Weasels Vs Wind

[weaselmaster]

Why is it that the weather can be beautiful during the week, then as soon as the weekend approaches, all kinds of meteorological mayhem breaks loose? We had three lovely days between Tuesday to Thursday this week, then the forces of darkness coalesce and we get gales for the weekend. It's a damn nuisance

I'd decided we'd go to Comrie this weekend, to another campsite that I can normally tolerate (off season) and do a mix of hills in the area. Vorlich & Stuc a'Chroin Friday, Grahams on Saturday given the forecast, then Meall Corraneach & Meall a'Coire Leith plus Meall nam Maigheach on Sunday. Well that was the plan. Comrie Corft have got a new online booking thing for tents now, which is quite convenient, especially if you arrive after they shut and leave for the hills before they open. We headed up to the High Meadow, which is usually empty at this time of year - however, there were two big teepee/yurt type tents with log burners in the field. We pitched right at the far end, away from the others and hoped for a quiet night. That was not to be. About an hour after we'd pitched, two guys return to the yurt in the middle of the field and sit talking and laughing. We've gone to bed early, so we can't complain at this point, but it goes on.....and on...midnight passes, two, three am - they're still at it at 5.30 in the morning and only stop when it gets light. Perhaps they're vampires. I hadn't slept at all - and was quietly furious. We set off around 8 for Vorlich, hoping that they'd be gone when we returned.

2021-11-05_0827 Raw.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

It's a short drive from Comrie to Ardvorlich on the south Loch Earn road. Plenty of places we could have wild camped along here...No other cars in the parking area, we set off along the tack to Vorlich. Pretty autumnal colours in the bushes and trees around the House. Easy going up the track - sadly the tops are in mist. We're at the summit of Vorlich just after 10am. Descend to Bealach an Dubh Choirein and prepare to head up Stuc a'Chroin. My memory of this bit is of a scramblier path, but it's very straightforward - must have been the mist/rain/snow last time we were here colouring my recollection. At the summit by 11.30.
Of course I want to add on the Corbett of Meall na Fearna, since we're here, and have routed us off the SE shoulder of the Stuc. I think it translates as "barren moor". Anyway it's a very pleasant walk on short grass and would be a nice way to approach this hill from Glen Artney or Callander if you were so inclined. We were inclined - or perhaps I should say "I was inclined" to add on the Simm of Meall Odhar at the end of the ridge. The sky started to open up, some sunshine, most welcome.

D97498BE-CDFC-4943-A910-0DF864A568E7_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Vorlich
0C362275-AE1C-4F50-9737-3E6C53D90441_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

BF895EF4-FB2A-4232-B436-22CA07210A1F_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

F48F05B7-2399-456A-8D10-5DF7132BBB11_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

The Stuc
B401DFCB-DEC6-4117-993B-785AF125E220_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Aonach Gainimhach
8FE2E1D4-6924-4F0B-9B85-9AC7D1E07D0D_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Vorlich & Stuc from Meall Odhar
57700EBD-374D-498E-9903-9434C15CD9B1_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

From here we cut down into Gleann an Dubh Choirein over boggy rough ground. I thought I'd be kind to Allison and aim for the footbridge marked on the map, to cross the Allt - however there was no footbridge at all, perhaps just one iron rod remaining. Not that the river was difficult to cross today, though that could be an issue at other times. A slow pull up Meall na Fearna was next then the significantly less pleasant descent back towards Glen Vorlich. Kingdom of bog, tussock and the like. Eventually we got down to the track, which is still pretty sketchy for a while until it nears the Ardvorlich Burn. But overall a good day out

Meall na Fearna
54C53EE3-1F38-45EF-9D00-DE102B726186_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Vorlich
4BE4F84E-969F-4A00-8CF3-5A328EF7487A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Bridge
D018D5F6-CCE3-4340-B131-5BD12FDBFD9F_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Summit Fearna
F58DC5AC-0E63-488E-93E0-B0B6C598AD32_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

8EC0F058-D647-4DB2-A228-B912A8BF783C by Al, on Flickr

When we got back to the campsite I could see the tent of noise was still there, although no-one home. We had our tea, I heard them returning and decided I was going to talk to them, as I really couldn't face another all-nighter from them. I'm always a bit wary about confronting folk on campsites, you never quite know what response you'll get, or if your tent will be victimised in your absence. Anyway, the lads were very apologetic, hadn't seen our tent (which was possible, I suppose), hadn't realised they were being that noisy, there wouldn't be a repeat. And indeed there wasn't.

2021-11-06_0905 Raw.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Saturday's choice of hills was a pair of Grahams near St Fillans that we'd done from Glen Artney last time round, in deep snow. I remembered them as being particularly arduous, partly because of conditions, but also because we added in the Marilyn of Ben Halton. I'd looked at the option of coming in from the North to do this pair, using a forestry track from Dundurn. We parked in a small lay-by just to the east of where one can access the old railway line. I was to regret this particular choice of lay-by as will be revealed later. A short walk along the road, cut down onto the old railway line at the stone bridge, festooned with a confetti of oak leaves stirred up by the winds. Past some old farming equipment and old railway sleepers, the trees very pretty in autumn garb. Onto the track, as the rain began. Today's forecast was for heavy rain all day (turning to snow later on the tops) and with winds 50-60mph, gusting up to 80mph. Hmmmm. The track was pretty good and has been extended compared to what's shown on the OS map. This brought us to the base of Mor Bheinn without difficulty and the climb up, on grass and heather, wasn't bad - helpful deer tracks much of the way, although the deer have, unfortunately, little determination to get to the summit and are often going off at tangents which prove unhelpful for the walker. Anyway, we were at the top, holding on to the trig for dear life.

788B1073-6C31-485F-ADA5-4472B86D6E53_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

8CB17249-F501-4384-919A-CE61B0EEA796_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

5CE5DDC9-32A2-4662-8A5C-D0545413E1DD_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

B58BF6A5-13BF-40AE-9204-8AC1A04C52BF_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Mor Bheinn
58691C9E-0218-4D26-B91E-D0E12FDFAC21_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

The next section, down to meet the fence line between Mor Bheinn and Ben Halton, was even windier in places and we were both blown off our feet on occasions. Boggy at the fence line and wet on the way down along it, but we were out of the blast of the wind. The most obvious line up Beinn Dearg from here is to use its NE shoulder, which we did last time. Steep, with numerous false summits, if I remember. However today, in view of the very strong winds from the west, I thought it might be better to go in through Coire an Eich/ Coire Innein, which would mean less time exposed to the full force of the wind on top. Seemed like a good idea. Sadly, the terrain to get to the coire is beastly - initially swampy and then a lot of new plantings with the usual challenge of digger scoop holes to avoid falling in. There is a new deer fence - we used the gates - and once outside were able to find deer paths to aid our progress a little. Inside Coire Innein I watched a red kite and a raven in the high wind. The kite showed more finesse, the raven looked like it was having more fun. Up to the ridge top eventually and the wind wasn't really that much worse there. We also had clearer paths to follow which was a help.

Beinn Dearg
95053AE9-7AB1-489C-A429-4969FFF9E687_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Coire Innein
30C86735-2C2A-458E-AF72-D14D586F90C4_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Creag na h-Eararuidh
8F5454F0-3465-4489-962D-0D48C138F117_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

1782C271-4058-4C77-ABAB-A3D41945A763_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

DF8CA9BC-12AD-4E88-8B2D-F6B7B200410D_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

0EC09FB3-49DD-4885-8831-E7495BB69EA7_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Now as everyone - apart from the SMC guide to the Grahams (early editions) knows, Beinn Dearg isn't the Graham - this is the 705 point on the map Creag na h-Eararuidh (which trips off the tongue) - surveyed at 2m higher than Beinn Dearg's summit. If you're really a spoff you can read about the measuring of it here:
http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/surveys/Surveys%20of%20Beinn%20Dearg%20and%20Creag%20na%20h-Eararuidh.pdf
Who would have thought that som much work went into such things? Anyway, we made it to the summit, walking at 45 degree angles in the wind whilst a rainbow appeared over our heads. Rather than go back down into the coire, I decided we might as well continue along the ridge to the Beinn Dearg summit and head off the west side of the ridge, making for the new forestry road that runs along the bottom there. Most of the trees have been felled, so the journey isn't as bad as it would have been previously - we followed a deer fence round til it reached the track and then used an extraction track to return us with the track we'd used coming in. The day had been much drier than forecast, although the windy part of it was right. Passed a white goat on the track - as we approached he climbed on top of an outcrop of rock just so he could look down at us mere mortals. I had a bit of beard envy, I'll admit

Beinn Dearg summit
FBC72C60-1419-49E3-9EBB-0DD254BA8386_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

The way down, Mor Bheinn in distance, new tracks visible
477CB8F9-148C-4D40-8647-C5DCD177F418_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

B2C3A487-8ECA-43E2-B199-816E30ABB479_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

2EC056FF-F412-4812-99AD-F260F7AB7282_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

9E66A55F-E96A-467A-A3B2-A83843677509 by Al, on Flickr

We got back to the car just as the light was fading, feeling quite pleased with the way the day had gone (apart from the unpleasant section of terrain). Then Allison noticed that a large tree branch had been broken from one of the trees by the lay-by and had fallen on her side of the car, breaking the wing-mirror, the trim along the windscreen and cracking the windscreen too. Damn! I managed to tape the wing mirror in something of a useable position and drove back to the campsite quite annoyed, feeling I'd done something to anger the gods.

The Wind strikes back...
3BF3F87E-FA0A-4AEB-ACB6-153D2C4473BB_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

It was a windy night at the campsite - the yurts had gone and we were alone on the hillside. No snow, however. The forecast for Sunday was for high winds to continue, with snow and mist at Munro height, so it seemed clear that we'd need to find an alternative to the Lawers Mealls...a pity since they're on my list of Munros required for round three. I suggested we do a couple of Grahams up by Amulree, easy hills with a track between them.

2021-11-07_1014 Raw.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

We drove the few miles to Amulree, parking at the community centre and walking along the road to the track by Girron Farm. There's actually room to park at the start of the track, which would save a walk along a quite busy road. Passing the farm buildings, we were greeted by a trio of border collies, one in particular being very friendly. We followed a sheep path up to the summit of Meall nan Caorach, appropriately enough and paused for some windy views - some snow on the Lawers hills right enough, although Schiehallion was not whitened. Down the fence line, pause for lunch to give energy then up the fence line on Meall Reamhar. Back down the same way, past a sheep who seemed to have got separated from her buddies on the other side of the fence. Back out on the track, nice sunny weather to enjoy.

E8EBA807-5A1F-47F1-875B-9EB443A923C6_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Meall nan Caorach
70A43E62-7C08-4489-A5ED-05EA16DA43CE_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

76217257-A27C-4052-B97F-762979F4C7D0_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Meall Reamhar
61C90252-10E7-4761-B3AD-298DFB6CAAA5_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

B3C56E9F-DDE1-4B00-B399-49363212F975_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

A73E5D61-5A7D-417D-831A-E376250065C1 by Al, on Flickr

2021-11-07_1409 Raw.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

We'd be back at the car by 2pm, and I thought it would be a shame to waste the sunshine. I had considered doing a Simm, also Meall Reamhar, which stands at the northeast corner of the Sma Glen, but it also occurred to me that we could do Beinn Gainimh, which was just round the corner from where we'd parked and made use of the Rob Roy trail...we'd done it with two Simms last time and it had been 8.5k, so what about it, Allison? I could see that it was probably the last thing she wanted to do right now, but being a sweet soul she agreed. We drove the couple of miles along Glen Quaich, unable to park at Croftmill due to "No Parking" signs we had to double back and park about half a km back along the road. Track. Then boggy grassy track after Lochan a'Mhuillin is passed. Across the Glenlochan burn (step-able) and onto the steep flanks of our hill. Once again deer paths. I made an error of aiming for the top I could see, Creag Grianain, which was, in fact, one of the Simms we'd done last time, and was annoyed (though not as much as Allison) to find that we'd climbed about 40m up the wrong bit of hill. From here, there still looked a lot to do to get to the summit of Gainimh - including crossing a double electric fence. I doubted if it was "on" but Allison found that it was when she got her leg shocked. Finally onto the flat summit plain - I rebuilt the cairn while I waited for her to catch me up.

D37E3A6C-6396-4CC9-9DE5-21AC9F96F174_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

This is actually Creag Grianain...
0A84788F-4A8C-4919-BB64-9D7564A2BB4C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Lochan a'Mhuillin
A8B4487D-0052-4CCC-A92E-007637A91F9E_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

This is Gainimh
1BFA4965-3778-476F-A2B2-250A19A8D2FD_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

620CE242-9E67-4C0C-8BEE-DE683A9BF288_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

We retraced our steps along the fence then descended more directly than we'd come up - lots of rocky sections which look like they've been part of a landslip in the past. I remembered doing this in snow and being concerned about disappearing in hidden holes. Back to the burn and the track - we made the car in just over 3 hours, just as the light faded. I was glad we'd got this "extra" hill in although Allison might be a bit unforgiving depending how her body feels in the days to come...

9F101719-CF5D-4D13-A1E9-1A824392E75E_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

20C91E60-4765-48C6-9C1C-29BA7A5609FA_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

D2E2A324-A54E-4BDD-B331-5D0A6C24BE7E_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

194E7FAC-8705-43F0-89F0-68A400CAD2B7 by Al, on Flickr




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[prog99]

Good choice, we were pre-booked to the NW and our car was getting lifted off of its suspension by the wind thus a wild coastal walk instead (very good though).
thanks for the comrie campsite info, useful to know.

[weaselmaster]

Good choice, we were pre-booked to the NW and our car was getting lifted off of its suspension by the wind thus a wild coastal walk instead (very good though).
thanks for the comrie campsite info, useful to know.

It’s a handy site to use in winter, and only £6 per person too. Useful for all those tough Grahams around the Trossachs and Perthshire

[goth_angel]

You got some good views there despite the inclement weather. Very annoying re the noisy campers.

Do you never think '80mph wind forecast - stuff it let's go to the pub'? Windiest day I've ever done was Pen y Fan on a 50mph forecast, that was quite bad enough!

[weaselmaster]

You got some good views there despite the inclement weather. Very annoying re the noisy campers.

Do you never think '80mph wind forecast - stuff it let's go to the pub'? Windiest day I've ever done was Pen y Fan on a 50mph forecast, that was quite bad enough!

What’s a pub? Not been in one of those since Covid started. ☺️ We did do little hills, rather than attempt anything taller. Was almost tempted to do Meall Corranach on Sunday as it didn’t seem that windy when we were driving to Amulree. Glad we didn’t though. It can be quite fun (I think, Allison doesn’t) being out in high winds unless you’re somewhere that becomes dangerous, like a narrow ridge or sheer cliff drop. But I have to say I’m not a great fan, give me more balmy conditions any day