An Caisteal and Beinn a'Chroin 13 August 2010

13 Aug - a 24-hr trip to take advantage of the current fine weather (though cloud and a passing shower swept through at the start) and 2 of the 5 Crianlarich Munros completed in an enjoyable 6 hours. An initial climb up Sron Garbh led to the ridge of Twistin Hill, and a scramble up onto the summit of An Caisteal at a height of 3,264' and views south to Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps; west to Ben Cruachan and Ben Lui; and east to Ben Lawers and Perthshire. A rocky descent and re-ascent led to the second summit of the day, Beinn a'Chroin at 3,084', and good views especially of Ben More and Stob Binnean towering up to the north. Then down a long and boggy path alongside the River Falloch. Munro total=41.

The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda 24 July 2010

24 July - A short morning round of these 2 very accessible Munros from the Glenshee Ski car park, I made the top of the Cairnwell (3,061ft) in 34 minutes! then a short ridge walk across the Carn Aosda which just scrapes in as a Munro at 3,008ft. The views are of rounded Perthshire hills, cluttered by ski lifts etc, but pleasant enough in the fine weather. Munro total = 39.

Mam Sodhail and Carn Eige 23 July 2010

23 July - a sunny day and a 12 mile walk with over 3,000ft of ascent. A very scenic route along Glen Affric with its Caledonian Pine forest, then a gradual ascent of the Coire Leachavie to the ridge, and a gentle climb to the summit cairn of Mam Sodhail, the 13th highest Munro at 3,871 ft. An extensive view S to Ben Nevis, via Glen Shiel to Skye in the W, then NW to Torridon. Sgurr na Lapaich towered over Loch Mullardoch to the N. Then on across the shallow bealach to Carn Eige, the 11th highest Munro and a full 10ft higher at 3,881ft. A superb view in the early evening light back across Mam Sodhail to Loch Affric, and a long but enjoyable walk back to the car park in the low evening sun.

Munros in Spring 2010

30 June - the Scottish weather seems to be taking a decided turn for the worse with the change in the month - after what seems like weeks of fine dry weather, low pressure is now going to dominate, with a return to cloud and rain. I have been able to make several Scottish trips this spring and have managed 20 Munros - a decent total taking my overall tally to 35. The ascents have been really enjoyable and memorable, the climax being the dramatic and remote peaks of Knoydart last weekend, especially Ladhar Bheinn, my most wanted Munro. I hope the late summer and autumn will offer some more good weather.

Knoydart - Ladhar Bheinn 27 June 2010

27 June - some cloud and showers on day 2 of the Knoydart trip with Keith and Gayle, and at last a chance to climb Ladhar Bheinn, a long-standing ambition. We approached it from the SW side, so a grassy rather than craggy ascent, initially up into mist - as we approached the summit ridge and cairn the mist rolled away to reveal the dramatic Coire Dhorrcail cliffs on the Mam Barrisdale approach - a truly amazing view beyond to the rough bounds of Knoydart and Loch Quoich, round to Beinn Sgritheall and all the peaks to the north. An ambition realised to stand on the summit of Ladhar Bheinn at 3,346'! One or two showers on the way down but 13 miles and 8 hours in total. Fantastic!