The Eastern Mamores
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:03 amA poor forecast - 20% chance of clear Munros according to MWIS- but having travelled 200 miles there was only one thing to do. Talking with other walkers in the car park at Mamore Lodge suggested everyone had the same inhibitions. Doing only two seemed the choice of some but it was four or none for me.
A dramatic start and an eerie light all around. The was sun up there somewhere.
There was a definite breaking of cloud taking place but the wind continued to be very strong and quite cold I have to say.
The climb up the rough and rocky slopes of Sgurr Eilde Mor was - typical of the first Munro of the day - a nightmare. Cold, windy, out of breath. Why do I do this?
Still hopeful of clearer weather the route descended quite sharply before the gentle climb towards Binnein Beag.
Everything all around was clearing beautifully. I seemed to get a burst of energy from somewhere.
My enthusiasm was at a high so it was onward to Binnein Mor. The suggested route was straight up the rocky face.
The route suggested was great fun. Some really good holds and quite airy but never too exposed even in the wind.
The suggested route was to descend and call it a day at three Munros but the extra walking to Na Gruagaichean was minimal. I felt i could reach out and touch it.
A thoroughly memorable walk. I gave it ten out of ten. The views in all directions were breathtaking. The mamores sit in a position where the surrounding valleys and mountains provide an amphitheatre like nowhere else in the world. I would recommend this walk to anyone.
- Looking down Loch leven
A dramatic start and an eerie light all around. The was sun up there somewhere.
- Cloud getting higher over Sgurr Eilde Mor
There was a definite breaking of cloud taking place but the wind continued to be very strong and quite cold I have to say.
- Summit of Sgurr Eilde Mor
The climb up the rough and rocky slopes of Sgurr Eilde Mor was - typical of the first Munro of the day - a nightmare. Cold, windy, out of breath. Why do I do this?
- Looking down to Coire an lochan
Still hopeful of clearer weather the route descended quite sharply before the gentle climb towards Binnein Beag.
- Binnein Beag totally clear
- Looking back to Sgurr Eilde Mor
- Binnein Mor
Everything all around was clearing beautifully. I seemed to get a burst of energy from somewhere.
- Summit of Binnein beag
- The ben refusing to show its true colours
My enthusiasm was at a high so it was onward to Binnein Mor. The suggested route was straight up the rocky face.
The route suggested was great fun. Some really good holds and quite airy but never too exposed even in the wind.
- Binnein Mor easy rocks
- View from Binnein Mor. Highest of the mamores.
- The surprisingly small summit of Binnein Mor
The suggested route was to descend and call it a day at three Munros but the extra walking to Na Gruagaichean was minimal. I felt i could reach out and touch it.
- Na Gruagaichean with the Aonach Eagach in the background
- The Buachaille stunningly illuminated by late afternoon light
- Nearing the end. Ring of Steall behind. Perhaps time for some work on that ludicrous hair!
- Days end
A thoroughly memorable walk. I gave it ten out of ten. The views in all directions were breathtaking. The mamores sit in a position where the surrounding valleys and mountains provide an amphitheatre like nowhere else in the world. I would recommend this walk to anyone.
- Drinks on the lawn with a view like this! What better way to end the day?
