A race against daylight.

[Chumpster]

The clocks had gone back this weekend and this was going to be a long walk (by my standards), so I was going to have to keep a steady pace to make it back to the car park before the sun set ( at 1645). Also, there was still going to be a fair amount of hillfog around, so I knew this walk was going to be a challenge. My main objective would need to be to bag the two munros; anything else (photos, fun, lunch etc..) would be a bonus.

I set off at 0715. Considering what I have just said, that was a bit late! The long climb up to the plateau was pleasant enough on a good path with good views to the West and Glen Feshie. But as predicted the top was in fairly thick hillfog so a bit of navigation was required as far as Tom Dubh. The path and landrover track were easy enough to follow, but there was no path that I could see from the burn Allt Sgairnich to Tom Dubh. To the East of Tom Dubh the fog/cloud ended and presented the obstacle of the burn Allt Luinneag. Due to plenty of recent rain this was fairly swollen and I could not find an 'easy' place to cross! I considered taking my boots and socks off and wading across, but it seemed too much of a faff so I just went for it. On reflection that was pretty reckless as I still had pleanty of distance to do, and wet socks would have been miserable. However, my boots and gaiters did their job (just) but my trousers were soaked (but at least would dry).

Monadh Mor

Now to bag the munroes. The climb to Monadh Mor was fairly good going and the munroe itself is nothing special to look at. However, the views to the East were fantastic, particularly of the Devils Point towering above the Larig Ghrue. But no time for views. By my estimation I had 1 hour to press on and bag Beinn Bhrotain and get back to Monadh Mor if I was going to get to the car before it went dark. No chance, but I pressed on anyway! I really enjoyed the walk past Leac Ghorm and the steep climb up Beinn Bhrotain. Even the steep boulder field to the sumit was fun, mainly because of the great views and sense of remoteness. But at on reaching the top I was well and truely behind time, and pretty tired. So I took a welcome rest in the little shelter cairn built around the trig point and had some lunch. As the cloud cleared from the sumit and the wind dropped right off, the views to the south over Deeside were stunning and I experienced that pure absolute silence that is so hard to find these days.

The Devils point

Me at Beinn Bhrotain

But enough of that. I had a lot of time to make up. It had taken me 5hrs to get up here, and I only had 4 hours to get back. Could I make it? I made it off the munroes quickly enough, and blasted back though the swollen burn with only a dampening of the socks. But the hillfog around Tom Dubh slowed me down some and I had a bit of difficulty finding the start of the landrover track in the fog. But with some slow and carefull navigation I was soon back on course for the long and tiring decent to Glen feshie. I made it just as it was getting dark, back at the car at 1645. Pretty tired, but pleased with myself.

I stretched myself today and there are things I would have done diffently; like starting earlier and the crossing of the burn. I found the walk to and from the munroes hard work, but well worth it for the two sumits.

[sloosh]

Well done. Quite a walk with the short days, especially as you decided to have a long lie. Don't know if I would have risked crossing that burn with boots on but saying that, I tend to have the same approach -- 'a stuff it, it'll be fine.'

[benno]

That burn was a bit complicated when I was there in September too: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1818

I know what you mean about that sense of peace and remoteness on Bhrotain - it's a beautifully airy perch with views all across the surrounding land, and I especially like that you're looking DOWN on the Devil's Point rather than across at it.

Cheers for the report eh.

[monty]

Well done Chumpster,
A nice report on a long walk. I would and have taken my boots of to cross a river. Nothing worse than wet feet Thats a great view over devils point though a bit claggy.

25kms is my longest trip so far so you have started the long walks early in your munro bagging Good effort

[Paul Webster]

Nice report - I took my boots off there but Helen ploughed straight through like you