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Glen Dochart - Not to be repeated

Glen Dochart - Not to be repeated


Postby Fife Flyer » Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:16 pm

Munros included on this walk: Meall Glas, Sgiath Chùil

Date walked: 29/08/2021

Time taken: 7.5 hours

Distance: 17.1 km

Ascent: 1300m

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This outing followed hot on the heels of our trip west, we couldn't let our colleague Martin climb two days on his own. Martin had done a wee bit of homework and invited us to tackle these two as he knew I still had to visit them second time around. One thing for sure I take my hat off to Parminder for joining us as they were repeats for him.
I did these two over 20 years ago and remember absolutely nothing about them and once we got back to the car I could see why.
I suggested to my colleagues we have an early meet as parking was very limited and as it was Sunday all the "Central Belt" hills will be busy.
Parminder was meeting me in Inverkeithing and dumping his car at the Park & Ride and we arranged to meet Martin at Stirling Services at 5.45am with a view to leaving his car there. That was a good plan, however Stirling Council only allow a vehicle to park for 2 hours, so Martin came up with plan B - leave his car in a layby before we reach Callander.
We arrived at the small parking area and were welcomed by the local insects who wanted their breakfast, it was on with the midgie nets and we were soon on our way.

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River Dochart

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Looking the other way

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The way ahead

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Looking back - bit grotty

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The long grass was soaking wet and it was like being in a sauna

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Looking back - photo a bit blurry

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Low cloud lingering

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Looking back

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Water feature

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Not much water

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Dochart version of the Fairy Pools

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Bridge made of railway sleepers that weren't up to scratch

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One of the smallest dams you will see

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Not much water being released

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Not sure what we are looking at, headgear won't be catching on any time soon

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Mr Gilmour playing at being a teenager

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The way ahead, not very inviting

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A brief view of the glen below

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Very different ascending styles, Parminder trying to fly uphill

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Angle of ascent up Sgiath Chuil

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Martin striding out

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Great views behind my colleagues

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We are traversing a wee bit as the cloud is starting to lift a bit

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To make the day more interesting I opted for the difficult route to the summit of Sgiath Chuil, about 10m of hands on scrambling

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Martin opted for the easy walk round my little scrambly bit

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Parminder first on the summit having opted for the other easy walk round my scrambly bit

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Summit shot of Sgiath Chuil

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Martin doing Martin things

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We followed the path off the summit a bit too far west and had to double back

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Different descending techniques

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Views starting appear - looking eastish

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Still a bit more descending to do

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Loving the descent

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I must be getting quicker at descending - learning from George

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Doesn't look very inviting down there

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Descent starting to level out

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View to the west

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Peat hags to avoid when we reach the bottom of the glen

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Heather and webs

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Different coloured heather

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Peat hags

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Views at last - looking back at what we came down and the summit of Sgiath Chuil

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The fun and struggle has begun

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Looking east and the angle of ascent

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Heads down and loving it

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Westish

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Getting there slowly

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Angle of ascent - still fairly steep

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Parminder still loving his new style headgear

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The trig on the summit of Beinn Cheathaich

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Looking across to Meall Glas

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Getting ready for the final push to the final summit

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The big neighbours Ben More & Stob Binnien

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Summit cairn of Meall Glas with Sgiath Chuil in the background

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Ben More again

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Looking back up Meall Glas on our final descent - nae path

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Sgiath Chuil from low down

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Time for a quick breather, warming up now temperature wise

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We were the only car when we arrived, not sure where all these folk are

I want to give a shout to a female we met as we were on the latter stages of our final descent, she was heading for a Corbett and was walking barefoot. She said it was exhilarating, I did notice a plaster on one of her feet, looking on the bright side it saves spending hundreds of pounds on boots!
An enjoyable day even though I definitely won't be returning. How can 2 munro's not have even faint paths, when you think there have been literally thousands of pairs of boots tackling the two.
Next outing is going to this Friday in the far NW to tackle the least popular hills on here Lurg Mhor and Cheesecake - with bikes,
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Fife Flyer
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