Carn An T- Sagairt Mor Carn A' Choire Bhoidheach Sunday 25 July 2010

Had originally planned to walk Beinn a Ghlo today but MWIS said cloud would be slow to clear on the higher tops around A9 and did not fancy walking in cloud most of the day so we decided to stay further east and although in the end I think it would have been fine on Beinn a Ghlo glad that I did these two as only ever done Carn A' Choire Bhoidheach once Started at Auchallater where I'm annoyed to say there has been a half hearted attempt to improve the parking area and a machine installed plus a £2.50 a day charging fee Now I don't mind paying for parking BUT whoever is charging this its a con as the parking area no bigger just slighty smoother than it was before, really hacks me off this. Anyways enough ranting, we walked up the rough road to Loch Callater with the added bonus of seeing a couple of dippers working the River Callater. At the lodge the well constructed path turns NE and runs parallel to the loch raising all the time and continues really all the way following fence posts to the summit of Carn An T- Sagairt Mor.

Looking  towards Tolmount and Loch Callater

Looking at other end of Loch Callater and Callater Lodge

From the summit we dropped down onto the path that would eventually reach Lochnagar and followed it to reach the plateau between The Stuic & Carn A' Choire Bhoidheach where we turned and headed south over the high plateau that leads to the summit of Carn A' Choire Bhoidheach.


The cliffs on Lochnagar from Carn A' Choire Bhoidheach

From the summit of Carn A' Choire Bhoidheach we took the slight detour to The Stuic where there is a great view over the whole of Deeside and the not often pictured side of Lochnagar.

Lochnagar from The Stuic

Myself somewhat windswept on The Stuic

Broad Cairn & Cairn Bannoch from the Path

Rejoined the upward path which skirts round the south side of Carn An T- Sagairt Mor and back down to Loch Callater and then what seems like the long walk out out to Auchallater.

Beinn Talaidh Isle of Mull Friday 25 June 2010

Talked about this hill since on Mull to do Ben More in May 2000 so as it really is a half days walk on its own we decided to climb it as wanted to do eagle watching in afternoon because last day of hols and had totally run out of time.Beinn Talaidh was originally classed as a corbett but was resurvyed and is now given the status as highest Graham. We started walk in Glen More where the midges were out in force but they were not as bad as the cleggs that decided to bite me through my T shirt, hateful things !! but at least these guys were out to try keep their numbers down.

Dragonfly

Finally got rid of the biters when we reached the top of Maol nam Fiadh and were rewarded by fantasic views all round.

Looking South back down Glen More

Ben More in the distance

Looking towards the summit of Beinn Talaidh

When on the main ridge and just below the summit a Golden Eagle came round the east side of hill and circled us for around 15 mins I have never seen a golden this close ever I was utterly speechless every bit of detail could be picked out through binoculars. After this excellent sight it was up the final pull to the summit.

At the summit cairn

Looking towards the Graham of Sgurr Dearg and Glen More

Returned same route and then off to do some birding and we were lucky again as saw female Hen Harrier and adult White Tailed Eagles and also their chick standing in nest amongst other things. Brilliant Day !!