Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin and Stob Coire Easain 21 Oct 2018

Better weather then forecast for our Steven Fallon trip. The overnight rain stopped as we arrived at Fersit. We set off up the path alongside Loch Treig, then headed up the boggy slopes and the steep climb to the ridge leading to our first Munro, Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin at 3,625'. The shifting but rising showery cloudbase gave dramatic but somewhat foreboding views across to the Grey Corries, and the sweeping arc to the shapely second Munro, Stob Coire Easain, 3,658'. Two summits and two views! Munro total now 217.

Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a'Chaorainn 18 Aug 2018

A day of increasingly good weather for these 2 southern Cairngorm Munros, a very scenic approach through the pinewoods of Glen Derry, then a good path up through the trees to the shoulder of Beinn Bhreac, then the east top at 3,054' with good views in the sun of yesterday's peak, the massive bulk of Beinn a'Bhuird. Then across the plateau to the higher summit of Beinn a'Chaorainn, very windy and a height of 3,550'and amazing views east across the Lairig to Macdui and Derry Cairngorm, with a tiny bothy down in the glen. A steep descent and more great views on the walkout made for a memorable day. Munros#215.

Beinn a'Bhuird 17 Aug 2018

A guided walk with the Mar Lodge estate and NTS staff, the cloud base down at about 900m so no views at the cold, windy, fogged plateau and cairn. 3,924' but no views! Worth returning to on a fine summer day as perfect tundra habitat for wildlife. Munro#213.

Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine 7 Aug 2018

A 12h day with Steven Fallon's group into the heart of the Cairngorms from Rothiemurchus. A long walk in, then arduous ascent up the very bouldery N slope of Cairn Toul, the 4th highest peak in Scotland and the UK, at 4,236'. Bright and increasingly sunny weather with expansive views across the massive peaks of the Cairngorms, from Cairngorm and Ben Macdui to Braeriach - with Lochnagar visible to the north, and Beinn a 'Ghlo to the south. Then a superb high-level ridge walk, round to the adjacent Munro of Angel's Peak, or in gaelic Sgor an Lochain Uaine, an airy viewpoint and 5th highest Munro at 4,127'. Then on to Braeriach, 4,252' and only topped by Macdui itself. As it happens, my 2nd ascent of Braeriach! Dramatic views across the Coire back to Cairn Toul, Angel's Peak and the lower peak of Devil's Point, which I will have to return to do separately (good to have an excuse to come back!). Great to have clear summits on these very high hills. Munro total 212, or 75% of the total now climbed.

Beinn a'Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich, 6 June 2018

Hot weather continuing for these 2 peaks next to Cruachan. Hard going with hardly any breeze, and I followed the wrong hydro path and did a needless diversion - so it was a hard pull up the pathless W ridge of Cochuill to the summit ridge and then the cairn itself at 3,215'. Good views across to Glen Etive, also S to Ben Lui. Then a drop to the Bealach and a good path to the summit of Eunaich, fractionally higher at 3.245'. Views all round and relentless sun (in western Scotland!) a steep drop down to the path and back to the start, Munros #210.

Meall Dearg (Aonach Eagach) 5 June 2018

Perfect weather for a last minute trip. A cloud sheet over Lomond meant that I headed further NW to do the only Glencoe Munro still on my pending list, Meall Dearg. An approach from the N side on Loch Leven meant a pleasant approach with increasingly dramatic views of Aonach Eagach, and spectacular views back towards Ben Nevis and the Mamores as I gained height. The summit at 3,127' gave views across the chasm of the glen to Bidean nam Bian, as well as a bird's eye view of Aonach Eagach itself - I've now done both the Munros, at either end of the ridge, without traversing the ridge itself. Munro#208.

Sgurr a Mhaoraich 14 May 2018

A fairly remote part of Scotland on Loch Quoich, and excellent stalkers paths, and views once again, for this excellent viewpoint being an isolated hill. Rocky near the summit (3,369') and I had to divert around. Couple of deep snow patches on the path, but a great panorama especially of Ladhar Bheinn down Loch Hourn, and Sgurr na Ciche across Glen Dessary. Up and down in 5h owing to the excellent access. A great trip, 5 summits all with views, and memories of the expanse of the western Highlands with snow-streaked ridges and northern corries accentuating the views. Munro total 207.