Geal Charn

[litljortindan]

Having only climbed a few small hills in January and February this year I was keen to take advantage of the fine weather and see if I could manage a longer walk. I climbed Creag Pitridh last year and that area was looking good forecast wise so I thought I'd try for Geal Charn as it looked on the map, and from memory of the Pitridh part of the ascent, like a fairly easy task; four kilometres or two and a half miles or an hour and a bit to Lochan na h-Earba then the hardest middle part of 370m of ascent over 3km up to Bealach Leamhain followed by an easy 2km and 320m of ascent up to Geal Charn's summit. Didn't quite work out that way, of course, with the walk to the bealch being easy and then my legs helpfully turning to jelly for the remainder. Predictable though, what with the relative lack of hillwalking exercise over the last four months.
I set off at 6.30am into a mixed looking morning with cloud on a few of the surrounding hills but Beinn a' Chlachair looking quite clear. It was also dry which I find a big plus.
All of the walk up to the bealach was quite easy but when I started on the slightly steeper gradient of the final slopes I was suddenly struggling and had to slow down a bit. This was no bad thing though as the mist around Creag Pitridh and around the bealach were being left behind as it became clear that there was a sort of inversion by which I mean that the forecast had indicated rare cloud around summit height but, in fact, there was quite a bit of cloud below the surrounding summits' height.
After departing the stalker's path I surveyed the uninviting slope ahead and mapped out a curve that would take me away from the boulders and avoid the craggy ground to the right. In fact the hill's topography suggests a route up that naturally leads round to the south east flank where a relatively boulder free shoulder or ramp makes for an easy last kilometre to the summit. Not for me though, as I was still jelly-legged. That didn't matter though as the inversion to the south east and south was truly magnificent with swathes of cloud dipping below the summits in an arc from the east horizon to the south west horizon. To the north west Creag Meagaidh could be made out and there were occasional glimpses of either the Eassains or the Grey Corries and to the the south Beinn a' Chlachair was in a constant battle to shed the cloud lapping on its shores.
Took me four hours to reach the summit, probably some sort of slowness record. If I'd had more energy and inclination I would have had a wee wander along Sron Garbh but the now rising cloud suggested otherwise so after a good half hour of summit inversion gazing it was time to descend. To say I was happy to have got there and with the inversion conditions would be quite an understatement. Difficult to put it into words but we've all been there where everything has gone well and the views just leave you stunned.
I descended easily enough and met a couple on their way to Creag Pitridh. They asked if I was aware that Lochan na h-Earba was possibly going to become part of a hydro scheme. I had not idea, I replied. This will be quite an act of vandalism if it does go ahead.


A decent looking morning, at least in teh direction in which I am heading.


There a few capercaillie jousts takig place.


I reach Lochan na h-Earba in good shape. The hill tops look like they may or may not be clear.but Beinn a' Chlachair at least is mostly clear and that encourages me.


The climb up to the bealach is also quite easy and there are a few small waterfalls to view along the way.


Beinn a' Chlachai looks fine and clear. Not the most dazzling of mornings but it is dry and geal Charn promises to be within my grasp.


Mist skirts round Creag Pitridh. I wonder if I should have ascended earlier on in teh morning.


Beyond the bealach the true nature of the morning starts to reveal itsefl with this glimpse of cloud to the south east sitting at around summit height.


View south from a short way above the bealach.


To the north Creag Pitridh is still wreathed in fog.


I ascend the final slopes slowly as I suddenly start struggling with the slight increase in gradient and the relative windlessness.




The hills further west are obscured but there's the occasional glimpse of something.


There's an interseting mix of gloom, light and inversion cloud off to the east and south east.




The air clears a bit and teh view is quite breathtaking or is that just my lack of fitness?


I suspect that is Schiehallion on the left there; certainly very Schiehallionesque.


This would ordinarily be a very pleasant stroll over the final slopes but I am definitely in low gear and going quite slowly.


Beinn a' Chlachair from near the summit.








At the trig point.




Glimpses of Creag Meagaidh.






Cloud started to rise a bit so it was time to descend.






Heading back to the bealach.




Lochan na h-Earba. Why would you put a hydro scheme here?