Sgurr a’Mhaoraich

This Munro was one of the hills which figured in my mental list as a more or less unknown entity. I had climbed the South Glen Shiel ridge, I had climbed Gleouraich but I had no memory of any views of Sgurr a’Mhaoraich. This could of course be due to bad weather on the hills mentioned but who knows why my mind had never registered this hill. Nonetheless I had always been looking forward to finally bagging Sgurr a’Mhaoraich because the hill has big shoulders and spacious ridges offering good access and possibly great views of Knoydart and its other neighbours. Now that we wanted to climb it on a semi rest day (Hey, what’s a four hour hike for a real Munrobagger!) the weather was again so-so.

We parked our car in the little layby right after the bridge over the northern finger of Loch Quoich. We vigorously climbed the very nice stalker’s path (on par with the path up Gleouraich) leading onto the Bac nan Caraichean Ridge. At an altitude of about 650 metres the ridge has a level section from where the view ahead towards Sgurr Coire nan Eiricheallach first opens up. Strong wind greeted us there and made it clear that todays Munro would not be bagged strolling along the ridge in bright sunshine worrying about sunburn developing on our arms and necks. Soon the highest point (891m) of Sgurr Coire nan Eiricheallach was reached and it became apparent that the continuation along the ridge leading to Sgurr a’Mhaoraich would be consisting of ups and downs and bends and corners to be turned. In other words: nothing difficult but quite contorted. Ok. On we went and made progress towards Sgurr a’Mhaoraich. In the clouds and mist which had closed in on us we negotiated the outcops below the summit. Scambling over grassy rakes and some snow left over from the winter we finally reached the uppermost part of the south ridge and marched to the 1027m summit of Sgurr a’Mhaoraich. We had our obligatory summit sandwich … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 10th, 2010|2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Eil to Glen Shiel|

Maol Chinn-dearg

Doing things differently than the rest is the privilege of the unexperienced. Or it may simply be the result of independent thinking based on the desire of maximising one’s advantages. Since we were staying in Invergarry we considered ways of climbing the South Glen Shiel hills from the Loch Quoich side. This would save us quite some time driving over to Loch Cluanie and further to Glen Shiel AND we would not have to walk along the trunk road on our way back from the hills. Thus the plan was born to climb Aonach air Chrith, Maol Chinn-dearg, Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Sgurr an Lochain and Creag nan Damh from Alltbeithe.

Well, we parked our car at the road side just behind the bridge crossing the narrow northern arm of Loch Quoich. The land rover track on the west side of this nothern part of Loch Quoich made for easy and quick access to Alltbeithe which is located very nicely near the confluence of the Wester and Easter Loch Quoich Burns. Past Alltbeithe we turned due east and walked the track/path for about two kilometres. Then, after some slight problems locating the stalkers path that climbs up the steep hillside to the north, we finally found the very well-engineered zigzag-path which steadily weaves its way up about 550 to 600 metres to the South Glen Shiel Ridge. We made good progress and soon the ridge was gained. I chose to take nap there and let Frank bag Aonach air Chrith alone since I had already had the privilege of visiting this hill with Mike years ago. While Frank was on his jogging exercise to this fine Munro, I really dozed off until I was re-awakened by some Scotsmen who also took a break at the beallach. We chatted a bit and ate some cookies.

Soon Frank came back and together we headed on to Munro No. 2, Maol Chinn-dearg. Again this one was in my bag already from years ago. Nonetheless it’s always nice to touch a summit cairn. Then … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 9th, 2010|2002, 2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Eil to Glen Shiel|

Aonach air Chrith

2010 Doing things differently than the rest is the privilege of the unexperienced. Or it may simply be the result of independent thinking based on the desire of maximising one’s advantages. Since we were staying in Invergarry we considered ways of climbing the South Glen Shiel hills from the Loch Quoich side. This would save us quite some time driving over to Loch Cluanie and further to Glen Shiel AND we would not have to walk along the trunk road on our way back from the hills. Thus the plan was born to climb Aonach air Chrith, Maol Chinn-dearg, Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Sgurr an Lochain and Creag nan Damh from Alltbeithe.

Well, we parked our car at the road side just behind the bridge crossing the narrow northern arm of Loch Quoich. The land rover track on the west side of this nothern part of Loch Quoich made for easy and quick access to Alltbeithe which is located very nicely near the confluence of the Wester and Easter Loch Quoich Burns. Past Alltbeithe we turned due east and walked the track/path for about two kilometres. Then, after some slight problems locating the stalkers path that climbs up the steep hillside to the north, we finally found the very well-engineered zigzag-path which steadily weaves its way up about 550 to 600 metres to the South Glen Shiel Ridge. We made good progress and soon the ridge was gained. I chose to take nap there and let Frank bag Aonach air Chrith alone since I had already had the privilege of visiting this hill with Mike years ago. While Frank was on his jogging exercise to this fine Munro, I really dozed off until I was re-awakened by some Scotsmen who also took a break at the beallach. We chatted a bit and ate some cookies. Soon Frank came back and together we headed on to Munro No. 2, Maol Chinn-dearg. Again this one was in my bag already from years ago. Nonetheless it’s always nice to touch a summit cairn. … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 9th, 2010|2002, 2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Eil to Glen Shiel|

Creag nan Damh

Doing things differently than the rest is the privilege of the unexperienced. Or it may simply be the result of independent thinking based on the desire of maximising one’s advantages. Since we were staying in Invergarry we considered ways of climbing the South Glen Shiel hills from the Loch Quoich side. This would save us quite some time driving over to Loch Cluanie and further to Glen Shiel AND we would not have to walk along the trunk road on our way back from the hills. Thus the plan was born to climb Aonach air Chrith, Maol Chinn-dearg, Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Sgurr an Lochain and Creag nan Damh from Alltbeithe.

Well, we parked our car at the road side just behind the bridge crossing the narrow northern arm of Loch Quoich. The land rover track on the west side of this nothern part of Loch Quoich made for easy and quick access to Alltbeithe which is located very nicely near the confluence of the Wester and Easter Loch Quoich Burns. Past Alltbeithe we turned due east and walked the track/path for about two kilometres. Then, after some slight problems locating the stalkers path that climbs up the steep hillside to the north, we finally found the very well-engineered zigzag-path which steadily weaves its way up about 550 to 600 metres to the South Glen Shiel Ridge. We made good progress and soon the ridge was gained. I chose to take nap there and let Frank bag Aonach air Chrith alone since I had already had the privilege of visiting this hill with Mike years ago. While Frank was on his jogging exercise to this fine Munro, I really dozed off until I was re-awakened by some Scotsmen who also took a break at the beallach. We chatted a bit and ate some cookies. Soon Frank came back and together we headed on to Munro No. 2, Maol Chinn-dearg. Again this one was in my bag already from years ago. Nonetheless it’s always nice to touch a summit cairn. Then … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 9th, 2010|2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Eil to Glen Shiel|

Sgurr an Doire Leathain

Doing things differently than the rest is the privilege of the unexperienced. Or it may simply be the result of independent thinking based on the desire of maximising one’s advantages. Since we were staying in Invergarry we considered ways of climbing the South Glen Shiel hills from the Loch Quoich side. This would save us quite some time driving over to Loch Cluanie and further to Glen Shiel AND we would not have to walk along the trunk road on our way back from the hills. Thus the plan was born to climb Aonach air Chrith, Maol Chinn-dearg, Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Sgurr an Lochain and Creag nan Damh from Alltbeithe.

Well, we parked our car at the road side just behind the bridge crossing the narrow northern arm of Loch Quoich. The land rover track on the west side of this nothern part of Loch Quoich made for easy and quick access to Alltbeithe which is located very nicely near the confluence of the Wester and Easter Loch Quoich Burns. Past Alltbeithe we turned due east and walked the track/path for about two kilometres. Then, after some slight problems locating the stalkers path that climbs up the steep hillside to the north, we finally found the very well-engineered zigzag-path which steadily weaves its way up about 550 to 600 metres to the South Glen Shiel Ridge. We made good progress and soon the ridge was gained. I chose to take nap there and let Frank bag Aonach air Chrith alone since I had already had the privilege of visiting this hill with Mike years ago. While Frank was on his jogging exercise to this fine Munro, I really dozed off until I was re-awakened by some Scotsmen who also took a break at the beallach. We chatted a bit and ate some cookies. Soon Frank came back and together we headed on to Munro No. 2, Maol Chinn-dearg. Again this one was in my bag already from years ago. Nonetheless it’s always nice to touch a summit cairn. Then … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 9th, 2010|2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Eil to Glen Shiel|

Sgurr an Lochain

Doing things differently than the rest is the privilege of the unexperienced. Or it may simply be the result of independent thinking based on the desire of maximising one’s advantages. Since we were staying in Invergarry we considered ways of climbing the South Glen Shiel hills from the Loch Quoich side. This would save us quite some time driving over to Loch Cluanie and further to Glen Shiel AND we would not have to walk along the trunk road on our way back from the hills. Thus the plan was born to climb Aonach air Chrith, Maol Chinn-dearg, Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Sgurr an Lochain and Creag nan Damh from Alltbeithe.

Well, we parked our car at the road side just behind the bridge crossing the narrow northern arm of Loch Quoich. The land rover track on the west side of this nothern part of Loch Quoich made for easy and quick access to Alltbeithe which is located very nicely near the confluence of the Wester and Easter Loch Quoich Burns. Past Alltbeithe we turned due east and walked the track/path for about two kilometres. Then, after some slight problems locating the stalkers path that climbs up the steep hillside to the north, we finally found the very well-engineered zigzag-path which steadily weaves its way up about 550 to 600 metres to the South Glen Shiel Ridge. We made good progress and soon the ridge was gained.

I chose to take nap there and let Frank bag Aonach air Chrith alone since I had already had the privilege of visiting this hill with Mike years ago. While Frank was on his jogging exercise to this fine Munro, I really dozed off until I was re-awakened by some Scotsmen who also took a break at the beallach. We chatted a bit and ate some cookies. Soon Frank came back and together we headed on to Munro No. 2, Maol Chinn-dearg. Again this one was in my bag already from years ago. Nonetheless it’s always nice to touch a summit cairn.

Then … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 9th, 2010|2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Eil to Glen Shiel|

Ben Oss

In stark contrast to their famous neighbour Beinn Laoigh these two Munros permitted us to enjoy a sunny and warm day on their ridges. We had spent the night in Crianlarich and wanted to climb two Munros en route before moving into our base for the week, a cottage in Invergarry. After a good Scottish breakfast in the Crianlarich Hotel we drove the few miles to Dalrigh and left our faithful car in the large parking provided for the hillwalkers.

The bridge over the River Fillan and the landrover track leading west by the railtracks delivered us at another bridge, this time over the railway line. Immediately after the bridge we left the landrover track, crossed the Allt Gleann Auchreoch and followed the path on the left bank of the burn. The continuation was quite beautiful. Old trees, dry and wet meadows on the bank of the tumbling burn, sunshine and a meandering path allowed us to gradually gain height. When we reached more open land we passed a plantation of fir trees and then steadily climbed towards the northeast ridge of Beinn Dubhchraig.

Soon we reached the summit of the first Munro and enjoyed the views for a while. Then it was back to the beallach between Beinn Dubhchraig and Ben Oss from where we contoured around the southwest face of Beinn Oss and finally climbed the second Munro by its steepisch south ridge. Maybe an unusual way of approching the hill but the views of Loch Oss and Coire Garbh compensated for the extra kilometre or two of walking. At the summit of Beinn Oss we paused for a snack and the vies of Beinn Lui. Very nice indeed!

But we did not linger for very long because we still had to buy provisions for the week in Fort William. Walking down the interesting and rocky northeast ridge of Ben Oss we used some snowfields to speed up our progress towards the beallach below. From the beallach we climbed up the steep western ridge of Beinn Dubhchraig until … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 8th, 2010|2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Lomond to Loch Tay|

Beinn Dubhchraig

In stark contrast to their famous neighbour Beinn Laoigh these two Munros permitted us to enjoy a sunny and warm day on their ridges. We had spent the night in Crianlarich and wanted to climb two Munros en route before moving into our base for the week, a cottage in Invergarry. After a good Scottish breakfast in the Crianlarich Hotel we drove the few miles to Dalrigh and left our faithful car in the large parking provided for the hillwalkers.

The bridge over the River Fillan and the landrover track leading west by the railtracks delivered us at another bridge, this time over the railway line. Immediately after the bridge we left the landrover track, crossed the Allt Gleann Auchreoch and followed the path on the left bank of the burn. The continuation was quite beautiful. Old trees, dry and wet meadows on the bank of the tumbling burn, sunshine and a meandering path allowed us to gradually gain height. When we reached more open land we passed a plantation of fir trees and then steadily climbed towards the northeast ridge of Beinn Dubhchraig. Soon we reached the summit of the first Munro and enjoyed the vies for a while. Then it was back to the beallach between Beinn Dubhchraig and Ben Oss from where we contoured around the southwest face of Beinn Oss and finally climbed the second Munro by its steepisch south ridge. Maybe an unusual way of approching the hill but the views of Loch Oss and Coire Garbh compensated for the extra kilometre or two of walking. At the summit of Beinn Oss we paused for a snack and the vies of Beinn Lui. Very nice indeed! But we did not linger for very long because we still had to buy provisions for the week in Fort William.

Walking down the interesting and rocky northeast ridge of Ben Oss we used some snowfields to speed up our progress towards the beallach below. From the beallach we climbed up the steep western ridge of Beinn Dubhchraig until … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 8th, 2010|2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Lomond to Loch Tay|

Beinn Chabhair

Warm weather, sunshine, weekend. Friday 7 May 2010 saw Frank and me driving from EDI to Crianlarich. The first day of a hill-walking holiday is always special since the long wait for Alba is finally over and we are both eager to get out of the car and into our boots. We reached Crianlarich, dropped our stuff in the Crianlarich Hotel and drove on to Inverarnan where we parked the car, packed our rucksacks for the afternoon walk and soon followed the trunk road (A82) to where the access road to Beinglas farm branches off.

After a few minutes we left the farm behind us and started the steep cimb up the tree studded hillside left of the Ben Glas Burn. The path reaches the open moor to the south of Ben Glas at 350m. In the upper glen the path follows the burn all the way through to Lochan Beinn Chabair. We were lucky that it hadn’t rained much in the days before since the terrain can probably be very boggy after prolonged periods of bad weather. From the Lochan we climbed an overgrown boulderfield and reached a grassy gully which we walked up all the way to the beallach between Meall nan Tarmachan and Beinn Chabhair. There we turned right and and followed the path on the ridge through and over some outcrops all the way to the little summit plateau of Munro No. 1 of the 2010 holiday.

The views of the Crianlarich hills were good and our legs were glad they could rest for while. The wind at the summit was not too strong so we lingered a bit. Then we said goodbye to the cairn and retreated towards Glen Falloch by the way of ascent. The grassy glen below Lochan Beinn Chabhair allowed us a relaxed walk to Beinglas farm with only the last steep 300m of the descent hurting my rather untrained legs a bit. We got back to the car after less than five hours. An easy start!

2017-09-19T14:16:19+02:00May 7th, 2010|2010, 2019 - 2010, Loch Lomond to Loch Tay|
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