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.

Glas Tulaichean Carn an Righ Sunday 22 August 2010

With permisssion parked at Dalmunzie Hotel and began walk up the dismantled railway line to reach the ruined building of Glenlochsie Lodge. I always remember the first time doing this walk as this is fourth time but did not walk up railway line but path on other side of river which reached ruined lodge on wrong side, so had to cross river which was pretty much in spate (March) I would not recommend this as had to throw rucksac over and remove some items of clothing and wade nearly swim over, absolutely freezin !  Anyway  the route continues up a well established path that takes you right to the summit, we had a heavy shower during the ascent but the cloud cleared while at the summit.

Glenlochsie Lodge

Looking from the path back down Glenlochsie

From the summit of Glas Tulaichean we continued on N ridge until ground was less steep then turned and desended NW to reach the path on the south side of Mam nan Carn. Followed this obvious path to the stoney summit of Carn an Righ.

Carn an Righ from Glas Tulaichean

Glas Tulaichean from Carn an Righ

Path from Carn an Righ along Mam nan Carn Munro Beinn Lutharn Mhor on extreme right

From the summit of Carn an Righ followed path back along south side of Mam nan Carn and almost all the way back to Loch nan Eun but just before reaching loch cut across peathags (nightmare) at the end of N ridge of Glas Tulaichean to descend and reach the path that leads to Loch nan Eun from Glen Taitneach.Then we followed this long path back to Dalmunzie Hotel.

Tarmachan Ridge Sunday 8 August 2010

Having done twice before but not for some time decided on Sat that this would be the walk for today and to do it before the sna comes again !! Started at the usual starting point just beyond the Ben Lawers vistor centre and followed the well made path (was not there the first time I did it) that climbs the broad S ridge easily to the first top and only Munro, Meall nan Tarmachan. The ridge then heads south west passing two lochans to reach the shapely peak of Meall Garbh

Meall Garbh from Meall nan Tarmachan

Looking west towards the tops of Beinn nan Eachan & Creag na Caillich from Meall Garbh

From the summit the ridge narrows then there is a steep descent which requires some downward scrambling (care is required) this could be bypassed to the north but it will still be down steep grass.

Steep descent from Meal Garbh

The ridge then continues round and over knolls to reach top of Beinn nan Eachan

Looking back ridge to Meall Garbh & Meall nan Tarmachan from Beinn nan Eachan

Looking towards Loch Tay

A slight dip  in the ridge then leads to last top of Creag na Caillich where we retraced our route to a cairn marking the descend into the corrie to reach the old disused mine building and followed the road that was once used to reach mine back to the start.

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 !!

Dun da Ghaoithe Isle of Mull Monday 21 June 2010

Dun da Ghaoithe to left from Lochaline to Fishnish Ferry

This is the only Corbett on Mull so since I am kind of climbing the Corbetts on & off it was the  first on the list. Started late afternoon as although it was dry and very warm the mountains in Mull were producing orographic cloud, so we where trying to hang off as forecast was for better later on. Now according to the SMC Corbett guide the preferred route begins at Scallastle (Farm, alarm bells already ringing !) Anyway walked up the road to the so called gate between farm and coachworks where we could not go through  as was blocked off and then saw a Staff Bull Terrier coming our way so it was out of there. Back at car drove further down road past Craignure to begin near the turn off to Torosay castle. This is a nice approach especially for the views south  but the downside is it is partly a bulldozed road to reach phone masts.

Duart Castle from start of hillwalk

Ferry from Oban on way to Craignure

Alpine flowers on the ridge

After passing the two phone masts gaining height all the way (cos although hill is only 766m its a 10m start) we finally reached the top of Mainnir nam Fiadh were there was thousands of midges so no stopping then it was along a narrowing ridge, which by this point was partly in and out of cloud to a dip in the ridge and final pull up to the summit which again had even more midges, never been at a summit cairn where have I seen so many, really could not stop or it was eaten alive.We just returned the same route in reverse.

Looking towards Tobermory from near the summit