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As I get ever closer to completing the Corbetts I have decided to write up my notes on each outing, so as to be able to relive them better when in my twilight years. Unfortunately my recollection of some of the hills I did years ago are fairly poor and my existing notes don't help. When I did Beinn nan Oighreag in 2002 I simply wrote "windy on top and some false summits" - hardly a fair description of any hill.
So, as Sunday's weather was looking pretty good I set off at an early hour and I was soon parked east of the hill on the road between Bridge of Balgie and Loch Tay, ready to go. Most of the walk reports suggest doing this from the south with Meall Ghaordaidh but my previous walk had been from the east so that's what I wanted to repeat.
Crossing the stream by a simple bridge I headed straight up and onto the eastern slopes of Creag Dubh .
The going was not too bad underfoot, most of the recent snow having gone by now on the lower slopes, so it was a case of head down and keep moving. There were, however, terrific views of the Lawers range and Meall nan Tarmachan to compensate. As I approached the slopes leading up to the broad summit ridge of Beinn nan Oighreag I was treated to a lovely golden eagle sighting, as it slowly glided round and away over the ridge.
The broad summit ridge has a track of sorts to follow and I soon found myself by the first of the false" cairns - this one very nicely decorated on top with quartz.
I had forgotten what a pleasant walk this hill was - good underfoot, and stunning views all around. A hill worth so much more than just "windy on top and some false summits" as a walk report. From the first cairn a slight descent and climb brought me to the summit proper, which is not the large cairn, but the large boulder at the west end (I know cause I double-checked with my Altimeter watch)
The views to the north and west were fantastic. This may not be a particularly inspiring hill by itself but its central position mean you can take in a lot of great hills from the top - I even saw Ben Nevis was popping its big snowy head up. The walk back to the car was just as enjoyable with cracking views east and I could check out my next target - Meall nan Maigheach - from which I had a good view back to see what I had climbed earlier and get a better idea of the size of the ridge of Beinn nan Oighreag.
