Munros, munros, munros as far as the eye can see! An active journal of this active pursuit, but do there have to be so many? Advice, stories, photographs as well as a good variety of completely off-route rambles.
Distance - 14.5 km Total ascent - 960m Weather - warm at start and end, but cold and blowy at height. Wet for quite a while after summit until lower slopes. Team - with Paul P Other hikers: several others
New software for the mapping as Sonia's laptop died after this year's hiking!
Day 1 - Saturday
This was the inaugral Munro hike of 2014. With our 'family commitments' Paul P and I now get just this one week a year (although we are very grateful for that much!), and so even the drives to and from the hills require some additions to the Munro counts! This year saw us drive through the Crianlarich and Tyndrum areas and so the solitary hill of Ben Challum was right in our sights, especially having seen it from afar on a very snowy day last year.
We parked a little further away across the road and had to walk along a verge for a while, not being sure whether or not the signposted farm shop and 'wigwam' accommodation would have had even parking for the passerby, although we shouldn't have worried. The only problem at the start was finding a route up past the farm buildings and such, but we soon managed and passed under a tiny arch under the railway.
After that steep and sweaty slopes awaited and without any real path to follow we did our best to weave through the grassy mounds and streams that made up the hillside. Eventually the incline lessened and a nice bit of open ground emerged from which we could see the attractive summit area well. Once up at height, the real summit lay a little way along and a nice rocky outcrop gave some character to the proceedings.
At this point the weather did turn and it was chilly for a while. After the summit and our studies of last year's neighbouring hills, we made our way back to be greeted with a fair bit of rain. However, given last year's snow troubles, we pretty much laughed it off, and it was warm again by the lower slopes. The only trouble on the way down was some significant pain in my toes, but I didn't give it too much attention, and blamed it on the particular nature of the incline. However, worse was to come!
Gentle grass slopes lead to a pleasant summit mound:
We have panoramas this year, get used to them! On the summit.
The Mamlorn Hills: Beinn Heasgarnich (62) and Creag Mhor (84)
Walk date: 13/4/13
My Munro #'s: 234 and 235
Pronunciations - translations - heights: Byn heskarneech - peak of the roaring waterfall of the horses - 1078m Craig vore - big rock - 1047m
Statistics: Duration - 09:30 - 19:00
Distance - 21.9km
Total ascent - 2196m
Weather - low cloud for first half of day and feisty winds around first summit, but cleared up for 2nd hill with cloud above hills and low wind
Team - with Paul P
Other hikers: 4
In so much snow, the optional Ben Callum was soon forgotten!
Day 1 - Saturday
And so, the days of the annual hiking fest were with us! Shaking the dust off the gear and remembering how to plot routes and navigate, we got ourselves into some sort of shape (organisation-wise and most definitely not fitness-wise!), and holed up at Crianlarich, ready to start things off with some Mamlorn Hills. Our original plan for the first day had been finishing off the Alder group, complete with a night in Culra bothy beforehand, but with such a late winter we had had many last minute revisions of plans, scaling ambitions back, and very wise that was too!
With the day starting dull, we trekked from the car park up into cloud fairly quickly. The cloud provided an ominous veil, allowing our fears of just how snow clad the hill would be to amplify significantly. Sure enough, we were met by some large patches as low as 500m, not even halfway up the hill! Things weren't helped either by the fact our plotted route came up on a deer fence, and in the fog we had no choice but to scale it, good job this was the first day and we were relatively fresh!
The going after that was fairly steep on frozen grassy slopes, which gradually gave way to full on snowy slopes. After 700m the incline lessened, and we enjoyed a pleasant stroll in almost pure white conditions, with at that time no wind to speak of.
This finished all too soon and the steep rise for the summit began, but fortunately here we met some trustworthy footprints which simplified the navigation somewhat (although checks were still made!), and reassured that in the very least others were just as mad as us. The fact they came in from the east though suggested that that was probably a better approach and would have certainly avoided the deer fence!
Towards the top the wind started to pick up and the last stretch despite the softer incline was quite fierce as we weaved between some amazing wind sculptured ice and snow formations (but no so amazing that I was moved to stop in the cold and start taking pictures!).
Moving quickly on from the summit we walked along the south ridge in absolutely pure white conditions; cloud and total snow cover conspiring to remove any hope of depth perception and we moved very carefully indeed. At Stob an Fhir-Bhoghe, we had to descend but had no visible line at all, and in high cold winds we paced back and forth trying to make out any helpful markers but to no avail. Eventually we started down what appearted to be the most gentle slope but even that led to a whole lot of slipping and sliding, descending was proving much harder on this white stuff! Finally, we got low enough that we dipped below the cloud and breathed a collective sigh of relief. We had come down much more towards the home glen than the route onward, and with the continuing descent taking considerable time, we seriously contemplated dropping Creag Mhor from the day's billing. However, a sturdy lunch in sight of this hill combined with greatly improving conditions tipped the balance and as the afternoon pushed on, we made our slow way to the bealach between these two hills.
From the bealach Creag Mhor was seriously steep, and the northern slope was distinctively icy in patches that we concentrated on avoiding! By this point we were very tired, and it was a case of a half dozen steps followed by a serious groan, and then repeating! In this manner we finally made it to the summit, and looked back at Beinn Heasgarnich, studying the slopes that had caused us such bother earlier in the day.
Fortunately, the slopes off Creag Mhor were much kindly, with the long SE ridge providing a quick descent, although it did toward the end veer east on grassy slopes that were incredible slippy due to the frozen ground.
Once down on the road we crushingly still had an hour of stomping to do, but the wind was down and the conditions were dry so it was strangely enjoyable to pace it out, just a shame about the three hour drive after that! The pint of Stag was truly well deserved when we finally did arrive at The Struy Inn!!
Paul's big hat is on; it must be serious!
Follow those foot prints, they look knowledgeable:
A view!!!
Creag Mhor, second target of the day:
And it has a nice SE ridge to walk down:
Looking across Glen Lochay to the SE:
The abandoned hill, Ben Callum:
The Struay Inn which greeted us that night after a 3 hour drive!!
The second room where our amazing breakfast was served!
Pronunciations - translations - heights:
Myowl girday - possibly rounded hill of the shoulder, arm, hand - 1039m
Statistics:
Duration - 11:45 - 16:45
Distance - 7.5 km
Total ascent - 871m
Weather - perfect; cold with blue skies and almost absent wind.
Team - Sonia and Steve W.
Other hikers: several.
Thanks to a last-minute phonecall from Steve, an expected domestic Sunday turned into a gorgeous Munro-bagging sojourn to the Mamlorn Hills. Tempted by a rare early-November good weather prediction, our happy trio set off to a three-way mutually unvisited peak near the village of Killin some three hours away from Aberdeen.
The good weather held as we made our approach to Glen Lochay and we set off in cold air but with a perfectly blue sky and fine winter sun. The going however was for the most part incredibly boring as we made our slow way over pathless, bracken-clad grassland.
Eventually, this terrain gave way to a fine rocky top. Having seen plenty of snow on neighbouring hills we hoped that today's summit would have also caught some and we were not disappointed; after a dull start Meall Ghaordie came good with amazing views across Glen Lyon to Ben Nevis and Glencoe, and also to the Alder group, the Lawers group, Ben Vorlich, and Ben More and Stob Binnein, all while standing on gorgeous soft white snow.
The view was so good that we stayed there for quite some time, enjoying a much needed but essentially cold lunch. Every second worthwhile, one of the best hikes of the year!!
Statistics: Duration - 11:00-14:30 Distance - 16.2 km Total ascent - 827m Weather - Moderately gusty on ascent. Strong wind on summit. Brief light rain during descent. Team - solo Other hikers: two on summit just before I started final ascent.
A slight deviation west in my eagerness to descend! Last week's hill, Meall Glas, is in the top left corner:
After losing out on Sgiath Chuil and the chance to reach halfway in the Munro tallies last weekend, I just couldn't resist another go this weekend. Even with weather forecasts predicting strong gusting winds up at height, I figured I would at least go and have a look just in case, and I was glad that I did!
Having decided that I would visit the south side of the hill this week, for no other reason than to have a different look at this hill, I parked up at the relevant lay-by on the A85 and made my way across the River Dochart and through Innishewan farm. Straight away after the farm the climbing begins, with a steep ascent through long grass and woodland. This section is very slow-going. Once you get above this, the main section begins, about 3km of wet, rough heather and grassland. My progress was not as quick as the distance would have suggested, with the steady but relentless ascent taking its toll. At least the weather remained dry, although the moderately gusty winds couldn't be ignored. Eventually I made it to the side of Sgiath Chrom, but only having a helpful increase in the incline.
A healthy River Dochart marks the start of this hike:
Fine views over heather and grass to Ben More:
Ben More again (R) with its impressive neighbour (L) Stob Binnein:
Halfway sees this track on its flat way to the col between Beinn Cheathaich and Sgiath Chuil:
For most of the way Sgiath Chrom here hides the target:
It is only after rounding Sgiath Chrom that the summit of Sgiath Chuil comes rightly into view, as does the entire eastern edge of this huge mound of a hill. After a quick bearing to ensure I was heading for the right top, I set off up some exceptionally steep grass slopes in a direct line to the summit cairn. Without having had a proper stop in order to quicken my progress, I found this section very tiring, but the nearness of the top kept me going and soon enough (as measured by time, not mental excursion) I was sat next to the cairn enjoying truly great 360-degree views, taking in the Lawers group, Ben Vorlich and the Bridge of Orchy Hills, the latter dotted with snow!
An intended stroll around the top was cut short by a sudden increase in the wind, as I figured that I had had my luck for the day. I thanked the hill for allowing the visit, and I set off down the tiring grass slopes making decent time back to the car despite ending up descending through the wrong wood at the bottom! A satisfying feeling to visit what had been a near-miss hill, but I would imagine that the north side would make a better walk in general as the entire south ridge would be your ascent route. However, with the wind as high as it was on this day, I was glad to only get exposed at the very end of the day. That's it for this year I think, let's hike again in the spring...
The end is nigh, just near vertical grass left!
Ben Vorlich (L) and Stuc a' Chroin (R) to the SE:
Meall Ghaordie to the NE:
C'mon! The cairn finally in sight:
Some heavy weather happening to the west:
Last week's hill, Meall Glas on the left with Beinn Cheathaich on the right:
The summit panorama:
Cloud low down over Crianlarich:
These fellows remained down at the bottom and remained confused as to my passing each way:
Kit:
From the last Munro post, I promised Eric that I would list my kit contains. Here we go then.
First of all, I generally wear thermal trousers except in high summer, then standard walking trousers over them. On top I just wear normal T-shirts although I do own a couple of hiking shirts. I always have a light-weight jumper and a good water-proof. Good quality hat, water-proof gloves, four-season boots and good gaitors make up the rest of my normal wear.
Other pack contents: Spare jumper (i.e. in addition to the one above) Spare hiking socks (big wet rivers anyone?) Foil sleeping bag (in effect these are rubbish and I need to upgrade to a proper dense-packing thermal job) Plastic two-man survival bag (ideally used in conjunction wth the thermal sleeping bag) Glow-sticks Water-proof outer gloves Torch (I should upgrade to a head-torch) Whistle Blister-kit Compass GPS Map!
As for food, as minimum I always carry: 2.5L water minimum 1L hot drink 3xSandwiches 2xBuns 2xCrisps LotsxChocolate 3xApples/other fruit inc dried fruit
The Mamlorn Hills: Meall Glas (199) but not Sgiath Chuil (270)
Walk date: 04/11/07 My Munro #'s: 139
Pronunciations - translations - heights: Myowlglas - grey-green hill - 959m Skeea-chool - back wing - 921m
Statistics: Duration - 11:30-16:45 Distance - 16.2 km Total ascent - 813m Weather - Cool with low cloud and plenty of moisture in the air, but almost no rain and only light wind even on top. Team - with Sonia, Paul P, Bridget and Sarah Other hikers: one from afar and two across the river!
Numerous options presented themselves, but time and bridges only allowed one:
Showing off the sights of Stonehaven (Sonia-Paul P-Bridget):
Paul and Bridget by Aberdeen's harbour:
Anyways, after all that, everyone still managed to humour me in my desire for new Munro action by getting up exceedingly early on Sunday and heading to Glen Lochay and The Mamlorn Hills just west of Killin, some 3 hour drive that included a stop at Perth to pick up another card-carrying Yorkshire lass in the guise of Bridget's friend Sarah. The aim for the day was a two-Munro hike which would have taken me to the magical halfway point of 142...
However, once geared up we set up a good pace only to be met with a complete absence of footbridge at 453356* (only concrete support posts suggested it had once been there). After a look at the river, we decided that fording it seemed like an unnecessarily wet option, and so we switched plans from doing SgiathChuil first to heading for the footbridge at 432349 and taking on MeallGlas as a starter before taking stock (reasoning that if we did manage the full walk in reverse we would at least only get our feet wet at the end).
Setting off into Glen Lochay with pipeline in view:
The crags to the north of Meall Glas are dead ahead:
Thankfully, although not in the best condition, the footbridge at 432349 did exist and we cautiously used it to cross the Lochay only to immediately be rewarded with some fine Scottish bog. Instead of heading for the steep and intimidating crags which my book insists is a healthy route, we then reservedly headed upwards alongside AlltCoireCheathaich through a gate and into the wide grassy corrie below (and north of) Meall Glas. The going underfoot was wet due to the long grass and soft moss and initially the approach was quite steep, but once past the height of the crags the going was much smoother.
Seen better days, but at least it's still standing!
Steady.. Sonia, Sarah, Paul and Bridget take their chances:
At last, some height can be gained above Glen Lochay:
As I had been keeping to the west of a tributary to AlltCoireCheathaich and the Lochay, our route veered toward the north western ridge of MeallGlas. Figuring that the walking would be easier on the ridge I kept us to this line and after a brief but welcomed lunch and a short rise, we found ourselves strolling up the broad back of this wide hill (hitting the ridge around 427328).
Even with 150m in height to go, this section was very quick and we were on the summit before we knew it. Unfortunately, since hitting the ridge the views had completely disappeared due to the low cloud, but the cairn was very pretty!
With the greater wind due to the exposure on the top coupled with some light rain/cloud moisture, there was no chance of a second picnic happening and it was time to move on. Due to a combination of time constraints and not knowing what the route to SgiathChuil was like, we played safe and ditched it, heading back down to the bridge and a guaranteed dry crossing. This descent took less time than expected due to a fine mix of acceptable incline and the quite pleasant spongy grass underfoot, and we were soon crossing the welcomed bridge again.
An entirely different walk, the welcomed ridge of Meall Glas:
It's worth it for the panoramic views! Getting to the top:
So to the south here, you can see some fantastic features:
Our first view below the cloud of the descent:
Paul and Sonia heading up the rear:
From here, the track back to the carpark was straight-forward, although a lot longer than we'd remembered, so much so that light was getting scarce by the time we were back towards the car. However, this did not stop Paul and I satisfying our curiosity as to how the river crossing at 453356 would have been, by just getting on and doing it for no other reason. The answer was "very wet indeed", and we concluded we had been quite wise to not have our girlfriends do this at the start of the day's hike, but maybe not so wise in our method of deducing this!
Once into dry footwear, we hit the fantastic Sarah-recommended Falls of Dochart Inn at Killin where real ales from Fyne Ales brewery and home made food was served in plenty, and the place even had a fire. A long drive then ensued, but at the tail end of a very satisfying day out, all were happy with it. Fine stuff!
Some live walking action:
That quite unnescessary river crossing 1:
And back:
* The complete lack of footbridge where expected for the river crossing presented quite a problem for us, to the point that Paul was even pondering crossing on the back of the wide pipeline that cuts across the valley in front of the carpark. However, in failing light Bridget and Sarah though they could see a bridge near to the carpark, and a re-examination of the map in this area does show a thin track crossing the river immediately SE of the carpark that then enters the marked forest and begins zig-zagging up the lower slopes that lead to Sgiath Chuil. I would suggest this then as a route up towards SgaithChuil, but just don't expect much of a path in this area (just a bridge). I would also give yourself plenty of time for this pair, as my book's 4-6 hours proved quite optimistic!
"George" is a Yorkshire lad who was dragged up hills all over the country as part of a terrible abused childhood. This has left him with a psychological condition whereby he feels a need to visit innumerable mountain tops, possibly as an attempt to 'cleanse his soul'...
