnaig for about 2 kilometres before striking north-east directly up Carn Liath. A very obvious scar on the ridge marks the way. Continue along the twisting ridge northwards to Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain and > kilometre north-east from its summit descend the east side of the ridge to a col. Climb east onto the ridge between Carn nan Gabhar and Airgiod Bheinn and go