by Frigate » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:33 pm
Date walked: 26/02/2012
Time taken: 8.5 hours
Distance: 27.3 km
Ascent: 990m
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This weeks route was picked by Pigeon in his relentless quest for an ever increasing total of hills bagged. Team - Pigeon, Jim, Huck Finn, Ian & Jake the dug, Watty and Steve (a 1st timer for our group, hope we didn't put him off).
With an 0500 start (what's the 0 for - 0 my god its early) an uneventful drive North through the dawn, drizzle and low cloud to Newtonmore. Where the 3 cars rendezvous'd at 7.35 outside the Co-Op, which did not open until 8.0. However the enterprising staff noted the 'lean look' of Watty accompanied by Pigeon & Jim and threw open the doors early. Sales figures were good as Watty managed the weeks shop to carry up the hills.
Arrived at the car park in Glen Banchor in a boisterous mood, got booted and spurred, order of march and route discussed, noted the woods were a tip - amazing what people dump in them.
Set off up A'Chailleach on the path along the Allt a'Chaorainn, soon to be overtaken by a farmer doing his rounds on a quad bike. A fine demonstration of how to be up a hill minuets and home before the breakfast tea is stewed.
First break was at the bothy whilst inspecting the detritus left by previous visitors, then onward through the drizzle and peat bogs. The team approached the summit of A'Chailleach by two routes, the faithful following the WH route and the other by the more direct route. Something of an energy conservation question, plough through the bog or the steeper clean path ascent. Quick bite and layer adjustment on the top as the wind was freshening but not enough to part the cloud, caught up with two guys who were walking the same route.
The Allt Cuil na Caillich gulley provided enough snow to warrant producing the sledges for the younger element to stop for fun and manly challenges, do believe the stewards enquiry has to reach a verdict on the fastest race of the day.
On to Carn Sgulain along the fence line, loverly mixture of soft snow, peat bog and break-a-leg boulders, should have paid more attention to the map then would have realized that we had to plough back through it to reach the ridge to Meall a'Bhothain.
Due to the wind, in the face and 100m visibility no stopping until Carn Balloch. Check the next part of the route, fuel tank, oil and tyres. It was a long slog for most along the ridge, very wet underfoot and slippery on the boulders, head down and slog on. Then the 'massive' climb to Carn Ban and Carn Dearg loomed out the mist, well it looked massive to tired legs. The crags still contain the remains of an impressive cornice and the clag cleared just enough to show the majestic drop the the coire floor. Five minuets rest then start the descent through the melt water into coire Ballach,
Bit of a numbing walk over the peat hags to the landrover track and down to the foot bridge over the Allt Fionndrigh.
This is where the youngsters came into there own and sprinted ahead (as they do every foot of the way) to set up the executive dinning room. The normal soup challenge required a little more sparkle on this longer walk.
Pigeon donned the chefs hat and became Heston BloominHAM - Bacon Rolls with choice of condiments and kit-kats to follow, whiskey education provided by Glenfiddich 18 year old. Much needed sustenance; note to Fanny Craddock, must take oven glove next time as Pigeon had to sacrifice the fingers of one waterproof glove to the stove god. Tasted better than dinning at The Ritz.
The walk out was hard on the feet but the promise of a beer made it bearable. We had to check out the Glen Hotel for Pidge as he will be staying there in a couple of weeks.
Photos by appointment 'Huck Finn & Pigeon Camera Specialists"
Last edited by
Frigate on Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
