Meall nan Eagan

[foggieclimber]

Hill: Meall nan Eagan
Date: Saturday 19th March 2011
Company: Myself and Beinn
Time: 2Hrs 55Mins
Dog friendly: Yes

I set off from home this morning to ascend Meall nan Eagan near Dalwhinnie.

I think this morning was the first time the increasing cost of fuel really hit home in that I put in £90 of diesel and the tank was still just below full . This got me thinking en-route to the hill about getting to the hills in the future - I think I am going to stop driving long distances for day walks. Getting several days walking per trip will be one of my aims. I also hope to start attending more Club walks using organised transport (starting tomorrow) and do more car-sharing with friends.

Thankfully, Meall nan Eagan wasn’t too far from home. I arrived at the starting point approximately 1Hr 45Mins after setting off.

Route:

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

I parked at the entrance to the quarry opposite the start of the Right of Way to Feagour (room for one or two cars).

I then walked along the tarmac track towards Allt an t-Sluic lodge.

Looking towards The Fara from the start of the Right of Way to Feagour:


On reaching the lodge, I took the low track to skirt round it.

Approaching Allt an t-Sluic Lodge:


I walked as far as a 4x4 turning area and then at the marker post, ascended onto a higher track.

I took a photo of a bird here and had to ID it at home – Snow Bunting.

Snow bunting:


Marker post advising to ascend here to reach the upper track:


I then followed the upper track for several hundred metres until it descended back down to the Allt an t-Sluic.

Looking along the Allt an t-Sluic:


Beinn:


I continued to follow the track alongside the Allt an t-Sluic, crossing the burn several times along the way.

View towards Creag nan Adhaircean, 589m top and Meall nan Eagan:


Beinn having fun in the snow:


View towards Creag nan Adhaircean, 589m top and Meall nan Eagan:


I left the track to reach the col between Carn na Ceardaich and Meall nan Eagan.

On reaching the col, I spotted a large number of deer.

Deer:


Meall nan Eagan:


Large herd of deer:


Deer in front of Creag Doire na h-Achlaise:


The start of the wide ridge onto Meall nan Eagan has quite a number of large glacial erratics on it.

Creag Doire na h-Achlaise and Loch Caoldair:


The ascent was quite straight-forward – just a walk.

Ascending Meall nan Eagan:


Beinn catching up with me:


As I went along I was quite content – nice walk, nice views, lots of deer, …

Looking back along Allt an t-Sluic from Meall nan Eagan:


View North:


The final ascent was a bit steeper but again not difficult.

Final ascent of Meall nan Eagan:


I was pleased to get good views across to Dirc Mhor from the summit.

Looking towards Dirc Mhor from summit of Meall nan Eagan:


Dirc Mhor (zoomed):


After giving Beinn some food at the summit, we returned to the car via the same route.

On the way back Beinn was quite content to use the burn as a path!

Beinn in a burn (again):


Beinn was quite stubborn today refusing to come out of the water! Daft Mutt

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5jVj5HJMjQ[/youtube]

Really enjoyable sub three-hour walk .

[rockhopper]

Nice detailed report foggie - looks like you had a great day.

Dirc Mhor looks almost menacing in the picture.....and I wonder what Beinn was looking for in the water - he must have been freezing.

Know what you mean about the cost of diesel - thinking similarly, I've been looking at possibly camping over occasionally to cut not only travel costs but also time. I can never seem to find a walking club with plans to fit.

[Graeme D]

Nice one foggie.

[2dalmatians]

Looks like you had a good day out there Foggie. I know what you mean about the fuel costs. I had a work trip from Edinburgh - Aberdeen - Glasgow last week and was over £90 in fuel. Looks like Beinn was having a fun time too - great name for a walkers dog!!

[ChrisW]

Great report and pics foggie, but the video of Beinn at the end there is priceless, reminiscent of the famous "one word from me and he does as he likes" statement. and this pic is as happy as I've ever seen a dog, anywhere - anytime.

[Paul Webster]

Good report foggie - I didn't even know that hill was there