Thank You for Hearing Me

[weaselmaster]

I couldn't really let this week go without a reference to Sinead. I can't say I was particularly into her music, but I recognised a truly great singer and always considered her a courageous person: from my professional life in working with many, many women who had backgrounds of abuse and torment, I understood a little of how she tried to navigate her world and make the wider world a better one.

I had some time to myself this weekend but not the most engaging of weather forecasts. Wet, windy and worse. East looked better than West. I couldn't really be bothered going away til Friday morning and decided to venture up to Newtonmore where there was a small cluster of Grahams that would suffice - nothing too demanding and I'd still be able to get my half-dozen for the weekend.I left the house about 7.30 on Friday morning and was mystified by how quiet the roads were thru Glasgow - must still be Glasgow Fair? Anyway, I arrived at Newtonmore by 10.30, booked some tickets for upcoming gigs when I still had signal, then drove along to Glen Banchor.

1 & 2: Creag Liath & Creag Dubh. 13k 4.5 hours

liathdubh.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Originally I'd drawn up a big loop that included these two with half a dozen Simms to the west. As this was in excess of 30k it was unlikely I was going to get that done today, so I decided just to do the two Grahams in the most efficient way possible. There were a few cars in the parking area, dog walkers and folk off doing the Munros mostly. I headed along the track to the ruined farm of Glenballoch then continued north on track into the woods. I must have lost the track at some point, as I ended up somewhat to the west of where I'd intended, at an open gate in the old deer fencing. It seemed most sensible to just proceed straight up the hillside from here - some steepish sections initially but always deer paths to skirt round the worst of the boulders. Dark clouds were steadily being replaced by blue sky as I neared the summit. I paused for a look at the hills to the north, all to often hidden in clag when I've been here, then set off due south for Creag Liath. Knowing the River Calder to be broad but shallow I had no worries about crossing this - you are more likely to get wet feet crossing the marshy ground to the north of the river than the river itself. Since I'd put water shoes in my pack I did change into these but didn't really need to.

Creag Liath
2A0753FD-F380-40F0-A328-7BA5EA97C65E_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

22E88CF5-084C-48F8-B17A-7B06DD00258F_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

82C106AC-745C-467F-A112-F555A6E01E44_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Creag Dubh
E5BD7EDD-6791-480D-A6FF-9F29BD3F4FBE_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Once across the river I headed for the Allt Coire Shiaraidh which I followed for a bit before taking a direct line for the summit. Weather still nice, enough breeze to dissuade midges. From the top I decided to follow the fence line down to the river: - you can also traverse the length of the hill and end up more or less back at the car park, but having done that once I knew it would be quicker to head for the track. Back at the car for about 4, I had time to consider my next move.

A1D97A33-3547-409E-B9DC-8814A7D9A1C2_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

9D8EE9C3-A65C-449C-8629-4CC785A6028C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

8DF61578-8040-451D-B78D-EB28DAD27C2D_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Looking back at Liath
CAD66076-B891-4ED6-A30B-798EAFD81D1B_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr


3 & 4: Binnien Shios & Shuas 24k 7 hours

shiosshuas.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

This pair was the obvious companion to the Newtonmore Creags. Plus I'd get to camp at Lochan na h-Earba, maybe for the last time as I gather that Hydro work will be changing the lochans soon. I headed along the road to May Lodge, parked up in the usual parking area, gathered my overnight kit together and set off along the track. As it was still fairly early I had two possible options to consider for camping: - I could use the beach at the west end of Lochan na h-Earba and leave the tent up while I did the hills tomorrow, or I could pitch at the end of the lochan nearest Shios. I knew that would be quieter but couldn't remember what the ground was like for camping there - I remembered tussocks and wetness. So I opted for the first site. As I started along the track a guy passed my on a bike , with a small day pack. Bit late to be going up into the hills I thought. I continued to plod along the track, reached my selected spot and pitched. I was annoyed to have forgotten my buff and my midge net (the problems of switching rucksacks) but the breeze was just enough to blow the small annoyances away. Most of the time. As I was sitting having my tea the guy on the bike returns, saying I'd chosen a good spot to pitch. I said "that was a quick hill" but I didn't get a reply as to what he'd done - if it was Pitridh or Geal Charn he must have been going at quite a pace.
I settled down for the night, during which it rained a fair bit.

FDE40B40-345E-4561-AA3C-32AC7295EC06_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Beinn a'Chlachair
A28E84D9-2F77-4D88-BBA5-2B9AFD6113F5_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

9DFE0A31-3880-4433-8E40-BB847029400B_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

BD7949AA-DCD4-4943-BEA4-BB1E99DB2746_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

No disturbances other than the rain overnight. Despite that I found myself with my usual Friday migraine a day late - I lay in bed for a while hoping it might just disappear but then had to take some Zomig. I crawled out of my bag and got ready for the two Binniens. Leaving most of my gear in the tent I set along the track on the south east side of the lochan - other times we've done Shuas first and it's always a little tricksy finding a descent line, I thought it might be easier to do them in an anticlockwise fashion, which it probably was. I'd been having trouble with my right hamstring - or possibly Adductor Magnus - since I'd had a bout of cramp in it last weekend and I thought it would be a good idea to stretch it off a bit with a level walk before I started climbing anything today. Passing between the lochans I was relieved to see I'd made the right choice regarding a pitch spot, although there might have been ok places at the northern end of the first lochan. Anyway, I continued along the path then set off uphill, tussocks and long grass easing into shorter grass as height is gained. I remembered the summit of Shios is the furthest away point, so was prepared for this - it also made a difference having not already come over Shuas. Looking west I could see a mass of clouds gathering and knew the dry weather wasn't going to continue for much longer.

Shuas & Shios
8F8EF9C7-08EF-4B40-9BE3-759A1CA28752_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Shios
5634D6BD-5995-473C-A10E-5208C203A4EA_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Shuas
D011FFEC-B983-4E63-B500-A9C424211EBE_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

4C0C7A03-6876-4138-97FE-F2A4AE41ABB7_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

34B51C77-8812-45B5-B95E-602A6CADC97A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Keen to get on I followed an animal path down to the bealach - it's frustrating to lose almost all your height, but you do start this pair off at almost 300m so I don't suppose I can really complain. I had a look at the route I wanted to use up Shuas - although there are many deer paths here they all seemed to be going at 90 degrees to the direction I wanted to go. Not enough Graham climbing deer in my opinion. There is a steep pull up a grassy ramp that I remembered well from descending it. Then a mist-mash of rocky prominences to negotiate to reach the top. By this time it was showering - not too heavily, but I put waterproofs on as I reckoned there was more on the way. From the top it was a straightforward grassy descent back to the tent, which was nearly dry thanks to a late burst of sun and a stiff breeze. I returned to the car with the intention of driving towards Dalwhinnie for Meall nan Eagan. The rain came on heavily during the drive. I parked up just before the quarry gates, sat in the car for a bit waiting for the rain to lessen. It was still quite early in the day - I could have done the hill with a day pack and then headed somewhere else, but I didn't really have any other camping spot in mind.

EFF5129C-5C35-482E-9443-D018BFFDAD8C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

381E1FEE-0C19-4A56-A502-3D711B838EC2_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

D15EB023-4325-4756-8A88-48183D281CF8_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

433AE422-2D91-40D5-8F70-C8D219C362A9_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr


5. Meall nan Eagan 12k 3.5 hours

meallnaneagan.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Having done this hill twice by the same route I was reluctant to do it once more in the same way, but other options are limited. I thought I'd include the Simm of Creag nan Adhaircean for variation. I got my gear, remembering the midge net and buff this time and set off along the track to Allt an t'Sluic Lodge - there's some construction work being done at the opening of the track. The lodge was flying a Saltire, unusual in these parts which normally fly flags of the Union variety. I passed by on the track to the south of the building and started to walk along the river. My memories were of a boggy/tussocky valley and I wasn't sure where I'd get a spot to pitch. I had half hoped to continue along to the end of Coire Odhar but knew I'd be stumped if that proved unsuitable. There was also a stiff breeze, making a high camp unwise. I spotted a promising looking spot by some trees over the river and opted to pitch here, even though it was only 5pm. I got the tent up and had my tea, considering just going and doing the hills tonight, but then the rain started and I decided to retreat inside. I read through Patti Smith's Year of the Monkey, which was an unusual, oneirophrenic read which suited my half awake/half sleepy state in the tent. My spot was quiet, with the faint burble of the river yet sleep eluded me. A few times during the night I heard the warning bark of deer as they encountered this intruder in their domain and at one point it sounded as though a bird was trying to insert itself into the tent, but that was probably just the fabric fluttering in the breeze.

B4A27960-A41F-4CC3-840D-40AE032756F6_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

I got up, after my non-sleep, at 6 and decided to leave the tent again and get my hills done. A cooler morning but thankfully dry. I followed the river along into the coire, there were plenty of deer paths to follow. Creag nan Adhaircean was to be first - it's a steep thing divided from the tail of The Fara by a deep cleft - Dirc Mhor - and I wondered just how to approach it. In the end I decided on a direct approach, once again taking helpful deer paths around the crags. From the top I watched the clouds over the hills to the west come snaking over the summit of Meall nan Eagan. I took the same descent route, reckoning that what I knew was better than trying to pick a way down crags further over, then headed to the grassy slopes up Eagan. It's an easier approach from this side and adding Adhaircean would make for a slightly more interesting outing on what is otherwise a short and unremarkable hill day. I reached the top - this was me at the halfway point of Round Three, so I permitted myself a small grin before continuing along the fence line and down into the valley. There are some peat hags to be dealt with, and I stayed a bit higher than the valley floor, which I remembered as being soggy. Back at the tent I dried it off best I could then packed it away and headed back along to the car, awakening a posse of barks dogs at the lodge which continued to bark until I was right back at the car.

41916A1A-6C2C-477B-8C7D-AB50C9E8AED7_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Adhaircean to the left
57742145-8B8C-4FFE-85D9-0944560FBB13_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

F04C0CB1-FFA4-4CE7-8105-A305B7EB48FB_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Meall nan Eagan with gentle grassy ascent to the left
F09C56EC-C7D8-4207-8D36-B6762E0EB405_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Adhaircean is the middle one
39416081-FBFC-4286-9C1D-9C30695A2876_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Summit Meall nan Eagan
3C4FEC1D-6AD2-4D67-8A73-E18A2E97BE21_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

110/219
E2F5D7BB-C063-45A2-9EB7-A08CCE3F3E03_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

One more hill to make the requisite half dozen for the weekend - a nice short one...

6. Blath Bhalg 7k 2.2 hours

Blath-2.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

There probably isn't any realistic different route for this one, so I was repeating a loop I'd done twice before. Drove through Pitlochry and got to the start of the track - there's parking for several cars at what is marked on the map as a transmitter, but of which there is no longer any sign. A young couple of tourists had their pop up tent pitched at the gate. There's a footpath all the way to the top of this one, although soggy in places, so I didn't need to worry about navigation. What's there to say - it's a heathery lump that has three nobbles at the top, the summit, of course, being the furthest away knobble. I stopped for lunch midway along the route, didn't see anyone else, topped out with a good view to Beinn Vrackie and returned the same way I'd gone up.

96DAB413-E066-4246-85F9-35D44E031A12_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

25F35667-C721-436C-A5E1-79CFD149C7CE_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

99E51278-8CFD-4345-81A2-54BFDE7ECA21_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

I suppose if I'd been really motivated I could have fitted another short hill into the day, but as it was I had decided to call in at my mother's a day early. Stopping off for something for the tea in Mark & Sparks at Inveralmond I also checked out Tiso's for a new Multimat as I'd managed to lose yet another of them by forgetting to pack it away after I'd sat on it. At £6.50 per mat, Tiso's can forget it - these were £4 last time round and available for £3.25 online today, so I bought a few..

My old ma modelling my sunshine Tilley hat
DC664088-D494-4996-BF5C-F5FC5C87FBAC_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

[WildAboutWalking]

You had a busy few days! Some great photos there - particularly like your campsite at Lochan na h-Earba.

[prog99]

There probably isn't any realistic different route for this one, so I was repeating a loop I'd done twice before.

We did it from Pitlochry train station via some interesting terrain. Back the normal route then completed the circuit over Ben Vrackie and beers at the moulin.
So doable but not 100% sensible.

[weaselmaster]

There probably isn't any realistic different route for this one, so I was repeating a loop I'd done twice before.

We did it from Pitlochry train station via some interesting terrain. Back the normal route then completed the circuit over Ben Vrackie and beers at the moulin.
So doable but not 100% sensible.

That sounds an epic! If there had been Simms around it I would have come up with something more enterprising but there isn't.

[weaselmaster]

You had a busy few days! Some great photos there - particularly like your campsite at Lochan na h-Earba.

Yep that's a good one, have used it several times.