and so thought this was a good route for the weekend. Arriving at the parking area it was clear I wasn't the only one thinking that, as it was looking nice and busy 
Feeling fit(ish)
I'd decided to add an extra mile to the route and ascend Beinn a'Chlachair via the long south west ridge and make a good long day of it. I was definitely blessed with the weather. Although there was a haze for most of the day it was predominantly blue sky, sun and warm. What breeze there was early on was definitely welcome. If only I'd brought the sun cream with me
- The start of the day
- idyllic
- First target of the day
The walk in to the first small lochan before Lochan na h-Earba was easy pickings, and was then followed by a great little walk to the ruin of Lubvan
- Lubvan
And a lovely walk alongside Allt Cam with the Culra Munros coming into view
- Aonach Beag
- Allt Cam
Then came the walk up the south west ridge
The profile of the hill suggested this should be reasonably straightforward. The guide I had read suggested the same. Not technically difficult perhaps, but after a while I was feeling every step, as it seemed steeper and tougher than I was expecting. Some good views were opening up though- Views heading up Beinn a'Chlachair
And then the boulders and rocks
- Heading up Beinn a'Chlachair
Eventually though I hit the summit, I had hoped for an icream van pehaps or a pub selling real ale
But no such luck. What I did have were more good views - Aonach Beag from Beinn a'Chlachair
- Route to Geal Charn
It was more of the same getting off the hill, with rocks, rocks and more rocks to navigate - all of which was sapping energy from me. Even so, I was still having a ball. Views back to the summit were good too
- Looking back
The descent to bealach leamhain looks steep, but isn't as bad as you might think. I was soon down and on my way to Geal Charn, but not before meeting the WH celebrity - Wilson - and his mum and dad who were on an epic 5 hill challenge
On the descent you get a great view of a small lochan on the bealach
- Bealach Leamhain lochan
I chose to follow the stalkers path up to the saddle between Geal Charn and Creag Pitridh for the up and down of Geal Charn first and then to Creag Pitridh. I seemed to be having a problem following the path on Geal Charn but eventually, after more fun and games on the boulders and rocks, the summmit and cairn came into view, with some good views from the top
- Geal Charn summit
- Creag Pitridh from Geal Charn
- View to Beinn a'Chlachair
- View from Geal Charn
By now I was really feeling it. Legs were getting sore, feet were burning and to make it worse I had a deep skin blister on the ball of my left foot. The wind was getting a bit keener too - a damn sight keener than me by then that was for sure
But Creag Pitridh was calling. I was starting to resent the fact that this little hill was over the magical 3,000 foot mark and that Mr Munro had afforded it Munro status. Given that there had been no change to its status since 1891 I wasn't expecting any change soon, so it was onwards and onwards.
Actually, the path up this final hill of the day was a great tonic for my aching limbs. It had the feel of a real hill path as it made its way to the final summit of the day and despite being knackered enthusiasm levels received a late boost up to the summit
It had been tough, but I had managed to bag all three - Creag Pitridh summit cairn
- View from Creag Pitridh 1
- View from Creag Pitridh 2
- View from Creag Pitridh 3
The descent from Creag Pitridh was an easy, gentle trek along a path down the south west ridge (until I lost it
). Then it was just an easy trek over the grass back to the stalkers path and back to the car via Lochan na h-Earba, which is such a tranquil spot you could lose yourself there for ages - Lochan na h-Earba
This was a good long walk. Technically not difficult, but the length (17 miles) and the terrain (a lot of boulders and big rocks) made for a tough day in the hills. Sure, my knees know all about it today, but all the same I loved it
