Glen Lyon 4 in stark monochrome

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

I did this round on a raw, bleak day and at first thought the photos would not be worth posting.

However, looking over them afterwards, I decided that they did have a certain steely charm, so I've done a TR. And, the sun did come out a bit at the end!

I hardly stopped for photos until the summit of Càrn Gorm. There were strong winds throughout the day, but the cloud kept above most of the summits, and distant visibility was good. This is looking a bit south of west from the cairn, with Stuchd an Lochain on the left, and Beinn a'Chreachain in the distance.

IMG_7921 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The ridge ahead, with Beinn a'Chuallaich beyond.

IMG_7959 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The west ridge of Càrn Gorm, with Meall Buidhe and bits of the Black Mount and Glen Coe hills behind

IMG_7970 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Looking back to Càrn Gorm from the bealach below An Sgorr.

IMG_7977 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The Mamores and Ben Nevis in the distance.

IMG_7988 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Minimalist landscape

IMG_8001 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Turner Prize

IMG_8025 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Patterns caused by ice age solifluction?

IMG_8034 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Lochaber hills from Meall Garbh

IMG_8039 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Schiehallion

IMG_8043 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Ben Alder and a bit of Loch Rannoch

IMG_8048 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

On Meall a'Bharr - the view ahead to Càrn Mairg

IMG_8068 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Skies above Meall a'Bharr

IMG_8077 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The other Meall Garbh, looking grand above Glen Lyon

IMG_8107 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Ridge to Càrn Mairg. There was a lot of deep snow here in the gaps between the rocks.

IMG_8113 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Light in the glen

IMG_8144 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Cairn on Càrn Mairg. Just to its left, one of the peaks of Beinn a'Ghlo is catching the light.

IMG_8152 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Glen Lyon and the Lawers range from the summit

IMG_8148(1) by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

So far I had managed without using the crampons, just kicking steps in the odd place as needed, but the eastern slope of Càrn Mairg was hard névé, so I sat down and put the crampons on. I was now quite tired, as I had had covid a couple of weeks before and was feeling the after effects. The last peak looked quite small and easy though...?

IMG_8175 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Càrn Gorm from the start of the ascent of Meall na Aighean

IMG_8184 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

At this point, the descending ridge of Meall na Aighean was just to my right and looked extremely tempting. The summit, on the other hand, looked higher and more daunting with every step. However I decided to give it one last slog. I reckoned I had just enough daylight to get to the top and be off the hill and down to the hydro track by dark.

Looking back along the ridge

IMG_8186 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

A last look back at Càrn Mairg

IMG_8196 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The sun came out on the summit!

IMG_8207 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

There was now no time to lose. I got to the hydro track in dim light, putting my headtorch on for the last walk back through the felled area. Many have reported that this walk is quite easy, but (perhaps due to post-covid) I found it quite a challenge!