A few Corbetts more

[Benaden887]

A few Corbetts more 14/04/2001
Meall Horn and Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill 24.5km 1600m 10.5h.
The KMC are staying at Inchnadamp Caving club hut this w/e and I`ve unfinished business to tidy up. On the A808 just short of Achnafarry we turn onto a bridge and enter the Reay forest estate, park, eat, then gear up. I`m with Rachel for a venture into Corbett country. Last time here was for the “upside down mountain ” Arkle and Foinaven, missing out Meall Horn thro injury. Not keen on big hikes says Rachel as we leave the car, Jist tell me when, I reply. A good L/R track leads past the keepers cottage to a disused steading at Lone. The grey mass of Arkle looms ahead as we cross a bridge and come to a path junction, one heading NNE the other E. We hunker round as I pull out the map, outline our route and show escapes if needy. Pass thro the twin stone blocks granting access to a grouping of trees to then pick up the pace. The day is bright and clear as we climb the zigzags, heading NNE on a good path, aside the Allt Horn. The sides of the glen steepen and close in before opening out again around the 400m, mark. We make good time as Meall Horn comes into view. Our path climbs to Bealach Horn @520m before dropping into Glen Golly, but not needing to go that far, we cut direct for a col atween the two Horn tops. Easier going now over grass and flat stones to a well stacked round cairn of Meall Horn at the magic 777m. A break here and lookabout. Yonder lies Ben Stack, sits as though nestling on a loch Stack below. The grey white crags of Arkle with its corries beyond. Great view of Foinaven, Lord Reays Seat (ouch), Cranstakie and Ben Hope, While below a multitude of shining lochans. Awesome. Ahead somewhat lies Mcdougle so its time to move. Leave a rugged Glen Golly behind as we walk a curve and on reaching Sabhal Mor @ 703m Rachel says shes had enough. Being Corrie Granda looks rough, we drop SE into the glen atween Mor and Beag. Something I would regret in later years having to do the Graham in foul weather. Still, follow the burn to below Bealach na Feithe to meet the E bound track and a downhill return to Lone…Pass over the car keys then mapchk, where we are, to where I`ll hopefully be. A wee hug then part company. Head for the crags on Meall Garbh, scrappy going to reach a grassy terrace and a easy walk to Meall Garbh @754m. I`m above Coire loch and its crags are quite impressive. Deer at the waters edge eye my presence yet continue to drink. The loch has lost its sheen being the sun`s moved on and as I meander around the coire rim it becomes a dark black loch. A steep drop of 100m is followed by a lesser climb for the stone ringed shelter and trig point of Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill @ 801m. Smaller lochans on this side, so take a break. Chew on a mars bar and mapchk. Views here of Ben Stack, Beinn Leoid and the Assynt hills beyond. South lies Ben Hee and the lochs of Merkland and Shin. Some place. Shoulder the sac then down 300m following the Allt an Reindh, cross a flat boggy area and then the burn. Here a stalkers path led down to Loch More and small farm of Aultanrynie. Quiet down here, peaceful too. This is how you recharge the body and mind for another day. Birds chuntering away wi a pair o grebes out on the loch. A small well kept graveyard here wi a planting of trees. The 2k walkout seems a while and there`s Rachel. I pretend to check the car for damage until she threatens to throw the carkeys in the loch. All said a decent walk on a good day with grand company.