Friday, 18 June 2010

Beinn a'Bheithir (Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill) 18 June 2010















18 June - A clear sunny day and a strenuous walk over the Beinn a'Bheithir ridge from Ballachulish. A steep pull up the heathery slopes from the village, then up the ridge of Sgorr Bhan. The 2 Munros lie along a curved ridge, firstly Sgorr Dhearg at 3,360', then down to the bealach and up steepening slopes to the summit of Sgorr Dhonuill at 3,284'. Both excellent viewpoints across to the Inner Hebrides,and the panorama round the southern highlands from Perthshire to Glencoe and Ben Nevis, the Grey Corries and the Mamores. The route down follows a new path through the forestry plantations back to the A82.

Thursday, 10 June 2010

Ben More and Stob Binnein 10 June 2010












10 June - another fantastic spring day of weather, blue skies, and 2 linked Munros, first a steep climb up the west side of Ben More to the summit ridge, and the cairn at 3,852' with an amazing view in all directions - all the West Highland peaks, from Ben Cruachan and Glencoe round to Ben Nevis and the Cairngorms to Ben Lawers and the Perthshire peaks. Stob Binnean (3,822') is reached by a descent to a bealach and re-ascent of almost 1000ft, with similar panoramic views. A descent down alongside the river back to the road.

Friday, 4 June 2010

Munro count 2010 so far....

4 June - 2 short Scottish trips in the last couple of weeks have yielded 6 walking days, all with clear weather, and a total of 12 Munros climbed - taking my total to 27. All really enjoyable in different ways - the first trip in cold, clear weather, still with significant lying snow patches, and excellent distant views. The second trip much warmer and more hazy, less snow and easier high walking conditions, and 2 Munros each day, the West Fannichs being the most challenging with the long walk in - a real sense of the space and silence of the wilderness of the Northwest.

Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh and Stob Coire Raineach 4 June 2010











4 June - another fine day for the 2 Munros on Buachille Etive Beag, and a steep path starting near the car park led to the bealach, then the first summit, Stob Coire Raineach (3,034'). A ridge led to the second Munro, Stob Dubh (3,143'), with excellent views across to Bidean nam Bian, and Ben Nevis and the Mamores behind the Aonach Eagach ridge. Also views of Buachaille Etive Mor, and Glen Etive. The car-car time was exactly 4 hours.

Thursday, 3 June 2010

West Fannichs - Sgurr Breac and A'Chailleach 3 June 2010














3 June - A fantastic days weather in the Northwest, a remote walk south from the A832 to the 2 Munros of the West Fannichs. A long walk in along the glen, then up the steep eastern slopes of Sgurr Breac to the summit (3,281') and an amazing view - from Glen Shiel to Torridon, Fisherfield wilderness, An Teallach, round to Suilven in the north. Then along the ridge to the second Munro, A'Chailleach (3,277') and even better views west. A long walk off following the streams down to the loch. An excellent day.

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Creag a'Mhaim and Druim Shionnach (Glen Shiel Ridge) 2 June 2010











2 June -an afternoon ascent up onto the South Glen Shiel ridge, starting by the Cluanie Inn, and taking in the easternmost 2 Munros. A steep pull up the heathery flanks of Creag a'Mhaim (3,107'), then a pleasant ridge walk west to Druim Shionnach (3,238'). Dramatic views west down Glen Shiel, and south towards the Loch Quoich hills.