Top off: bagged my 100. Munro

[Grisu]

No I didn't take my top off - for this the weather was way too nasty and cold. I choose the headline only as a play of word to keep this summer's ,,top-of-theme" running (not sure if it really works but my dictionary says ,,top off" means completing something - so no connection to the scottish saying ,,taps aff" ).
The title actually should be called: A soggy, boggy slog - or, as Sspaterson puts it: a pathless trudge (viewtopic.php?f=9&t=112455) - and so I have nothing really much to add apart from a few remarks to give credit to my 100. Munro completion .

After yesterday's walk of Creag Meagaidh I was running out of planned walks but there were still two days left of my stay in the comfortable and walk-convenient Old School Hostel in Dalwhinnie. According to the weatherforecast it would have been better to walk on sunday but for some specific reasons I choose to walk on saturday, rain was predicted but it should be okay as long as I had some views to find the way. By time and distance it looked like a much shorter walk than the previous walks and the description sounded not too difficult ...
The moment I set off it started raining, the field was boggy. The ,,path" up Meall Clachaig became an ATV-Track and later transformed into a line of newly planted little plants. Therefore I missed the probably non-existing ,,path" and it took me a little detour around the Knolls of Meall Clachaig until I finally got on the right track towards the fence.
The hillside was boggy at the beginning but later it became stonier and drier. Once on the ridge the rain became much less and even stopped for some time. I really enjoyed this part of the walk which was the best of the day.
Then came the soggy, boggy and seemingly endless slog down to the bealach on pathless slopes. I haven't expected that it would be sooo long and I was looking forward to get a glimpse of Tom Mòr - where was it? .
When I reached the bealach I got on an ATV-track and had a short break. Then it began raining again.
As I misunderstood the decription saying ,,Round the steep lower slopes of Beinn Teallach to the right before beginning a direct climb up the north-northeast ridge" I took a different approach because I understood it that way, that I have to keep the steep slopes to my right and to try to find my way up the ,,faint path" I have seen below the slopes from the other side of the bealach. I couldn't detect any signs of a path further up around Tom Mòr where it looked awfully boggy so I followed the ATV-Track to the far side and tried to pick up the ,,faint path". I acutally managed this but the path went on and off, like all ,,paths" on this route, so I always tried to find the best line and a suitable passage to get to the next level. While clambering upwards the rain got stronger and wafts of mist started to obfuscate the hill.
When I sudenly saw a christmas tree I hoped that it wouldn't be too long to reach the summit now and shortly after I ,,stumbled" over a cairn which marked the end of my scramble.
From here I could vaguely recognise another cairn in the distance and a clear path which made me feel very envious. This obviously was the summit cairn. Further on there was the second and still a bit further down I found another cairn. So I touched all four just to make sure not to miss my 100 Munro after this struggle.
Then I started the looong soggy, boggy and mainly pathless descent. At the beginning I still was on a decent sort of path but than I lost it again and again and finally I gave up looking for it and just plodded along.
I was very happy when I saw the deer fence eventually. I checked a passage over the river but I didn't want to take any risks, it was very steep and it didn't seemed worth to try. There were some traces that clearly showed that others have checked this option, too, but I don't know if anybody crossed the river that high up. So I remained on the right side of the river and finally, surprise, surprise I got on an ATV-track again which eventually lead me to a path along the banks of the river where I found an easy crossing.
According to the walk reports I have read I am aware that most baggers enjoyed the walk but I am sorry to say, I only can agree with Sspaterson: I am very glad to have it ticked off.
That way the former highest Corbett which is now the lowest Munros on my MunroMap became my 100. Munro I have bagged.

outlook from the soggy, boggy field

little plants

happy to get closer to the fence

rain stopped almost completely when I reached the ridge.

views back to Loch Treig

impressive cliffs

summit cairn and outlook towards the north-top

Loch Laggan

Loch Treig

summit view

Lochan at Coire Na H-Uamha

weather front is moving away

Looking back from north top

scenery towards Loch Teig

Where is Tom Mòr?

Once at the bealach a new weather front was coming in.

Allt a'Choarainn

Christmas Tree

arriving at the ridge with summit cairn veiled by mist

fence in the distance

washing socks, sandals and feet while crossing the burn

plenty of new trees

glad to be back to the bridge at the road

[zatapathique]

Congrats on your 100th Munro! I almost don't dare to write that I quite enjoyed this pair of Munros:
A Munro Duo with Suzi Quatro
Even though the last bit was indeed muddy.

I wanted to bag my 100th Munro as well this year. The counter was at 93 when I arrived in Scotland in June, but somehow got stuck at 96, and will stay there until next year.

Looking at your Munro map, we have almost the same number of summits, but very few in common. Interesting, as you seem to come in from the continent as well every year.

[Grisu]

Congrats on your 100th Munro! I almost don't dare to write that I quite enjoyed this pair of Munros:
A Munro Duo with Suzi Quatro
Even though the last bit was indeed muddy.

I wanted to bag my 100th Munro as well this year. The counter was at 93 when I arrived in Scotland in June, but somehow got stuck at 96, and will stay there until next year.

Looking at your Munro map, we have almost the same number of summits, but very few in common. Interesting, as you seem to come in from the continent as well every year.

Thanks, zatapathique, I was lucky that I could complete the 100 this year. Somehow it popped up in the back of my mind but I didn't want to stress myself so I kept my expectations very low. The first part of my walks in Kintail and around had been quite demanding because of the steepness, so I didn't do the two single Munros at Loch Quoich, only the pair (report not yet written).
When I arrived in Dalwhinnie I was much fitter meanwhile and the weather was okay so I kept going until I became aware that it might be possible...
And you are right. Since I did my first munros in 2015 and have learned about this system I come over every year for walking. It is a very nice opportunity to get to know the country and I like this very much. Usually I stay a week somewhere and then I change place, walks all prepared in advance, of course, which is a pleasant anticipation
Now this year's holiday come to an end and I enjoy the last days in Langdale, Lake District, which I always call little Scotland, but no more walks, only easy going and relaxing at the New Dungean Ghyll
Cheers
Anke