Ciste Dhubh 30 May 2014

A superb fine day to complete the north Glen Shiel Munros, a steep climb up the ridge of Am Bathach ( a Corbett) leading on to the ridge proper - after dropping 600 feet to a bealach, the at times narrow and fairly exposed ridge of Ciste Dhubh begins - leading to the small summit at 3.222ft, with superb views today to the Sisters and Brothers of Kintail, also south past the South Glen Shiel ridge towards The Quoich Hills - Ladhar Bheinn - Skye with the Cuillin in mist - and north past Beinn Fhada. And I only met 2 people in total! Munro no 131.....and my swollen ankle appeared no worse for the experience.....Glen Shiel now completed, apart from The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine.....so 1 more day needed......

Gulvain 9 Mar 2014

A cloudy but mostly dry day after a wet start - while the rest of the UK basked in spring sunshine, Jen invited Matt and I, under the expert guidance of Keith, to celebrate her 50th birthday with a winter walk. This was my first Munro in winter conditions, and I found it quite challenging, and I slowed up the rest of the group a little especially with my ill-fitting crampons......but after the steep slog up the SE slopes of Gulvain, we reached the elegant summit ridge, stretchy from the south top to the true summit at 3,238', where the cairn was completely buried under deep snow. Stunning views under a high cloud base from Glenfinnan in the west, across to the Nevis range in the east, still shrouded in cloud. A soaring Golden Eagle enlivened both the walk in and the descent down the Glen towards Loch Eil. Munro number 130 and a good way to kick off the 2014 season.

Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh 12 Oct 2013

Perfect West Highland weather when the rest of the UK under cloud......a steep ascent from the roadside led to the Cruachan power station dam, then a climb up a long gully ended on the ridge below the summit of Ben Cruachan, reached by bouldery slopes to a small summit (3,694') perched high above Glen Etive to the N, and Loch Awe to the S. Stunning cloudless sunny weather, and stunning views in all directions - Ben Lui and the Crianlarich hills to the E, the snowy Cairngorms very distantly to e NE, and Ben Nevis and the Mamores to the NW. The islands of Mull and Jura were out in the calm Atlantic to the W. An amazing panorama. The ridge from the summit led on to a top then the second Munro of the day,Stob Diamh at 3,274', with dramatic views back to the pointed summit of Ben Cruachan. Quite a few people were out on the hill in the fine weather, and the atmosphere was completed by roaring stags down in the glen. Munro count now 129.

Carn Ghluasaid, Sgurr nan Conbhairean and Sail Chaorainn 20 Sept 2013

An enjoyable walk in very mixed weather conditions at the eastern end of Glen Shiel, firstly up the good stalkers path to the summit of Carn Ghluasaid, a stony plateau at 3,140', with good views north to Glen Affric. Then on around the corrie lip to the highest of the 3, Sgurr nan Conbhairean (3,642') which was in and out of cloud, and was my fellow Munroist Jennifer's 100th Munro! We had views of yesterday's 3 peaks, the Brothers, as well as the S ridge and snow on the high Affric peaks. A pleasant onward col led us to our last of the day, Sail Chaorainn at 3,287', with good views of the wild expanse of Kintail in all directions in shifting mist. I've climbed Carn Ghluasaid before, so Munro total now 125.