Extra ascent necessary for the WOW! Glenfinnan scenery

[Petr Dakota]

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Finally weekend off work and I was happy and looking forward to spend one of the two days in the mountains. Originally planned saturday, but we arranged some medical things about our daughter Cheyenne as she had some stomach problem... fortunately she improved afternoon so I started preparation for my sunday`s trip. Checked the weather forecast again - not really good, but not so bad. Thinking between Black Mount, Glen Shiel and Loch Lochy I decided for something different: Glenfinnan !
Two Munros in the great beautiful area sounded good for me, but looking at the route by easy, quick but long walk on tarmac via the valley, I guessed that I will miss the view of Loch Shiel with the viaduct. I was there behind the viaduct ( very close to the viaduct only ) some times before - just made some photos of the viaduct and the valley, once also lucky recorded video with the "Harry Potter" steam train on the viaduct after waiting there for the time-table time of the train going from Fort William to Malaig.
Video: The Jacobite Steam Train on Glenfinnan Viaduct:

Now I felt the good opportunity to discover the area behind more deeply I have found that there is nice Corbet called Streap, but the route to the Corbet is different and the start and finish distanced from Glenfinnan viaduct. I decided that I will try climb straight up from Glenfinnan and connect the route on top near the Streap after overcoming some more tops there, then descend near the river Finnan and connect the usual route to the two Munros or find some way to connection...Decision made, I was very looking forward to do it...
I woke up at 02:00 am and after some necessaries I started towards Nort-West. Outside temperature was between 0 and +3 degrees, wet condition. Then around Bridge of Orchy snowing... all the time up to Glencoe. There was snow even on the road in the early morning time...After Glencoe the road was just wet and I got safely to Glenfinnan. There you can park your vehicle in small carpark behind the bridge ( behind the Visitor Centre on the road to the viaduct ), without any parking fee or you can chose the Visitor Centre car park and pay the fee of £2. I decided the Visitor Centre after checking the pay machine - who is getting the money... John Muir Trust is good for me to contribute I am usually not looking for to spend money for parking if not necessary, but in this case I am happy to support The same way for me if climbing Ben Nevis - always some voluntary contribution to the collecting box shortly after start...happy to support good things for improvement, repairs and maintenance in the nature - mountains.
I parked my car there and started the walk at 06:48 am. Nobody else there in the time on sunday

Started from Visitor Centre car park with the view of Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel...looking at the sky...what can I expect from the weather ? Anything ! ...and ready for anything

I enjoyed the easy walk on tarmac very shortly on beginning only, my plan was to turn right behind the viaduct, leave the path there, try continue through the boggy grass withouth any trail and then straight up in the steepy hill...disappear in the mist & clouds

The grassy-boggy part was not worse than I expected so I was determined to continue my plan...looking back on the Glenfinnan viaduct

Near to the first serious ascent. The top is not visible ( it was maybe good - otherwise I could change mind about this way )...just a little worried about my planned views from there in the mist...

Ascending hard and breathing hard...in hope that the view from higher level will reward me for the effort. There is the tarmac road on the bottom and I guess that the walk there would be a little bit differet story

Looking ahead, snowy ground now. Wet soft snow and boggy grass, but the sky looks promising, getting clear sometime...

Hey Raven ! Thanks for your company here, I also appreciate your patience to fly there around 4 times until I got the right shot. Big thanks to the willing actor - Raven. I was really happy for the nice bonus !

Almost on the top and happy for the blue sky...despite the clouds. Note: see the Raven flying on the top now - very distanced

Looking back to Glenfinnan again...and feeling that the effort was rewarded. Remembered the easy tarmac road now again...could I see this from the bottom ?

Some descent and ascent then ahead on the walk on top to the Streap. Sgurr nan Coireachan and the ridge from Sgurr Thuilm in the background

Towards West ( and the tarmac road in the bottom )

Looking back to the recent descent - it looks more difficult than it really was

Higher...overcomed all behind. Loch Shiel still visible

Another ascent ahead on the way to Streap. Streap visible ahead now, Sgurr Thuilm in the distance on the left ( but big descent and ascent between )

Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm connected by the ridge opposite...clear view again

Weather changed, no visibility, strong wind and sharp hailstones on the Streap

...prepared for any weather changes

Descending from Streap and looking at the ascent to the Sgurr Thuilm opposite. In the bad visibility before I was not sure about the terrain there and decided to return back a little and then try this steepy but safer slope

Ascending the Sgurr Thuilm and looking back to the Glen

Can`t believe I descended this short time ago ! It just looks worse than it was...

Snowy again in the higher level...and the weather is changing again...getting misty and windy

The summit of Sgurr Thuilm in better visibility now again

Clear view again on the walk back down. Unfortunately not time to continue via the ridge and get also the 2nd Munro Sgurr nan Coireachan

This is what I am missing now and what I left for next...

Watching the time after the Sgurr Thuilm summit it was a dilemma if continue the ridge and do also the Sgurr nan Coireachan as I originally wanted or use the shortest way back to the car park, because here I got a news that my start time at work is changed from 06:00 am to 02:00 am and by the reason I need get home as soon as possible to get ready for the early morning start. It was hard decision to leave the 2nd Munro for next as I want always finish what i am doing, but counting the miles back to the carpark, then 3 hours driving home...the responsibility won. A little bit sad that I did not finish the 2nd Munro, but thinking positively about and happy that I got the views used the extra ascent on the beginning...lost one Munro, but got one Corbet instead and the view and the great hard walk there made me happy and satisfied. Maybe just some little inside body battle - as my eyes and heart was enjoyed the great day, but my legs and knees felt probably something different about the easy tarmac road
Another positive impulse for me - the sadness about the one undone Munro means that i will come again to the great beautiful area !!! - not sure about the extra ascent !

P.S. the cca 6km long easy walk on the tarmac road was really quick - the same distance climbing up from Glenfinnan was @ 3.5 x slower

[Happyfeet]

Loved the way you got the railway bridge in the summit shot too. And nice of Mr Raven to assist
Looks like great snow goggles from Tresspass?!
Absolutely stunning up there......sigh....you are living it Petr

[Petr Dakota]

Some more photos:

[Petr Dakota]

Loved the way you got the railway bridge in the summit shot too. And nice of Mr Raven to assist
Looks like great snow goggles from Tresspass?!
Absolutely stunning up there......sigh....you are living it Petr

Thank you Emmelie Mr. Raven did great work there
Yes, snow googgles, which I am using for my hillwalking in the bad weather condition, great protection against hailstones, sharp icy hails, strong wind or just heavy snowing...

[Petr Dakota]

I made some shots of some great places on the way back home as the weather was much better later afternoon-evening:

Beinn a' Bheithir ( Sgorr Dhearg & Sgorr Dhonuill )

Stob Dearg ( Buachaille Etive Mor )

Rannoch Moor

...and the Rainbow - near Crianlarich

[rockhopper]

Looked quite a challenge at times, Petr - was wondering whether in better conditions/weather it would be possible to head northerly down from Streap and save retracing part of the route - cheers

[Petr Dakota]

Looked quite a challenge at times, Petr - was wondering whether in better conditions/weather it would be possible to head northerly down from Streap and save retracing part of the route - cheers

Thanks it was one of an options, but in the time of condition there decision made for short and sure-safe return... then the weather changed again - visibility clear, but from the curent point at the time it was shorter way just descending.

[SAVAGEALICE]

Wow. Some stunning photos there. I too need to return to this stunning area to do Sgurr nan Coireachan as I only managed Sgurr Thuilm last time. Still looks pretty snowy there. I wonder if there has been any thaw since then?

[Petr Dakota]

Wow. Some stunning photos there. I too need to return to this stunning area to do Sgurr nan Coireachan as I only managed Sgurr Thuilm last time. Still looks pretty snowy there. I wonder if there has been any thaw since then?

Thank you I wish you successful return to the enjoyable beautiful area I will go back there probably some day in summer or autumn to see it in different colours and make some different pics to the collection
The snow was melted between the time I think, some snow still on tops only, but soft...on the day of my trip it was also some fresh snow as it was snowing very early morning.
Have good and safe time in your mountains trips

[PerthAlly]

Once more a cracking report from you Petr

Never been walking up Glenfinnan . Driven by a few times.

Sunday forecast looks good so I'll dig out an OS map and decide where I'm headed.

[Petr Dakota]

Once more a cracking report from you Petr

Never been walking up Glenfinnan . Driven by a few times.

Sunday forecast looks good so I'll dig out an OS map and decide where I'm headed.

Thank you Ally The forecast ahead looks really good I will be working over weekend...but I wish you good choice and great day out