Beinn a' Ghlo Sunday 26 Sept 2010

Beinn a Ghlo (Carn Liath) From Monzie

Had not planned climbing Beinn a Ghlo today but when travelling up the A9 from Pitlochry the hill was so clear and was shouting "Climb Me". Started at Monzie and had already decided to walk the three munros in an anti clockwise direction therefore almost getting the hill to ourselves. This route does make for a long walk in but as I have done in a clockwise direction it feels like an even longer walk oot. The path is pretty good and leads to the base of Airgiod Bheinn.

Airgiod Bheinn from approach path

After a fairly steep pull up Airgiod Bheinn the whole of the mountain comes into view. We sat down here for a drink and a Golden Eagle came over Carn Liath caught a thermal or two then disappeared from sight.

Watching the Golden Eagle disappear

Carn Liath and Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain from Airgiod Bheinn

From the top of Airgiod Bheinn there is a slight drop then a climb up to the first munro of Carn nan Gabhar.
Looking at Carn nan Gabhar from Airgiod Bheinn

From the summit of Carn nan Gabhar a descent west leads to a fairly short sharp reclimb to the summit of the second munro Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain, where the view to Carn Liath is fabulous.

Cairn Liath from Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain

After another descent south and a climbing traverse east, south, then east again we finally reached last munro of the day, Carn Liath.

Looking back to Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain from Carn Liath

From the summit of Carn Liath a steepish descent leads down a scree path and back to the approach path  to Monzie. Was an absolute fantastic day !

OS Bing Map of Our Route

Arkle Sunday 5 Sept 2010

Arkle from Loch Stack

Have had our sights set on Arkle since passing by it to climb Foinaven last May they both have the same starting point just past Achfary at the start of the private road to Lone bothy. Once past the bothy but still on the track we passed through the boulders which are almost like a gateway  into a small plantation.

Boulder Gateway

Ben Stack from above plantation

After climbing out of the plantation we reached the small cairn that marks the route up Arkle, this route continues unrelenting to reach Meall Aonghais but all the way up has great views. At this point we stopped for something to eat and were entertained by two ravens showing us their flying skills but I really think they wanted our lunch, also at this point you get the first glimpse of the Arkle ridge in front of you.

Watching the Raven & the Arkle Ridge

At 758m just further along the ridge is where you get the real first view of Foinaven and the real summit of Arkle

Arkle's narrowing ridge & summit

Foinaven from Arkle

After leaving point 758m the ridge begins to narrow and at one point just before the summit narrows considerably. The day was warm and sunny but rather windy and the wind was as usual much stronger(gusting 50-60mph) higher up, when we reached the very narrow  point we had to crawl along and traverse ledges to reach the wider summit plateau (not for the faint hearted) but the views from the top were well worth it, mindblowing !!

Foinaven and looking out to the Sea

The Summit Cairn

A VERY windblown me at the Summit

Looking back at the ridge

The descent was just the same as ascent but with great views to the Corbett Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill. A truely magic day and I think the best of the year so far. Sutherland is pure brilliant !!

Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill.

Beinn Narnain & Beinn Ime Wed 1 Sept 2010

Not climbed these two hills in a long time so as Paul off on holiday and me on day off decided a mid week hillwalk was on the cards I remember climbing these the first time and there was no car park at Succoth as there is now. The new path now seems to draw one towards the improved path that runs between The Cobbler and Beinn Narnain but we wanted to climb the Cruach nam Miseag ridge so after a bit of looking found the path that leads up the old railway blocks as the start has become a little overgrown. Once on ridge the views open out to Ben Lomond and Loch Long and the first glimpse to The Cobbler always blows me away.

The Cobbler

Loch Long

Just below the Summit of Beinn Narnain we stopped for a bite to eat and to admire the Spearhead on Narnain and The Cobbler, awesome !

The Cobbler & Beinn Narnain

Myself with Ben & Loch Lomond in background

After a wee easy scramble up the spearhead we  reached summit of Narnain where after that followed  a considerable drop and reclimb to Beinn Ime.

Beinn Ime from lower slopes of Beinn Narnain

Beinn Narnain from Beinn Ime

The descent goes back to meet the newly well constructed path between Beinn Narnain and The Cobbler then it leads one down beside the buttermilk burn and in between the gigantic Narnain Boulders and back to the car park.