Solitude, hailstones and stunning vistas
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:04 pmSaturday night found us humming and hawing about the weather forecast for the next day – eventually the humming won out and we set off – not too early 'cos the forecast was for the day to improve as it went on, with low cloud lifting from the summits. And, yet again, MWIS was spot on. 
We arrived at Kilfinnan about 10:15 and eventually got going about 11:00 after I'd taken photos at the start – set off – remembered I'd left the camera behind - trogged back to get it – and set off again.
The start is part of the Great Glen way – easy track and well signposted.
We found the famous shoe post (toe post??) and set off into the woods.
This bit is steep – stopping to photograph flowers, waterfalls (anything that takes your fancy really) is necessary to keep the huff n puff count under control.
Once out of the woods the track eases off, but by the time we reached bealach another of MWIS's predications had been realised – hail showers.
Still we did get some brilliant views – I think I spotted Sgurr na Ciche between the showers – a joy to come!
The path up Sron a'Choire Ghairbh makes short work of the steep hillside
and the view from the top – yes between yet more hail showers – were fantastic,
enough to make me contemplate doing this again on a really clear day. I don't think I've seen Ben Nevis looking so commanding, but the whole collection of mountains from Ben Nevis to the Grey Corries were great from this vantage point.
After photos stops, dog treats and debates about which mountain was which we headed back to the bealach and some lunch – eaten in yet another hail shower.
The path up to Mealll na Teanga is clear enough (when there's no snow) but very boggy until the ground starts to rise after the bealach between Meall Dubh and Meall na Teanga. From then on it's steepish but straightforward. The views form the top are even more breathtaking than on Sron a'Choire Ghairbh – good enough to come back on a clear day and really see them.
Heading back down the route we'd come we mused on the fact that we'd had the hills to ourselves this day – an increasingly rare occurrence in the Scottish mountains. The WH stats show these hills rank 169 and 170 out of the 283 in terms of frequency climbed – yet they provide two of the best vantage points for viewing much more popular hills, whether that is the giants of the Nevis and Aonach ranges or the beautiful remote hills of Lochs Quoich and Arkaig and out to the Rough Bounds.
On the final walk back we walked into a serious downpour but even that was not without its splendours.
We arrived at Kilfinnan about 10:15 and eventually got going about 11:00 after I'd taken photos at the start – set off – remembered I'd left the camera behind - trogged back to get it – and set off again.
- Looking towards the South Laggan lock
The start is part of the Great Glen way – easy track and well signposted.
- Variation on the Startrite advert?
We found the famous shoe post (toe post??) and set off into the woods.
- The way to go
This bit is steep – stopping to photograph flowers, waterfalls (anything that takes your fancy really) is necessary to keep the huff n puff count under control.
- Flower break
Once out of the woods the track eases off, but by the time we reached bealach another of MWIS's predications had been realised – hail showers.
- All Hail Macbeth??
Still we did get some brilliant views – I think I spotted Sgurr na Ciche between the showers – a joy to come!
- View west
The path up Sron a'Choire Ghairbh makes short work of the steep hillside
- Stalkers' path
and the view from the top – yes between yet more hail showers – were fantastic,
- The great glen
enough to make me contemplate doing this again on a really clear day. I don't think I've seen Ben Nevis looking so commanding, but the whole collection of mountains from Ben Nevis to the Grey Corries were great from this vantage point.
- Renewables
- Meall Fuar-mhonaidh from Stron a' Choire Gharbh
- Jumping for biccies
After photos stops, dog treats and debates about which mountain was which we headed back to the bealach and some lunch – eaten in yet another hail shower.
The path up to Mealll na Teanga is clear enough (when there's no snow) but very boggy until the ground starts to rise after the bealach between Meall Dubh and Meall na Teanga. From then on it's steepish but straightforward. The views form the top are even more breathtaking than on Sron a'Choire Ghairbh – good enough to come back on a clear day and really see them.
- Meall na Teanga summit
Heading back down the route we'd come we mused on the fact that we'd had the hills to ourselves this day – an increasingly rare occurrence in the Scottish mountains. The WH stats show these hills rank 169 and 170 out of the 283 in terms of frequency climbed – yet they provide two of the best vantage points for viewing much more popular hills, whether that is the giants of the Nevis and Aonach ranges or the beautiful remote hills of Lochs Quoich and Arkaig and out to the Rough Bounds.
On the final walk back we walked into a serious downpour but even that was not without its splendours.
- Farewell gesture
Your photos are great - what camera have you? I'm about to upgrade but finding the huge choice a bit overwheming. I need something small enough not to go in rucksack, that can do point and shoot if I need it to, produces great images and preferably with an optical view finder - not that I'm asking for much! 
Still it does reinforce things I really enjoyed in the day - and gets me to own up to the huffin side of it too.