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Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Not so horrible Heasgarnich .


Postby Gavin99 » Sat Mar 17, 2012 8:44 pm

Route description: Creag Mhòr and Beinn Heasgarnich

Munros included on this walk: Beinn Heasgarnich, Creag Mhòr (Glen Lochay)

Date walked: 17/03/2012

Time taken: 7.5 hours

Distance: 23 km

Ascent: 1490m

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I had been planning on doing this walk for a while and with a decent spell of weather forecast I decided to give it a go . Having read Jonny616’s report on this round from last week there was no way I was going to attempt the solo crossing of the vast bog to the east of Beinn Heasgarnich but I had come across a couple of reports suggesting an escape from the summit in a southerly direction was a good option . I got a good early start and was parked up at Kenknock for 0630 , leaving me plenty of time for any unplanned adventures . I took the lower track heading up Glen Lochay beside the river , enjoying the Lapwings ,Oystercatchers and Curlews noisily sorting out their summer quarters .
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Sunrise over Tarmachan
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Looking up Glen Lochay towards Ben Challum
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After 6km Batavaime is reached , from here a track zigzags up to meet the higher hydro road , I crossed this and headed NW towards Sron nan Eun ,picking a line up through the crags ,the early sunshine being replaced by sleet and wind .
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Sron nan Eun
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Ridge to summit

Once on the ridge it is a short ascent to the summit of Creag Mhor, unfortunately my arrival at the cairn coincided with a mini blizzard , prompting a slow and careful descent first NW then N in very poor visibility to eventually contour around below the summit crags to reach the boggy bealach leading to Sron Tairbh .
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Creag Mhor
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Heading down to bealach
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Route ahead up Sron Tairbh

Thankfully the clouds cleared and I had a good view of the route up onto the high plateau which leads on to Beinn Heasgarnich . The climb up is steep but short and before long the slope eases and the route to the summit becomes obvious , a pleasant wander over the south top of Stob an Fhir Bhogha and a gentle ascent to the summit cairn , great views here of the Lawers and Auch Gleann hills .
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Onwards to Beinn Heasgarnich
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Auch hills
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South to Ben Challum
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East to Lawers

For the descent I headed south to pt1041 ,NN 414 377, before leaving the ridge and bearing away SE. The going here is not too bad , a few crags to avoid and some steep and wet grass but pretty easy . Eventually I reached the upper track at a small dam above Badour , NN 429 358 . From here 6km of good track leads back to Kenknock
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Heading south to pt1041
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Down towards Badour
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I was a bit apprehensive about this walk , a lot of reports mention its boggy nastiness , maybe this route avoids the worst of it , thankfully all I had to endure were a couple of comedy slips on wet grass (it’s OK nobody was looking ) and being attacked by’ Britain’s Angriest Dog ‘ back at the farm .
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Gavin99
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Re: Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Postby jimandandrea » Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:30 pm

Fab pics and a grand day you had. Best way to come off methinks to avoid bog.
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Re: Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Postby mrssanta » Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:25 am

lovely pictures what a difference if you can see where you are going :lol: :D
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Re: Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Postby ChrisW » Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:12 am

Great report Gavin, from the lovely photos I'd say looks like a really enjoyable hike....particularly if you steer clear of the bog :D
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Re: Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Postby quoman » Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:32 am

Excellent report Gavin

As "mrssanta what a difference if you can see where you are going " top picture's,
That lifts my spirits the route you took not as much of the boggy stuff to get through.
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quoman
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Re: Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Postby jonny616 » Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:15 am

What a difference a day makes. looks like a lovely walk :lol: :lol: :lol:

Must do it again some time :lol:
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Re: Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Postby Gavin99 » Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:49 pm

jimandandrea wrote:Fab pics and a grand day you had. Best way to come off methinks to avoid bog.

Cheers , it turned out a fine day .

mrssanta wrote:lovely pictures what a difference if you can see where you are going :lol: :D

It does help !

ChrisW wrote:Great report Gavin, from the lovely photos I'd say looks like a really enjoyable hike....particularly if you steer clear of the bog :D

Cheers Chris , I thought of little else !

quoman wrote:Excellent report Gavin
As "mrssanta what a difference if you can see where you are going " top picture's,
That lifts my spirits the route you took not as much of the boggy stuff to get through.

Hi Quoman , this way seems to avoid much of the hassle , there are a couple of other WH reports on this route if you are planning it .

jonny616 wrote:What a difference a day makes. looks like a lovely walk :lol: :lol: :lol:

Must do it again some time :lol:

Jonny , your troubles were the main reason I went the way I did so thanks for that :lol:
I had a look down into that northern corrie where you ended up :shock: -not nice .
Hope your next few walks are beauties to make up for the last one ,
Cheers :D
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Re: Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Postby Meatball » Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:48 pm

Good route Gavin, I'd recommend it even if I don't share your love for these hills! Hehe
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Re: Not so horrible Heasgarnich .

Postby Bod » Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:05 am

Cracking looking route Gavin, might just follow that :D :D :D
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