Beinn Bheoil and Ben Alder 20 Oct 2019

A very good day, with a dusting of snow and at times awesome views. We headed first up the slopes of Beinn Bheoil by a very good path then steady slopes, and the cloud was brushing the summit on arrival at 3,343'. En route, my first Brocken Spectre! This is a person's own shadow in the mist, it only happens when the sun is shining through mist or fog. Slightly eerie. Then, an expansive walk down to the bealach below 2,600' and a steep but interesting and varied climb up onto the edge of the Ben Alder plateau and the exhilarating views coming and going, very extensive, of both the extensive summit area, and the wider expanses of the lonely country around this part of the central Highlands. The summit has a large cairn and shelter at 3,766'. Very satisfying to get this group of 6 remote Munros finally bagged, logistically they are fairly challenging. Overall, typical autumn weather, with some superb clear sunlit views at times in the clear seasonal light - and less precipitation than expected! Munros #242.

Beinn Eibhinn and Aonach Beag (Alder) 19 Oct 2019

The first day of a camping (!) trip with a Steven Fallon Group. We put our tents up by Culra bothy having cycled in the previous afternoon - rain overnight gave way to a chilly day with a N breeze and some shower cloud that fortunately mostly held off, and allowed intermittent views of the west/north section of the Ben Alder range. We ascended the initially steep unrelenting slopes of Carn Dearg, and then the bouldery slopes to its summit at 3.392'. There then followed a pleasant mainly high level walk, with an airy East Highland feel, across the extensive plateau to Geal Charn, 3,714'. We then progressed on to what would be the two new Munros for the day for me, which are fairly close together, and are seen very well from the earlier peaks - the shapely Aonach Beag and then via the (at times very windy) ridge to Beinn Eibhinn, respectively 3,655' and 3,609'. We had dramatic views especially in the later part of the day, as the clouds broke up and fragmented a little in the fairly strong wind, and more distant views encompassed Ben Lui and the Crianlarich peaks to the south, and to the west as far as Glenfinnan. An enjoyable, bracing day, unfortunately rounded off getting back to the tents and our attempts at hot food and keeping warm, serenaded by the roaring of Red Deer...... Munros #240.

Cuillin - Sgurr nan Eag, Sgurr Dubh Mor and Sgurr Alasdair 2 Sept 2019

I think this was the hardest day's Munroing that I have ever done. The weather was unrelentingly wet and windy. The rivers in Glen Brittle were in spate as a result of the ongoing Atlantic weather systems, and we had to take a long detour on order to be able to cross safely and ascend Coire a'Ghrunnda. The paths up to the southern end of the ridge had actually become streams in their own right such was the volume of water running off the mountains. It took about 4 hours to reach the first of the days Munros, the most southerly Cuillin, Sgurr nan Eag, 3.037' Then a detour out and back to Sgurr Dubh Mor at 3,097' followed by the ascent up to Sgurr Alasdair at 3,258' an interesting route involving a 4m rock chimney that I got up by sheer willpower more than anything! Unfortunately no views from this, the highest of the Cuillin, with its tiny (and slippery) summit and cairn. An extremely wet and long descent down the treacherous Great Stone Shoot, and then back to Glen Brittle campsiter. A very challenging day but 3 Munros bagged, only 3 Cuillin to go now! I want to do them in fine sunny weather and experience the views.... Munros #238.

Cuillin - Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and Sgurr na Banachdich 1 Sept 2019

Day two of the Cuillin saga, and the best weather day of the trip - some sun on the lower slopes (plus a very close Golden Eagle in Glen Brittle!) and the cloud lifted off the ridge and most of the Munros for part of the day, such that we could see the intimidating jagged nature of the whole thing, so incredibly rugged and challenging - on this second day we had the option of doing the hardest Cuillin Munro of them all, the Inn Pinn - I opted to leave this for another day, as although the wind had lessened on yesterday's conditions, the rock was still wet and the mist was swirling, and I found conditions challenging, especially the slippery basalt. So we did Sgurr Mhic Choinnich (3,110') and Sgurr na Banachdich at 3,166', and I bypassed the Pinn on Sgurr Dearg for another day. A longer day, but another 2 challenging peaks bagged with the use of ropes and short climbing / scrambling pitches where required...…. Munros #235.

Cuillin - Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh and Sgurr a’Mhadaidh 31 Aug 2019

I was quite nervous about the first day of my Cuillin trip, these Alpine-style mountains have always been a major impediment in my mind to a possible Munro completion. The weather was suitably oppressive, with cloud and rain, and the ridge wreathed in low cloud which persisted through the day. We headed up towards the central section of the ridge guided by the excellent Dave Buckett, and at an appropriate time after a steep ascent, we put on our harnesses and helmets and proceeded to climb/scramble up these 2 adjacent Munros that are usually climbed together. I found the whole Cuillin experience harder then I expected, and the summits and cairns are small and airy, although we were in mist so couldn't see the drops. These two Munros, at 3,192' and 3,012'were my first two of the trip, and this day was the shortest and retrospectively the easiest of the three. Munros #233.

Glas Tulaichean, Carn an Righ and Beinn Iutharn Mhor 7 June 2019

A brief ridge of high pressure, and the chance to climb a couple of East Highland peaks that I’ve wanted to conquer for a while. Starting from Dalmunzie Hotel on a cloudless morning, I headed up the Land Rover track that climbs up the shoulder of Glas Tulaichean, and almost reaches the summit at its highest point. From here it is a short climb to the trig point at 3,448’and extensive views to Beinn a’Ghlo and the Cairngorms. Descending west, stalkers paths lead up to the Bealach and then the steep slopes of Carn an Righ and the bouldery summit cairn at 3,376’. From here, a traverse around the slopes of Mam Nan Carn leads to the slopes of Beinn Iutharn Mhor and its plateau and cairn at 3,428’, the most north-westerly of the three so the best views to the Cairngorm giants and the Lairig Ghru. The cloud filled in during the day and the wind picked up, rain followed in the evening after I was down at the car again An enjoyable high-level traverse, typical space and big skies in the eastern Highlands rugged yet connected summits. Munros #231.

Maol Chean-dearg 24 May 2019

A cloudy breezy day to start with, but the cloud base lifted steadily and cleared the tops completely just after we started our descent. A walk up the glen to start with with the Coire Lair Munros to the east and Torridon to the west, both hidden in cloud, then a zigzag path up to the bealach and a fairly steep climb up scree slopes and boulders to the summit plateau at 3,061' just in the cloud - but we got a view of the main Torridon ridge as we descended, and the cloud lifted into blue sky for superb sunlit views of the dramatic ruggedness and sheer rockiness of the west Highlands. Munro #228.

A’ Ghlas-bheinn 23 May 2019

A cloudy and quite windy day, with the cloud down on the summits, but dry at least and the cloud lifted a little during the day, from 600m to about 750m. The route started at Morvich, and wended its way up the Glen through birch woods and up onto the open hill, as far as the Gates of Affric where the path steepened and ascended a couple of steep rocky sections, before traversing the bumps and undulations of the summit plateau, eventually leading to the cairn at the northern end at 3,012’. Dramatic views through the shifting cloud of both the summit cone and of the western end of Glen Affric. The weather was inclement enough to make the walk a bit bit of a challenge, without being dangerous, the path being obvious right to the summit itself. Munro #227.

Ben Hope 20 May 2019

The most northerly Munro. A showery day, but the cloud base lifted progressively during our ascent of this isolated Munro - the summit at 3,041’ was in cloud, but on the descent the cloud base had risen to 600m and we had extensive views of the landscape of the far north - rugged rock and lochans. Munro #226.

Am Faochagach 19 May 2019

Fairly cloudy and showery conditions but we were fortunate as the cloud lifted off the summit during our ascent, so we had some views, albeit cloud down on the Beinn Dearg group and on the Fannichs. A boggy ascent though less so than usual, due to the recent dry weather. The summit plateau enlivened by a group of 4 Dotterel. The cairn is at 3,130’, Munro #225.

Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a’Chaorachain 20 April 2019

More cloudy today with some drifting hill fog that tended to disperse as the day went on. A cycle in on a fairly rough and stony track, with the cloud down onto the summits. Then an interesting river crossing and an ascent in an anticlockwise direction, with the SW wind gusting and the ridge in cloud. The summit ridge was edged with a considerable cornice of snow, but as we reached the top of Sgurr Choinnich the mist shifted and fragmented allowing views down into the corrie between the two Munros, and across Loch Monar to the Strathfarrar peaks. The clearance lasted until we reached the second Munro, Sgurr a'Chaorachain, which being the higher was above the cloud, which was lapping in the glen below. A long but gradual descent took us down to the track and the bikes. Munros 224.

Lurg Mhor and Bidein a’Choire Sheasgaich 19 April 2019

I’d been looking forward to this big day, albeit with some trepidation. A 38km excursion, a cycle in along the hydro track east from Attadale, then a climb to the bealach between these 2 Munros. The feeling of remoteness accentuated by the silence and lack of human intrusion in the landscape. The sky was cloudless blue and the view stretched in all directions...... first we turned east from the col to Lurg Mhor with its airy summit at 3,235’ being a great viewpoint, right round from Strathfarrar and Glen Shiel to Torridon. Then back to the col and up again to Sheasgaich, a steady climb to an equally excellent viewpoint at 3,100’. the cycle and walk out seemed longer with the element of fatigue later in the day, A long walk to two remote Munros but more than worth it for the sense of achievement, together with the impressive nature, space and silence of the landscape. Munros 222.

The 2019 Season gets underway....... Moruisg 18 April 2019

An afternoon ascent direct from the A890 having arrived in Inverness at midday. Sunny weather with a refreshing southeast breeze. Very dry underfoot made this usually boggy ascent more pleasant combined with the absence of midges (it being early spring). A fairly steady but not unpleasant climb lead to the summit plateau, with a choice of cairns, both of which I visited! Good though slightly hazy views, from Torridon and An Teallach in the north, round to The north Glen Shiel ridge in the south. Up and down in less than 4 hrs. Munro 220.