Munro Two Hundred and Fifty Six

[Chris Henshall]

Saturday, 25th. May, 2024:
With eight different people leaving on at least three different days from six different locations, the logistics of this trip were never going to be straightforward but 4.15.am. on a long-awaited Saturday morning did, at least, see Tommy and Lu (who had come to us by train from Wandsworth on the previous evening) and Chalky (who lives round the corner when he isn't living in Devon) all leaving for Scotland from West Kent in my battered old convertible. We were all tired from work but, as ever, the hills were calling us back.
The car was full (with rucksacks stashed between the back seats) but we made good time and, by around 3.00.pm., we were counting laybys on the A9 and ready to stretch our legs. There followed an uneventful ascent of Meall Chuaich (or, as the auto-correct on a couple of people's phones had it "Meall Church") in welcome sunshine - only notable for some reasonable views towards Ben Alder and north over Speyside and for the fact that it was Lu's first Munro. We had warned her that it was not the most exciting of hills but, nevertheless, she was polite enough to seem to be enjoying herself.

Tommy and Lu approach the summit of Meall Chuaich in a photo taken by a faulty camera (25.05.2024.)

A similarly faulty photo but with Chalky appearing between Tommy and Lu (25.05.2024.)

Tommy, Me and Chalky on the summit (25.06.2024.)

Descent from the summit towards Loch Ericht and Ben Alder (25.05.2024.)

Meall Chuaich from the A9 (25.05.2024.)

A swiftish descent got us back to the car and on to the Invergarry Hotel for a late meal (excellent haddock and chips) before arriving at the friendly, well organised Saddle Mountain Hostel. Our trip was up and running - with only Alex (from London), Finn (from Tarbert on Loch Fyne), Stefan (from Edinburgh) and Toddy from Norfolk still to put in an appearance.
Next Report: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=124598.