walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh

A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh


Postby foggieclimber » Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:19 pm

Munros included on this walk: Meall Ghaordaidh

Date walked: 17/01/2015

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 10.3 km

Ascent: 900m

3 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

The weather forecast for today looked pretty-good and the early morning view from Killin was likewise. Plan A was therefore invoked, an ascent of Meall Ghaordaidh. I last ascended Meall Ghaordaidh in 1997.

Early morning view from Killin Hotel:
Image

I only had to drive four miles to reach my starting point. It did however take fifteen minutes to drive this short distance as the Glen Lochay road had not been cleared of snow. It was -6C at the start of the walk, -4C at the end of the walk and much colder than this up top.

I parked in a lay-by just beyond the bridge at Duncroisk where there is room for four cars.

Lay-by parking in Glen Lochay, near Duncroisk:
Image

I ascended via the "tourist" route up Meall Ghaordaidh albeit most of the track was not visible due to a covering of snow.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

From the road to the summit involved breaking trail through mostly unconsolidated snow. Breaking trail on my own for 900m of ascent was hard work.

The views from the outset were fairly special. It was nice to see Beinn nan Oighreag again.

Looking towards Beinn nan Oighreag from start of track:
Image

Looking towards Beinn nan Oighreag:
Image

I followed the track alongside the Allt Dhuin Croisg as far as the shielings.

Sunrise:
Image

Ascending lower slopes of Meall Ghaordaidh:
Image

Looking back to Glen Lochay:
Image

On reaching the shielings, I left the track and made my way up the South-East ridge of Meall Ghaordaidh. I found no trace of any track beyond the shielings. I have read several reports advising that this is a boggy hill. It was not in the slightest bit boggy today.

Sheep and sheiling:
Image

The ascent through soft snow was fairly arduous. I just took my time and plodded on. As I gained height more and more hills come into view.

Looking towards Ben Challum (zoom):
Image

Mamlorn hills:
Image

Looking back to Glen Lochay:
Image

I stopped several times during the ascent to take photos and to have a wee rest.

Peace man:
Image

Beinn nan Oighreag:
Image

On reaching a height of 600m, I could hear lots of shouting coming from several hundred metres below. I could see two other walkers with a dog just below the shielings.

Summit of Meall Ghaordaidh capped in cloud:
Image

Looking West:
Image

By the time I reached 700m my legs were like jelly but I wasn't caring as the the weather and views were outstanding.

Ascending Meall Ghaordaidh (at c.750m):
Image

Stob Binnein and Ben More (zoom):
Image

Meall Ghaordaidh:
Image

Looking back:
Image

Breadalbane hills:
Image

On reaching 800m, I got the ice axe out as I had several steep sections ahead. Before proceeding on, I stopped to pick out a good line of ascent through the crags and avoiding what looked to be the deepest drifts.

A sculpted drift:
Image

Ascending Meall Ghaordaidh:
Image

View during ascent:
Image

Looking back during ascent:
Image

Lawers hills and Meall nan Tarmachan:
Image

There were numerous sections of rock-hard ice during the final couple of hundred metres ascent. I skirted round these sections, and cut a few steps, instead of bothering with crampons.

Ascending final rocky section of Meall Ghaordaidh:
Image

On reaching the flat summit area I was treated to 360 degrees of outstanding views.

Loch Lyon dam:
Image

Looking towards Ben Alder range:
Image

I took a good number of photos at the summit and uploaded the panorama to Facebook. I was even treated to a Brocken Spectre.

At the summit of Meall Ghaordaidh:
Image

View from the summit of Meall Ghaordaidh:
Image

View from the summit of Meall Ghaordaidh:
Image

Panorama from the summit of Meall Ghaordaidh:
Image

I didn't spend too long at the summit as I reckon it was about -12C up there. I returned via exactly the same route following my in-bound footprints.

During the descent I stopped to chat with the two walkers that I had seen some distance below. I was thanked numerous times for breaking trail.

Two other walkers ascending Meall Ghaordaidh during descent:
Image

Looking back to Meall Ghaordaidh during descent:
Image

I made good time during the descent which was much easier than the ascent.

Today is up there with some of the best winter walking I have undertaken. Meall Ghaordaidh may not be the most interesting of hills but it provides spectacular views. Definitely worth keeping this one for winter.
Last edited by foggieclimber on Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
foggieclimber
 
Posts: 1041
Joined: Aug 9, 2009

Re: A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh

Postby CharlesT » Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:13 pm

Terrific pics. You had a great day for it - very envious stuck here in the South. Had the same snow conditions when I climbed it last year but in the clag, so your pics make up for what I missed. Found route finding on the rocky top section quite tricky in the clag and was much relieved when the trig appeared.
User avatar
CharlesT
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 4502
Munros:156   Corbetts:2
Hewitts:262
Wainwrights:214   Islands:2
Joined: Dec 22, 2011
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh

Postby foggieclimber » Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:32 pm

Thanks Charles. I wouldn't have fancied doing the upper section in the clag.
foggieclimber
 
Posts: 1041
Joined: Aug 9, 2009

Re: A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh

Postby Beaner001 » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:48 am

Cracking day out there Foggie, last time I was up this one the snow line was much higher but I was hungover to the bejesus :sick: and friends literally dragged me outa my bed to do it. Best hangover cure I've ever had :lol:
User avatar
Beaner001
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 763
Munros:241   Corbetts:29
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:1   
Joined: Sep 17, 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire

Re: A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh

Postby Alteknacker » Sun Jan 18, 2015 1:09 am

As you say: weather and view outstanding! Fantastic. I'm sure I'm not the only person living 8 hours drive south of this that feels very envious...
User avatar
Alteknacker
Scrambler
 
Posts: 3473
Munros:176   Corbetts:33
Fionas:1   
Hewitts:264
Wainwrights:118   
Joined: May 25, 2013
Location: Effete South (of WIgan, anyway)

Re: A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh

Postby dooterbang » Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:05 am

Anyday on a hill in those conditions is fantastic :)

Some stunning views from the summit, well worth the 18 year wait :wink:
User avatar
dooterbang
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1828
Munros:262   Corbetts:58
Fionas:18   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:10   Hewitts:18
Wainwrights:21   Islands:19
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
Location: Isle of Skye from Feb 2019 (Originally Glasgow)

Re: A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh

Postby foggieclimber » Sun Jan 18, 2015 1:50 pm

dooterbang wrote:Anyday on a hill in those conditions is fantastic :)

Some stunning views from the summit, well worth the 18 year wait :wink:


Thanks Dooterbang. I have done a handful of hills in between ;)
foggieclimber
 
Posts: 1041
Joined: Aug 9, 2009

Re: A stunning day on Meall Ghaordaidh

Postby Collaciotach » Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:18 pm

I spent hours poking about Tirai (township) , I feel a empathy with Briagh Albainn country in general for some reason :? ..... the hill is underrated as well and I say that from a Summer perspective. :D

Superb photos and I sympathise with the jelly legs tis hard work in soft snow :clap:
User avatar
Collaciotach
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1896
Munros:282   Corbetts:219
Fionas:47   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:25   
Islands:28
Joined: Aug 8, 2011
Location: Gàidhealtachd an Iar

3 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: archierob, dogplodder and 91 guests