Munros Two Hundred and Four to Two Hundred and Five
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 6:14 pmWednesday, 2nd. June, 2021:
After three sun-scorched days out camping high and carrying big bags, Alex, Steve, Tommy and I had enjoyed some enthusiastic celebrations in the back bar of the Clachaig on the Tuesday evening - so things started relatively slowly today. The other three opted to do the Aonach Eagach but my eyes were elsewhere so I gave them a lift to the ridge's eastern end and, without having set any plans in stone, I headed off towards Beinn a' Bheithir.
I only had an old one inch tourist map in my bag but managed to park somewhere around the right place in Ballachulich and headed up the School House Ridge. Despite a hot sun, I made the summit of Sgòrr Dhearg with only one brief stop for water (so getting fitter) but, despite the large flying beetles which landed on my clothing every time the breeze dropped, I lingered for a long time as the view was spectacular. Two other guys then appeared and we had a chat while wandering up Sgòrr Dhònuill. One of them - Bob - had decided to do the full horseshoe and, with no specific descent plan in mind, I decided to join him. This was an excellent call as the long, western / northern ridge of the second peak gave an intricate, untravelled descent route featuring innumerable lochans between steep-sided knobbles and absolutely stunning views; the vista to the east north east up Loch Leven was magical. And, as a bonus, Bob and I were even able to replenish our water bottles at one point.
The penalties came in a trying descent through the inaccurately mapped forest to South Ballachulish, having to request permission from an obliging lady to reach the road through her back garden and a three kilometre stretch along the national cycle route to our cars but there were both some wonderful bluebells and a couple of beers in the Laroch Bar next to Ballachulish's Shinty Club for compensation. Bob and I had had a good day out on the hill! Next Report: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=105595.
After three sun-scorched days out camping high and carrying big bags, Alex, Steve, Tommy and I had enjoyed some enthusiastic celebrations in the back bar of the Clachaig on the Tuesday evening - so things started relatively slowly today. The other three opted to do the Aonach Eagach but my eyes were elsewhere so I gave them a lift to the ridge's eastern end and, without having set any plans in stone, I headed off towards Beinn a' Bheithir.
I only had an old one inch tourist map in my bag but managed to park somewhere around the right place in Ballachulich and headed up the School House Ridge. Despite a hot sun, I made the summit of Sgòrr Dhearg with only one brief stop for water (so getting fitter) but, despite the large flying beetles which landed on my clothing every time the breeze dropped, I lingered for a long time as the view was spectacular. Two other guys then appeared and we had a chat while wandering up Sgòrr Dhònuill. One of them - Bob - had decided to do the full horseshoe and, with no specific descent plan in mind, I decided to join him. This was an excellent call as the long, western / northern ridge of the second peak gave an intricate, untravelled descent route featuring innumerable lochans between steep-sided knobbles and absolutely stunning views; the vista to the east north east up Loch Leven was magical. And, as a bonus, Bob and I were even able to replenish our water bottles at one point.
The penalties came in a trying descent through the inaccurately mapped forest to South Ballachulish, having to request permission from an obliging lady to reach the road through her back garden and a three kilometre stretch along the national cycle route to our cars but there were both some wonderful bluebells and a couple of beers in the Laroch Bar next to Ballachulish's Shinty Club for compensation. Bob and I had had a good day out on the hill! Next Report: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=105595.