Carn Gorm Horseshoe
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:06 pmSnap decision to head up to Carn Gorm to complete the horseshoe of 4 Munros. Party of 3, kitted up and raring to go.
Bit of a detour meant a late start and didnt get on to the path up the hill until nearly 10 am and the prospect of missing a free dinner in Glasgow for one of the team meant we were against the clock.
Following the Invervar Burn up from the road, it was easy to see the results of the recent snow melt. High white water and impressive waterfalls on the steep slope up through the forest, as well as a lot of water coming off the surrounding lands on to the path we ascended on. Couple of guys just ahead of us went off on the path to the right that we would be coming back down on.
Cleared the forest and the wobbly bridge,, aptly named, then had a clear view up the slopes to the top of Carn Gorm. with 2 parties of climbers in front of us on a clearly defined, zig zagging path.
Reached the top of Carn Gorm, (3376ft) around 12, time for a cuppa and a try out of the storm shelter. 3 of us tucked up in what can only be described as a giant shower cap with a window. Really effective piece of kit though, totally windproof and if your sitting on your pack, up off the ground, it was really dry and snug in pretty strong winds.
Crawled out of our snug wee 'bothy' and headed off to peak 2, Meall Garbh, reached the top around 1pm. Weather had been unexpectedly mild, very windy in the open but clear, with fantastic visibility. Had a smashing view of the humpback silhouette of Schiehallion to the North East and down over Loch Rannoch.
Skipped over the summit of Meall a' Bharr, over 3000ft but not Munro classified, then on over to Munro number 3, Carn Mairg at 3415 ft. The weather had been holding, windy and bright but the wind was starting to whip in some cloud and during our break we could look over and down on what initially appeared to be fast moving low cloud, but on heading out to the final summit, it turned to hail and snow, again, amazingly mild but still VERY windy. Bit of a whiteout while crossing one of the larger snow fields to reach the top, where luckily, it cleared up again.
By the time we were heading off the top, sun was out again, couple of steep stretches allowing a revisit to my youth and slid down over the snow, glacading style. Amazing distant views in all directions giving us a taste of other peaks to come. The route down took us back over a sloping shoulder and then steeply down to the woodland/ Invervar Burn and back to the car, just in front of the 2 boys who went out on the reverse route, beat them, now, that felt good! lol
There were a couple of long slogs on this,,up and on to Carn Gorm, then the last peak had a bit of a climb across a snow field which was more ice than snow meaning we had to be VERY careful with the footing. But in between, rolling drops and climbs,,nothing too taxing and even managing to break into a run between peaks and on the downward stretches.
So, 4 Munros in a little over 6.5 hrs, doubled my bag list in one day. Smashing day
Bit of a detour meant a late start and didnt get on to the path up the hill until nearly 10 am and the prospect of missing a free dinner in Glasgow for one of the team meant we were against the clock.
Following the Invervar Burn up from the road, it was easy to see the results of the recent snow melt. High white water and impressive waterfalls on the steep slope up through the forest, as well as a lot of water coming off the surrounding lands on to the path we ascended on. Couple of guys just ahead of us went off on the path to the right that we would be coming back down on.
Cleared the forest and the wobbly bridge,, aptly named, then had a clear view up the slopes to the top of Carn Gorm. with 2 parties of climbers in front of us on a clearly defined, zig zagging path.
Reached the top of Carn Gorm, (3376ft) around 12, time for a cuppa and a try out of the storm shelter. 3 of us tucked up in what can only be described as a giant shower cap with a window. Really effective piece of kit though, totally windproof and if your sitting on your pack, up off the ground, it was really dry and snug in pretty strong winds.
Crawled out of our snug wee 'bothy' and headed off to peak 2, Meall Garbh, reached the top around 1pm. Weather had been unexpectedly mild, very windy in the open but clear, with fantastic visibility. Had a smashing view of the humpback silhouette of Schiehallion to the North East and down over Loch Rannoch.
Skipped over the summit of Meall a' Bharr, over 3000ft but not Munro classified, then on over to Munro number 3, Carn Mairg at 3415 ft. The weather had been holding, windy and bright but the wind was starting to whip in some cloud and during our break we could look over and down on what initially appeared to be fast moving low cloud, but on heading out to the final summit, it turned to hail and snow, again, amazingly mild but still VERY windy. Bit of a whiteout while crossing one of the larger snow fields to reach the top, where luckily, it cleared up again.
By the time we were heading off the top, sun was out again, couple of steep stretches allowing a revisit to my youth and slid down over the snow, glacading style. Amazing distant views in all directions giving us a taste of other peaks to come. The route down took us back over a sloping shoulder and then steeply down to the woodland/ Invervar Burn and back to the car, just in front of the 2 boys who went out on the reverse route, beat them, now, that felt good! lol
There were a couple of long slogs on this,,up and on to Carn Gorm, then the last peak had a bit of a climb across a snow field which was more ice than snow meaning we had to be VERY careful with the footing. But in between, rolling drops and climbs,,nothing too taxing and even managing to break into a run between peaks and on the downward stretches.
So, 4 Munros in a little over 6.5 hrs, doubled my bag list in one day. Smashing day
