A larvae of a plan had hatched to meet up with Pyro and Lesley Taylor in Tarbert for music and beer. Headed north to Tyndrum late on the Friday in the Berlingo with a view to an early morning hill on the Saturday. The chosen overnight spot was at Dalrigh. Arrived just before midnight to find another few folks with the same idea!
Got up and headed along the track to Connonish and up past the gold mine installation and onto Beinn Chuirn. The weather had been fine up until we reached the top of the gully leading up from the mine at which point it turned a bit nasty – rain and strong winds. Huddled behind a rock and had a quick bit to eat before retracing the route back down to the farm. Very close to the car the weather improved and blue skies returned!
Drove down to Tarbert and found Pyro and Lesley sitting outside a tea shop (a sight not uncommon during races either). It was good to catch up …had it really been two years since Lesley moved out to the Middle East?!?!? Post food, beer and music, Pyro did what Pyro does …a nice wee fire show! A couple of weeks later and I almost have gotten rid of the smell of paraffin from my top now. Next morning was back to the café for a bit of breakfast before heading south.Quick unpack / wash / repack and I headed north to meet up with my Dad and some of his pals for more hill sport. Was going to get the bus to Kintail but it was silly expensive so opted for the longer (but free) train up to Kyle of Lochalsh instead. The plan was to have three days on the Munros but the weather was very much like the bus fare …silly. High winds and heavy rain met me at the station. Next morning was no better and my Dad opted for a day at low level whilst my former boss Ian and I headed up to Ciste Dubh. Since I was also planning on taking in the wee Corbett of Am Bathach on the return, I nipped ahead on the summit ridge to gain some time. Whilst the visibility was actually really good
(cracking views over towards Glen Affric) the wind made progress to the summit challenging). On a couple of occasions, I was nearly blown off my feet. Heading back down, I met up with Ian and warned him but he was already aware having had to kneel down for a bit to avoid getting blown over! Had a brief chat with a couple who had turned back just above the col before starting up Am Bathach. Was surprised to find a path (not common on the Corbetts) and was soon over the summit and starting back towards the road and the car.Next day the weather had not really improved but at least the wind was down a bit. The bigger hill team of my Dad, Dave, Jenny and Ian left the cars at Dorusduain in search of Beinn Fhada and A Glas Bheinn. The great stalkers path was very welcome as we headed up towards Coire an Sgairaine. We had a brief lunch stop before climbing out the coire and onto the plateau leading towards the summit of Beinn Fhada itself. I noted the subsidiary top to the west but discounted heading across (later established I had not been up it as thought …grrrrrrrr). Quick summit pic at the trig point and it was decision time. Dave and Jenny decided to head back down to the lower ground and my Dad and Ian decided to continue over to A Glas Bheinn! We took the direct route down to the bealach which turned out to be “interesting” in a very steep way. Managed to pick a route down through the crags successfully though. There were other options but it is good to keep the skills up. The route up the ridge of A Glas Bheinn seemed to go on for a while …a very long while to be exact. We had a real sense of achievement reaching the summit but were equally pleased to be on the last descent of the day. The route down gave fantastic view up Loch Duich at least until we got snarled up in the last bit down through the forestry and a final sting in the tail of a deer fence (which I got to cross twice to retrieve my Dad’s hat). Ian seemed happy having got another two of his Munros giving only 26 still to do.
The Thursday dawned worse in terms of weather and a wee single Corbett was in order. I took the opportunity of getting dropped off on the Glen Elg road to traverse over Sgurr Bhraonain before ascending Sgurr Mhic Bharraich – not sure it was a good idea but the route finding was tasty in thick mist. With part two of the trip over …it was back to Glasgow for another unpack / wash / repack cycle !
Sunday afternoon and it was time to return north on the A82 – this time to meet up with Alan Anderson (who was up in Fort William with his wife Gillian and wee boy Fraser) and Stuart “Shamir” Ferguson and his pal Ian Park. Plan was for a bite to eat in the Fort, a pint and another Munro on the Monday. Turned out the Atlantic low and strong Westerly wind that had been sitting over the Western Highlands was still there. Monday morning dawned and the reduced hill team of my Dad and myself set out towards Glen Finnan. The rain let up a bit …long enough to start the cycle into the mountain but within minutes being heavy enough to warrant waterproof trousers again. The rivers were up on my previous trip to Gulvain back in May but with good bridges, nothing to worry about. We left the bikes and headed up the main ridge leading to the 855 top. We had good visibility up until around 600m where it became intermittent. At 855m, it was mainly solid mist but occasionally a brief glimpse of the surrounding area was enjoyed. Over the trig we continued in worsening conditions to the main summit – another featureless photograph (to many misty cairns this year) and we returned to the bikes by the same route. By this time the wind had increased to the point going downhill was actually hard work and the rain was solid.
Back at the car my Dad made the point he was finished with spending time high up in bad weather …he has a point!
A busy few weeks but as always, good ones.
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