Two Corbetts on a long day in Glendessary

[JOHNGG]

The forecast for Sunday was too good to let the day go by without taking advantage of it so I was up early and was parked at the end of Loch Arkaig down Glendessary just after 9am.

Looking west down Loch Arkaig

The plan for the day to do the remote Corbett of Bidein a Chabir and, if my legs held out, also attempt Carn Mor. Although they are next to each other they are not an obvious "double" and a lot depended upon the roughness of the terrain and my energy levels. Still, the sun was shining, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and I set off on my trusty bike with spirits high as I set off along the forest track on the south side of the glen. I wasn't feeling so good 30 minutes later as I realised I'd taken the wrong track and had to cycle back almost to the start and then head back off down the glen along the excellent forest track. I finally arrived at the bridge over the river Dessary about 10.40 am. In a moment of "genius" I decided that rather than leave my bike I would take it with me and ended up pushing it along bog and through the forest for about a mile. Madness and not to be recommended.

Looking up to Meall na Stroine

Finally got to the start of the walking part of the day and headed up the slopes of Mealle na Stroine. A bit of a slog the first 400 metres of ascent and a few false summits but once past Mealle na Stroine the ridge levels out a bit and is a fastic walk - although there is a bit of up and down as it's fairly rough.

The summit getting closer

The approach to the summit is great though as all you can see if this pointy thing in the distance getting closer and all I could think was "how the heck do I get up there?"

How do you get up there ?

Fortunately having read other excellent reports on here I knew there was a way up and I got to the top, but be warned it is a scramble and there is a bit of exposure, especially on the descent. But what a viewpoint - all of Knoydart lies before you.... and tempting as it was I decided not to go along to the west top, but it looks a cracking viewpoint as well. Cracking views over to Sgurr na Ciche.

View from the top

After descending from the summit I was halfway to Mealle na Stroine and looked for an alternate route down. I headed south down the slopes of the hill picking my way between rocky outcrops wasn't too bad and I got to Gleann an Lochain Eanaiche without mishap. I was now at the northern side of Carn Mor and wondering whether or not to give it a go. My legs were tired, but I knew that this was my last Corbett in Glendessary and a bit of effort now would save a long drive down that single track road in the future. So I set off (slowly) up my second Corbett of the day.

the route up Carn Mor

Carn Mor is a fine hill but the first 400 metres of ascent was a bit of a slog from this side. However, I followed an old dry stane dyke and made it to the first of a few false tops before my legs gave out. Once over there the ridge flattens out and the walk to the true summit is a pleasant stroll. I wouldn't like to try and find the top in thick mist though as there are several small outcrops but on a clear day it wasn't a problem. There are two cairns, the smaller of the two being the higher point (in my opinion) so I added a few rocks to it before sitting down and having a sandwich. Photo is looking over to the first Corbett of the day, Bidean a Chabair.

Carn Mor views

The descent was straightforward and took a lot longer than I had anticipated, but it was a nice day and a lovely part of the world to be in so why rush ..... A bag of jelly beans gave me a wee sugar rush as I cycled back along the forest track and to my car and then back to Dundee. All in all a 16 hour day but two remote Corbetts ticked - only 16 to go now !

[LeithySuburbs]

A cracking looking day in a special area . That's some amount of ascent for 2 Corbetts considering their maximum height is 914m .

[JOHNGG]

Hi Leithy

It felt like a lot more than 1800 m on Sunday. I had to estimate as the webpage asks for the information, but I didn't have an exact figure because I wasn't using a GPS.

What is not always obvious on the OS map is just how undulating these hills are, and how much ascending (and descending) over minor tops are involved to get to the top of each hill. Although the first hill is "only" 867m it involves over 900m of total ascending to get to the summit. I then had to drop back down to 200m before climbing up to the summit of Carn Mor at 829m which also has a few monor bumps to get over. When you consider the height gained and lost on the cycle track back to the car (plus the "extra" climbing I had to do at the start because I took the wrong route and then the extra mile of walking uphill to retrieve my bike it all adds up..

Maybe it was closer to 1700m of ascent rather than 1800m, but maybe not. All I know is that somebody who can use a map and has half a brain could avoid some of the climbing I ended up doing

[Phil the Hill]

Good report, and good effort. I like the look of the summit of that 1st Corbett

When I was last at the roadhead at Loch Arkaig (which must have been in the late 90s), there was a prominent sign forbidding the use of bikes down the Glendessary tracks. Is that still there, or does everyone just ignore it?

[kinley]

My Anquet software has your total ascent at 1950m - and I wouldn't be surprised if it was more given the bobbly nature of these hills

I've seen a few reports of pairing these....can't say I was tempted. The road may be 40 minutes of unpleasant driving but the Glen Dessary area is worth visiting again and again.

Lovely looking walk though - you got great conditions.

Good luck with the last 16 - you've left quite a lot of logistically interesting hills there

[Klaasloopt]

Nice double!
I too looked up your Corbett map: are you saving Arkle for last? Also I personally love Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhugaill for its name and its bleakness. Looking forward to more of your 'outlier' reports.

[PeteR]

Great photos of an area I'm desparate to get stuck into. I don't think I have seen one report or one photo that doesn't put me off this area of the world. Really enjoyed your report and photos A good effort on what looks like tough terrain in places

[gammy leg walker]

Stunning part of the country

[JOHNGG]

Hi Phil

The "no bikes" notice at the end of the glen has long gone but it was an irritation for a while. I'm not sure if the estate or some "well meaning" climber removed it but good riddance anyway. The bike ride through the forest is excellent and the track is well maintained and takes you in a long way - I think it is much better than using the track past the Lodge en route to Glen Nevis.

Hi Kinley/Klaasloopt

Yes - the last 16 are pretty spread out and it's getting to that "interesting" stage where I almost have the 16 memorised and the routes/plan worked out in my head just waiting for the good weather. I am hping that a few days in Knoydart (based at Inverie) and a long weekend trip down to Loch Quioch with a canoe is going to get me close to single figures. Not sure about final hill though . The ones I still have left are all in fantastic parts of the country, and the Cobbler is the most likely candidate but I am in no rush to complete .....

cheers

John G