Sgor Gaoith and Mullach Clach a Bhlair 1 July 2017

A sunny morning in the Cairngorms and an early start for Glen Feshie - a good stalking path up to Carn Ban Mhor, then on to Sgor Gaoith, a distinctive pointed peak (3,668') with wonderful views across to Braeriach and the massif of the Cairngorms. Superb high level walking for another 3m north, again on excellent paths with expansive views, took me to Mullach Clach a'Bhlair and the second of the day's two Munros, slightly lower at 3,343'. The walk down led to a riverside path through a beautiful woodland of Caledonian pines and alongside the River Feshie, a very enjoyable 3 miles in the afternoon sun. Munro total now 199.

Ben Challum 19 May 2017

An easier day after the previous exertions of the week, 5h up and down Ben Challum, surprisingly enjoyable, initially a steep ascent then more rocky towards the summit with its 2 tops, the N being the Munro. A nice variety of scenery and good views in all directions - S to Crianlarich hills and the Arrochar Alps, N to Ben Nevis and Glencoe, and E to Schiehallion. A fitting finale to my trip. Munro total 197.

Sgurr na Ciche, Garbh Chioch Mhor, Sgurr nan Coireachan 18 May 2017

A day long anticipated, the remote Glen Dessary munros, in the end a 10.5h day, 26 km, and 1700m of ascent. A showery day with shifting mist, shafts of sunlight and dramatic views interspersed with cloud. A 6k walk up boggy Glen Dessary led to the rocky ascent and scramble up to the summit of my most-wanted Munro, Sgurr na Ciche at 3,415'. Intermittent views west to Loch Nevis, north towards Glen Shiel and Knoydart. I've always admired this mountain with it's conical elegant shape when seen from the east, and its remoteness and romantic name combine to give it an air of mystery. I real sense of achievement to stand on its surprisingly capacious summit! Then back to the bealach and up the neighbouring peak of Garbh Chioch Mhor 3,323' following the wall which was constructed along this crest over 100y ago. Views continued to be dramatic but intermittent. The ridge led on with a fine path and high level walk, to the third Munro of the day, Sgurr nan Coireachan , which had a considerable pull onto the summit from the intervening drop, despite being the lowest of the 3 at 3,127'. A long descent and walk out followed, but a satisfying day. Munros 196.

Grey Corries - Sgurr Choinnich Mor, Stob Coire an Laoigh 17 May 2017

A bright but potentially showery day, for tackling 2 of the Grey Corries. A fairly steep pull up the NW ridge led to the ridge, with expansive views N and S along the ridge, and views to the Aonachs still streaked with snow, S to Glencoe and NW to Glenfinnan. The first summit Stob Coire an Laoigh is an airy perch with a cairn at 3,658', and we then moved south along the ridge with the steep ascent onto Sgurr Choinnich Mor, a pointed mountain at 3,592'. We then dropped back down towards the glen at Spean Bridge. All in all a fine ridge walk with excellent views and good but rocky paths. Munro total 193. 2 more Grey Corries to do on another day.

Sgurr Mor (Glen Dessary) 15 April 2017

A remote Munro and a fairly arduous day - we approached from the south, via Glen Dessary and Glen Kingie, with dramatic cloudscapes and a sprinkling of snow on the higher peaks in the cold showery NW airstream. The terrain was predominantly peaty and boggy on the approach as far as the final pull up onto the ridge, which had a fine path but some rest snow. Some impressive views especially S to Streap and W to the Ciche rangs and Knoydart. The cairn at 3,291' was in cloud, but a remote and rugged area deserving of a lot of respect. Munro#191.

Carn Mor Dearg 14 April 2017

A good start to the year with the 8th-highest Munro, in the company of Keith, Matt and Jen. The cloud base at about 8-900m, but fewer showers than forecast, and some sun. The showers had resulted in fresh snowfall above 1000m which made the walk more interesting without being dangerous...... nice views of the north face of the Ben, and towards Loch Linnhe. The summit being at 4,012', one of the select group of four-thousanders. 6h in total. Munro #190.

Mount Keen 1 Oct 2016

Our booked trip this last week was thwarted by the weather, with Jen and Matt returning home defeated midweek. An improvement in conditions gave me the opportunity to use my booked flight at the weekend, so I headed for the outlying eastern-most Munro, Mount Keen in the SE Cairngorms, approached from the east coast. A scenic drive up Glen Esk lead to the parking area and I headed up the broad track towards Queen's Well, then on up the shoulder of the heathery mountain with improving views back down Glen Esk, and west to Lochnagar. The weather was showery and the cloud rolled in before I reached the summit, with the jumble of rocks at the cairn at 3,081' appearing rather eerie in the mist. The return walk was enlivened by several very confiding Red Grouse. Munro no 189.