walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Glen Lyon 4

Glen Lyon 4


Postby steven65 » Sat Nov 12, 2011 2:26 pm

Route description: Càrn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Càrn Mairg & Creag Mhòr

Munros included on this walk: Càrn Gorm, Càrn Mairg, Creag Mhòr (Meall na Aighean), Meall Garbh (Càrn Mairg)

Date walked: 07/11/2011

Time taken: 8.5 hours

Distance: 18 km

Ascent: 1373m

5 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).


our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


Following a great day out in the Arrochar Alps on Saturday 5 Nov & the continuing excellent weather I decided at the last minute to take a days holiday from work on Monday 7 Nov & bag some more hills before winter truly arrives !
Like most folk here on WH (correct?) I like reading walk reports & getting information online in order to have an ongoing list of hills “to do “.
So I decided to venture up to Glen Lyon & tackle the 4 munros from Invervar.
Following Pollyh33s` recent walk report resulting in no access I checked with the hillphones site re any stalking.This proved unclear so I phoned the estate office & left a message.
Chesthill Estate 01887 877 267 - their website is quite informative.
I didn`t get any reply -perhaps because it was the w/end ? I still haven`t had a reply , but I believe it`s my responsibility to check & not the estates to inform me ?
I sent Polly a PM here on the site & thanks to her reply I was off to Invervar.
Leaving home early I passed through Callander at 635 am , a wee word of warning here – the fabulous bakers shop on the main street just past the square doesn`t open till 7am , so no take away coffee or pie. However Tesco express in Callander opens at 6am, so I got 4 pork pies for later – Oskars favourite. It now got very foggy going past Loch Lubnaig, totally clearing at Lochearnhead , but towards Killin it was pea soup again & didn`t lift. However once the road cleared the wooded section approaching Ben Lawers the fog was well below & for the rest of the day ALL views were tremendous.
Image
Over Loch Tay taken from the bridge near Edramcky Burn
Continuing on the car park at Ben Lawers has been moved slightly north due to ongoing construction work, on a wee side road 1 car was parked close to Tarmachan the owner probably still asleep in his tent next to the car.
Image
Passing Lochan na Lairige I stopped to take this photo , from here on the road was pure white with frost & occasional ice patches . There were no tyre tracks through it now , a car in front having stopped at the accesss point for Meall Corranich.
Image
Going on down as I turned a corner slowly a magnificent stag was only 20 feet from the car on his own ,I got a foto of him before he walked off slowly.
I eventually arrived at Invervar & got ready , I was 1st in the wee car park & set off about 830. Across from the car park a large metal gate leads to a track way to the hill , a cottage is on your L/H side , you then pass this buggy all frosted up this morning.
Image
Reading Pollys post of her walk this foto reminded me of a similar thing from my now seemingly far of youth, i`m sure those of you 40 + will remember it from Saturday mornings eh ?
Image
10 points & top of the class if you said The Banana Splits !
So past the wee buggy through another wooden gate , through the trees then another wooden gate leading onto the track on the east side of the Invervar Burn. The track leads up and on towards the hill, after a while you cross a dodgy wee bridge over the burn & continue around the edge of the forrest area.
Image
Continuing on the old shielings shown on the map are clearly made out as well as an old shed beside them.
Not long after here I made an error. I continued bearing west, however I was following the burn on a track towards An Sgorr leading to Coire na Lairige.
I had lost the route up to Carn Gorm , visibility & conditions were 100% the mistake was totally mine.
Image
Carn Gorm taken from near old shielings past forested area
Image
An Sgorr from near the same point
Image
Looking back down to Glen Lyon
The names and look of the 2 hills in front of me should have convinced me of my mistake – but no. With hindsight I should have taken to higher ground leading to Carn Gorm after the end of the forrested area instead of following the burn higher into the coire. Realising my mistake I continued to An Sgorr, there was a pathway that lead to a wee cleared area with signs of recent campfires. Also here was a tall timber pole with a hoop used to hold fire beating stick things (name escapes me).
Image
Ann Sgorr closer up now.
Image
Glen Lyon again
I traversed around An Sgorr to the bealach leading up to Carn Gorm rather than go back down and re ascend, this was easily done.
Image
From bealach at Ann Sgorr before ascending Carn Gorm –to Glencoe
Image
Again from the bealach
Whilst traversing I saw a lone walker going up the shoulder to Carn Gorm taking the proper route, as I made my way up to the summit he was coming down off Carn Gorm. We had a chat , the guy had seen me & thought I was doing the hills anti clockwise – the estate asks that you walk in a clockwise direction. I explained my error sheepishly and we parted wishing each other a good day in the hills. The detour had probably cost me about an hour, I was angry with myself but glad to have fixed it.
As per the recent postings on WH “not a novice any more “ mistakes /errors happen , I by no means at all am an expert ,one of my favourite sayings is “you learn something everyday” – even at my age 46 !!
Image
Summit of Carn Gorm
Image
Summit of Carn Gorm overlooking Glen Lyon
So on top of Carn Gorm – at last , a well deserved coffee for me & a pork pie for Oskar ,
Image
MMMmmmhhhhh Pork Pies
I had a short 15 minute break taking some fotos of the amazing views, then off to the bealach heading for Meall Garbh. I could see the guy i`d met approaching the summit of Meall Garbh as I descended.
Image
This section of the route was easy to follow along a line of rusty old fence posts.
Meall Garbh behind Ann Sgorr in foreground from Carn Gorm
Image
Looking back to Carn Gorm en route to Meall Garbh
Image
Meall Garbh with Schiehallion behind
I continued following the line of fence posts to Meall a` Bharr and had another break there for something to eat & a coffee. Shortly after heading for Carn Mairg I met a couple coming in the opposite direction , the wind had picked up a wee bit here but the sun was still warm , they were quite keen on Oskar – we had a chat and went on our way.
Image
Schiehallion again. Image
Oskar in the wind with Sch…. You know who !
Image
and again looking to Rannoch Moor
Image
Carn Mairg in the distance with Creag Mhor to right of foto
Image
Closer now Carn Mairg & Creag Mhor on left
The views over to Schiehallion from Carn Mairg were tremendous especially on such a clear day , amazing.
Image
Image
Carn Mairg summit looking to Creag Mhor
Descending Carn Mairg I took a well trodden path down via the boulder field / rocks it was well defined and easily managed by me & Oskar.
Image
approaching the bealach / Gleann Pollaidh looking back to Carn Mairg
It was now getting a bit colder as I pushed onto Creag Mhor the sun though still high was losing its heat. Approaching the final pull to Creag Mhor the pathway foot steps / holds were iced over – the sun never having hit this side of the hill at all, also the views down to Glen Lyon showed the valley floor pure white, the frost below the mist / cloud hadn`t melted at all during the day.
Image
East from the summit of Creag Mhor
Image
Summit views over to Carn Mairg
Image
And of Schiehallion from summit too
Coming off the summit heading down I could see 3 maybe 4 people on top of Carn Marig , presuming they were coming down via Creag Mhor they would have finished in the dark as light was fading fast now.
Image
Frosty Glen Lyon , sun not freeing frost all day long
Image
And again a wee bit lower down this time.
Finally a wonderful picture of Carn Mairg with the setting sun setting it ablaze.
Image
The drop off Creag Mhor down to Invervar is quite steep in places , false summits can be a pain in the **** going up , but this was the 1st time i`d been annoyed with false drops going down , it really did seem steep – to me anyway.
Apart from my mistake in direction at the start of the day this outing probably rates as my best day in the mountains yet thanks to Mr High Pressue.
User avatar
steven65
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 320
Munros:262   Corbetts:3
Fionas:2   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Mar 29, 2010
Location: Alloa

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby Redrock » Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:15 pm

A great report Steven, you did well to fit this walk into the short hours of daylight. And what cracking weather you got too! Your photos capture it all! 8) I love those shots looking down into the mists of Glen Lyon as you descended. :D Finding the route up Carn Gorm is not as easy as it seems - I found I was heading over rough ground a little too far north before I finally reached the ridge up Carn Gorm when I did this round. Did Oskar eat all the pork pies, by the way? :lol:
User avatar
Redrock
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 245
Munros:164   Corbetts:11
Fionas:3   Donalds:5
Sub 2000:8   
Joined: Nov 30, 2010
Location: Cowdenbeath

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby goth_angel » Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:23 pm

Nice report - some lovely pictures. A big walk for a short day. I also fouled up the ascent of Carn Gorm and had to cut up off path. Plus agree with you that the walk off hill 4 is very steep in places.
User avatar
goth_angel
 
Posts: 350
Munros:101   Corbetts:9
Fionas:4   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:13   Hewitts:84
Wainwrights:179   
Joined: May 13, 2008
Location: Too far awav from Scotland (Kent)

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby pollyh33 » Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:55 pm

Hi Steven,

I've been looking out for this report ever since you said you were going. Boy oh boy did you have much better weather than me! Your photographs are amazing! And there was me thinking there were very few views to be had :lol: :lol:

And yes I do read other people's reports and think I'm definitely doing that one next, but then I change my mind when I read another good one! :D With this time of year it will be sunset times that will determine where I end up next :D

Great stuff but pity about the pork pies :( :( :lol:

P X
User avatar
pollyh33
Walker
 
Posts: 2577
Munros:282   Corbetts:18
Fionas:5   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:1   
Joined: Mar 30, 2011
Location: Rutherglen

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby pollyh33 » Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:58 pm

Steven,

I've just remembered that you live in Alloa. Do you go along to support Alloa FC? and have they improved since Paul Hartley became their manager?
User avatar
pollyh33
Walker
 
Posts: 2577
Munros:282   Corbetts:18
Fionas:5   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:1   
Joined: Mar 30, 2011
Location: Rutherglen

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby SMRussell » Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:19 pm

Great report Steven! Nice to see some of the views from Carn Gorm and Meall Garbh - when we did this circuit these first two Munros were shrouded in mist.

Also Oskar the dog is too cute!
User avatar
SMRussell
 
Posts: 530
Munros:184   Corbetts:20
Fionas:16   Donalds:34
Sub 2000:21   Hewitts:122
Wainwrights:103   Islands:11
Joined: Aug 8, 2011
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby steven65 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:30 pm

Redrock wrote:A great report Steven, you did well to fit this walk into the short hours of daylight. And what cracking weather you got too! Your photos capture it all! 8) I love those shots looking down into the mists of Glen Lyon as you descended. :D Finding the route up Carn Gorm is not as easy as it seems - I found I was heading over rough ground a little too far north before I finally reached the ridge up Carn Gorm when I did this round. Did Oskar eat all the pork pies, by the way? :lol:


Hi Redrock , the final score was 2-2 on the pork pie front :lol:
i was lucky to have such good weather & a fine clear day up there.Great !
Steven
User avatar
steven65
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 320
Munros:262   Corbetts:3
Fionas:2   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Mar 29, 2010
Location: Alloa

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby steven65 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:32 pm

goth_angel wrote:Nice report - some lovely pictures. A big walk for a short day. I also fouled up the ascent of Carn Gorm and had to cut up off path. Plus agree with you that the walk off hill 4 is very steep in places.



Aye , Goth Angel a big walk on what is now shortening days , Roll on 21/12 & the sun coming back to us.
User avatar
steven65
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 320
Munros:262   Corbetts:3
Fionas:2   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Mar 29, 2010
Location: Alloa

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby steven65 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:45 pm

pollyh33 wrote:Hi Steven,

I've been looking out for this report ever since you said you were going. Boy oh boy did you have much better weather than me! Your photographs are amazing! And there was me thinking there were very few views to be had :lol: :lol:

And yes I do read other people's reports and think I'm definitely doing that one next, but then I change my mind when I read another good one! :D With this time of year it will be sunset times that will determine where I end up next :D

Great stuff but pity about the pork pies :( :( :lol:

P X


The weather definetely made my day Polly , next in line is hopefully Beinn Bhuidhe at Loch Fyne or back to Dalamlly to complete Beinn Eunaich.
Re football , although currently living in Alloa ( for my sins :lol: ) im actually a proud son-of-the-rock ie. Stirling born & bred , but neither Stirling Albion or Alloa Athletic feature in my thoughts , i look to 1 of the Glasgow teams , come HAIL,rain, or shine :lol: :lol:
User avatar
steven65
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 320
Munros:262   Corbetts:3
Fionas:2   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Mar 29, 2010
Location: Alloa

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby steven65 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:49 pm

SMRussell wrote:Great report Steven! Nice to see some of the views from Carn Gorm and Meall Garbh - when we did this circuit these first two Munros were shrouded in mist.

Also Oskar the dog is too cute!


Hi SMR , for me the views make my day , although i`d need to live to 143 to get a clear day for ALL the hills still to follow.
And yes , i think Oskar knows he`s cute !!!
User avatar
steven65
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 320
Munros:262   Corbetts:3
Fionas:2   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Mar 29, 2010
Location: Alloa

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby Kevin29035 » Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:24 am

Hey I just found this thread and thought the weather was strikingly similar to the day I was on Lawers - and it was the same day! I must have been the car that stopped at Meall a' Choire Leith access, I parked up at half 6 and the road was sparkling with frost, wasn't sure whether it was safe or not, but it was absolutely OK.
User avatar
Kevin29035
 
Posts: 1221
Munros:173   Corbetts:173
Fionas:73   Donalds:17
Sub 2000:92   Hewitts:8
Joined: Sep 13, 2008
Location: Glasgow

Re: Glen Lyon 4

Postby steven65 » Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:45 pm

Hi Kevin ,it was a grand day to be on the hills .I`d happily for settle for 4 / 5 winter months of days like that !
No hills for me this w / end or the previous 2 w/ends :( oncall at work & busy too !!!
But next week if the weathers not horrific i`ll be off somewhere - looking forward to it , all work & no play etc etc
User avatar
steven65
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 320
Munros:262   Corbetts:3
Fionas:2   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Mar 29, 2010
Location: Alloa

5 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: mariansharkey, nigheandonn, Pammie1mac, PeteR, ppeters, sherinedeakin and 82 guests