Sun, wind and bog on two Glenfinnan Corbetts

[DaveSan]

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After a chilly night camped in Glen Nevis, I arrived at 7am at the layby 5km before Glenfinnan where the railway comes alongside the road. Starting with a climb over the locked gate, I crossed the railway line and began following the faint grassy tracks heading round the back of a large grassy mound. The quick thaw of the recent few days had resulted in a lot of surface water, although in the north-facing shady sections, the ground was still frozen in places from the overnight frost.
I made my way up the steep grassy slopes, gaining height rapidly as I aimed for the notch in the ridge to the west. Despite the early hour, it felt warm in the early morning sunshine, with the prevailing wind not yet apparent. I turned south at the notch and headed along the broad ridge leading to Beinn Odhar Mhor.

Looking north with Sgurr an Utha mid-distance with Sgurr nan Coireachan, Sgurr Thuilm and Streap behind

The going was easy, with a few patches of partially frozen snow to cross or detour around and two hours from starting, I reached the summit cairn where a gusty SE wind had me looking for a place to shelter and rest awhile and take in the superb views down Glenfinnan and Loch Shiel.

Beinn Odhar Beag now coming into view

View to the east with Loch Shiel in the centre and Loch Eil further away. Ben Nevis also visible on horizon.

I headed down the right-side of the south ridge, finding a way around the immediate crags and the view opened up to Beinn Odhar Beag.

The rocky ascent of Beinn Odhar Beag

It was then a case of weaving a route around rocky bluffs, crags and knolls to the summit. A few stretches of snow were easily crossed - crunchy in a few places but not requiring crampons or spikes. Looking up, I anticipated a few steeper sections of snow, but as it turned out, I could avoid them altogether and 45 minutes after leaving the previous summit, I was at the small cairn on Beinn Odhar Beag.

Summit cairn on Beinn Odhar Beag, looking eastwards

View SW along Loch Shiel

I found a place to shelter from the wind and pulled out the coffee flask. Suitably fortified, I set off down the long but easy angled grassy NW ridge down to Bealach a' Choire Bhuidhe. The uniformly steep east face of Beinn Mhic Cedidh now towered above. In a little over 30 minutes from the bealach, I popped out at the top and headed to the tiny cairn on the edge of the east face.
This was Corbett number 150 for me - a small celebration was in order but that would have to wait until I was back at the campsite!

View from Beinn Mhic Cedidh summit to the west - Rois-Bheinn, Sgurr na Ba Glaise and Druim Fiaclach

View SW from summit of Beinn Mhic Cedidh - the shapely dome of the Graham, Croit Bheinn in mid-distance

The two Beinn Odhars from summit of Beinn Mhic Cedidh

Due to some steep snowed up sections on the north ridge, I stayed on the west side as I made my way down the grassy and increasingly boggy slopes of the north ridge, heading for Sgurr na Paite. I was relieved to reach the bealach below the latter and began following the ATV track back to the road. This began well, as I was able to avoid the wetter sections on dry grass on either side, however, the lower I went, the boggier the ground became until it was impossible to avoid. Progress was annoyingly slow as I made my way along the mud and bog but with great relief I finally reached the road and could stretch out for the mile back to the car.
A memorable walk, although the last hour is best forgotten!

[Mal Grey]

Excellent.

I've always thought these looked like excellent, wild, hills and your report proves it.