Carn a 'Chlamain 27 July 2013

After yesterday, a fine sunny morning, and a beautiful scenic cycle ride up Glen Tilt, then an ascent on mostly good paths of Carn a 'Chlamain, the rocky summit cone at 3,159' giving extensive views of totally unspoilt mountains in all directions - Beinn a 'Ghlo to the SE, the entire Cairngorms to the N, and west to Schiehallion. A return cycle ride of 12km got us back to Blair Atholl in 40 mins. My 120th Munro!

Beinn a 'a'Ghlo - the 3 Munros 26 July 2013

A day that started humid and showery, and ended with a rather-too-close encounter with a thunderstorm. We climbed the step eroded path from Blair Atholl up the SW slope of Carn Liath to the summit ridge, which was intermittently clear of cloud at 3,199'. Then along the ridge, with some rain, to the 2nd Munro, Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain at 3,510'. The second peak was in mist, but we then dropped down to the col for lunch in beautiful sun. As we climbed up to the third and highest peak, Carn nan Gabhar at 3,704', we could hear thunder to the south and the storm then moved in very close to us - passing about a mile to the S ( over Carn Liath) and we were enveloped in mist with lightning flashes visible and at one stage we could feel the thunder, then hail fell.....a scary experience, we descended as rapidly as we could and sun again replaced the storm as it moved off. We descended a lower path to the start point.....and met a another walker who was caught right under the storm and had to lay flat amongst the rocks as lightning flashed around.....3 Munros and a memorable day if somewhat frightening and awe-inspiring. M119.

Beinn Dearg 25 July 2013

A fairly long day with Keith and Jennifer for a single but fairly isolated Munro - Beinn Dearg above Glen Tilt, approached from Blair Atholl via moorland stalker's paths, easy gradients then a steeper scramble up the bouldery final ridge to the cairn at 3,307'. The summit was clear, views partly shrouded in mist but extensive across the Perthshire Hills. Munro count up to 116.....

The Fannichs - the eastern four 13 July 2013

A chance for another day with Steven Fallon and this time aiming for the eastern four Fannichs, a range I have long wanted to tackle. Fine weather, with mist lifting off the ridges and a cooling breeze. First peak was the easternmost, An Coileachan (3,028') with views down Loch Fannich and along the Fannichs ridge - and across to Beinn Dearg and the Ullapool hills, also south to the ranges north of Affric and Mullardoch. Then along the ridge over the second peak, Meall Gorm (3,113') to the highest of the Fannichs, Sgurr Mor at 3,645', and the mist rolled away as we climbed the steep west ridge. Then back over the last Munro, Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich at 3,130', then a long walk down the glen. Munro total 115.