Ardgour Horseshoe

[blanchie]

We're having a very frustrating winter!

Biding one's time for that perfect climbing day during the Xmas break, the weather never let up. I had heard that Dave Macleod had been sitting on his hands for 2 months waiting for some crisper, colder weather. It appeared a couple of weeks ago but only during the working week. Last Tuesday was spectacular but neither I or my climbing buddy could get the day off. We had a go the weekend before up Aonach Mor, but with zero visibility on the plateau, we comfortably navigated about halfway to the cairn only to decide the remainder wasn't worth the risk. Oh well, it was going to be a winter best forgotten.

With a dry but overcast weekend in prospect, I decided on a lower level route on a horseshoe that I had looked at many, many times whilst crossing the Corran ferry. Taking a tip from Ian the ferryman I drove over to Keil House and parked the car up, and walked up to the comms mast. From there keeping to the right of the burn (Macleans Towel), the steep, grassy, pathless ascent took 20 mins up to the front lip of the corrie basin.

Corran Narrows

From there I climbed the easier western flank of Eachainne. This route had many false ridges, and seeing it from the other side, is made up of small ridge folds, each of which you think is the last. No such luck, just persevere! The views from the summit would be spectacular on a good day, but were fantastic anyway. A great view up the Great Glen with Loch Lochy in the background, and southwestwards to Lismore and beyond.

Loch Linnhe and Lochy

Mull seeing some rare sun

Lots of fox droppings on the higher route, and a rather fat juicy vole scuttled about trying to avoid being dinner for others. Tracking over to Druim Sgriodain, which sadly knocks the better summit of Eachainne out of the Graham hat by virtue of 4m, the dogs startled 4 ptarmigan in their stunning white plumage. They fly like radar busting low level aircraft, amazing.

The route down was all views, mainly of other peaks in clouds, and I tried to catch a glimpse of the Paps of Jura in the distance. Apparently possible, but not today. Down steep wet grassy terrain to the comms mast, it had been a mainly pathless walk but well worth it, apart from the odd backside slapper.

Ardgour Spit

[malky_c]

Really like the look of this hill, but don't think I've seen a report on it before. Looks like some good views up and down the Great Glen

[BoyVertiginous]

Great pics/views blanchie, have long admired this hill from below on many a passing. Plan to tackle it in October this year, if not before, so thanks for the info.

malky_c - I think one of Norman Grieve's relatively recent reports might have included this hill, if memory serves, albeit with a different route of descent.

[Collaciotach]

On my home turf Beinn na h Eanchainne and Beinn Cille ...... pass her most days and know who grazes her ...don't mention the foxes John Alec will be out with the dogs

[LeithySuburbs]

Looked across to this many times and like the look of it. Cheers .