Monadhliath - Carn Dearg, Carn Sgulain and A'Chailleach 30 Oct 2015

An excellent last walk of the year with Keith, on this fairly featureless moorland area - the weather was increasingly good throughout the day. First target was the highest of the 3, Carn Dearg at 3,100', which has a nice curving summit ridge that was clear of cloud, and gave nice views across towards the east Highlands and the Cairngorms. Then a pleasant high level plateau, and a lengthy though straightforward crossing to Carn Sgulain, rather featureless at 3,018'. The last peak, to the south was A'Chailleach, 3,051' and the descent from this third peak of the day, in beautiful sun, was enlivened by 3 (!) superb Golden Eagles that appeared from the north, in deep flapping display flight - and unbelievably were joined by a third bird, presumably in territorial dispute. Very close views, and Keith got some shots on his compact but my camera was safely back at the accommodation! A nice finale to 2015 that leaves me on the nice round total of 175 Munros, with 29 completed this year.Three summita and three views today!

Sgor nam Fiannaidh 19 Sept 2015

This western end of the Aonach Eagach was done in isolation in cloud this morning, the clearance never arriving......drifting cloud made Glencoe look rather brooding, with brief suggestions of immense rockfaces appearing through the mist. A very stony, and at times steep and slippy, ascent to the summit at 3,173'. Munro total now 172.

Sgor na h-Ulaidh 18 Sept 2015

A totally stunning day of blue skies, starting with the Aonach Eagach across the glen, and then a fairly steep ascent of grassy slopes, with increasingly impressive views of Bidean nam Bian and Beinn a' Bheithir. The final ridge to the summit was breathtaking, with amazing views down Loch Linnhe towards the Hebrides, and then a small summit table (3,261') giving an amazing panorama - Glen Etive round to Rhum and the Cuillin, north west towards Fisherfield, and the Mamores and Ben Nevis north across the glen. One of those days that I will always remember. Magical. Munros now 171.

Binnein Beag 17 Sept 2015

A really enjoyable day to complete the Mamores - starting with a cloud inversion on Loch Leven, then the fog clearing as I walked below Sgurr Eilde Mor, then eventually up the slopes of Binnein Beag, fairly beag, at 3,084' but rather rugged, and a good viewpoint in the showery conditons, especially north to the Grey Corries. The rain didn't set in til I was half way back. Munro total 170.

Mullach nan Coirean, Stob Ban and Sgurr a' Mhaim (Mamores) 16 Sept 2015

An enjoyable but strenuous day on the central Mamores from Glen Nevis - Good views with some drifting cloud to make things dramatic. The first Munro was Mullach nan Coirean (at 3,081') with dramatic views east along the main ridge, which we traversed, superb views and only a little scrambling required, to Stob Ban at 3,277'. Finally, one more bealach then a pull up onto Sgurr a'Mhaim, the highest of the day at 3,606' and giving great views down the length of Ben Nevis. A long drop down to the road, but a superb day in fairly benign weather. Munro total 169.

Meall Chuaich 21 June 2015

An enjoyable East Highland walk in brightening, eventually sunny, weather up the northern outpost of the Drumochter Munros. An easy approach from the A9, with expansive views from the summit (3,120')especially W and NW, to Ben Alder and the Monadhliath. Surprisingly little wildlife seen despite the sun, waders on the river being the highlight. Munro total now 166.

Sgurr nan Each, Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Meall a'Chrasgaidh ( Central Fannichs) 19 June 2015

Cloudy and breezy, no views but dry for the last 3 Fannichs I needed to climb.......the cloud lifted briefly at intervals to reveal the first summit, and later to show the glens and Loch Fannich. In between, cloud, narrow ridges and a surprising amount of snow still lying. A pity to miss the corrie views especially from the second Munro, Sgurr nan Clach Geala at 3,586'. Sgurr nan Each was first at 3,028' and after enjoying the ridges we descended off the final Munro, Meall a'Chrasgaidh at 3,064'. Golden Plovers calling in the mist were a highlight. Munro total 165.

Ben Klibreck 18 June 2015

A dreich windy day in Ullapool and the northwest, so a change of plan and a drive N to tackle one of the remoter Munros, Ben Klibreck. A boggy approach and a surprisingly steep pull onto the ridge led to a windy cold and clouded-in summit (3,153') with some sleet in the wind.....an outlier bagged. Munro total 162.

A' Bhuidheanach Bheag and Carn na Caim 24 May 2015

These 2 hills E of the A9 completed my round of the main Drumochter group. Fairly pleasant flat terrain and not too wet, expansive east Highland views without being dramatic. The first Munro, A'Bhuidheanach Bheag (3,071') had a nice trip of migrant Dotterel near the summit, and it was a straighforward walk across to Carn na Caim (3,087') for the higher Munro of the day. Two clear summits and the Munro total reaches 161.

Drumochter - Geal Charn, A'Mharconaich, Beinn Udlamain, Sgairneach Mhor 23 May 2015

A solo walk in superb morning sun and a round of the four W Drumochter Munros brought my tally up to 159. Dotterel and Golden Plover, presumably on passage, were all around the first cairn, Geal Charn at 3,008'. Pleaant ridge walking and moderate ascents led on to A'Mharconaich at 3,199' then Beinn Udlamain at 3,314' where I nearly tripped over a pair of very confiding Ptarmigan. The final peak after a sweeping ridge was Sgairneach Mhor (3,251') following which I descended heathery slopes and followed the river back to the A9. A very enjoyable day. Munro total now 159.

Creag Meagaidh, Carn Liath and Stob Poite Coire Ardair 22 May 2015

I've looked forward for a long time to doing Creag Meagaidh and it didn't disappoint, A moderate climb up to the first Munro, Carn Liath at 3,300' led to a superb ridge with expansive views of the snow-filled Creag Meagaidh corries, via the second Munro, Stob Poite Coire Ardair at 3,455'. Then onto the cloudy plateau of Creag Meagaidh, and Keith's trusty navigation in the arctic conditions, on snowy ground, led straight to the cairn at 3,707' A really enjoyable day, and the descent speeded by glaissading down snowy slopes. Munro total 155.

Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg 21 May 2015

A cloudy day, but one that surprisingly stayed dry, with the wet weather staying resolutely on the west coast. Views all round from these A86 peaks, especially dramatic down Loch Treig from the first Munro of the day, Stob Coire Sgriodain at 3, 202'. Then across the high level plateau to Chno Dearg (3,425') and more views, west to the snowy Easains. Views and no rain was a bonus. Munro total now 152. Enjoyable despite the middling weather.

Ben Vane 20 May 2015 - Munro no 150!

A sunny morning, and summits that stayed clear, for an enjoyable ascent of my 150th Munro, Ben Vane, and my completion of the Arrochar Alps. A true rugged mountain despite only just creeping over the 3,000 ft barrier.....at 3,003'. A milestone acheived. Many superb memories.

Ben Vorlich (Arrochar) 14 May 2015

A beautiful sunny West Highland day, and a solo walk up Ben Vorlich in the Arrochar Alps.....a walk in to the Sloy dam, and a fairly strenuous pull up rocky slopes to the NE onto the ridge, then a pleasant walk up the slopes to the summit cairn (3,094') north of the trig point....stunning views to Loch and Ben Lomond, across the Arrochars and Ben Lui to the north, still very snowy. Very enjoyable but surprisingly cold for May with significant snow patches still lying. Munro no 149.

Driesh and Mayar 7 March 2015

A windy start to the 2015 season, torrential rain in the west but the Angus Hills dry. A pleasant start and finish in the forest in Glen Clova, and some hill fog and significant snow patches on the plateau. Keith guided me unerringly first to the summit of Driesh at 3,107', with its stone shelter full of snow, then across snow and bog to Mayar ( more windy, difficult to stand at all) slightly lower at 3,045'. No view from either unfortunately today. Munro total now 148.