Page 1 of 2

Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 11:39 pm
by rockhopper
Munros: Beinn na Lap, Stob Coire Sgriodain, Chno Dearg, Sgor Gaibhre, Carn Dearg [Corrour]
Distance: 38km
Ascent: 2,400m
Time: 14.5hrs
Attendees: me
Date: 5 - 6 May 2012

Departed from Glasgow around dawn – clear skies and nice sunrise making me hopeful of getting some decent weather. Easy drive up arriving in plenty of time to get the train just after 7am from Arrochar & Tarbet to Corrour. Clouded over on the way but mostly dry. Was a bit surprised at just how many people got off at Corrour.

The plan was to cover the three munros to the north, walk round the eastern end of Loch Ossian, replenish my water supplies and head up towards Sgor Gaibhre for a high camp. This would then allow me to complete the two southerly munros and catch the 12.31 train from Corrour back to Glasgow the next day.

Got ready and headed off on the track towards Loch Ossian

Image

The track splits just before the loch and I headed northwards following a rough track up to Ceann Caol on Beinn na Lap.

Image

The track came and went – either that or I kept losing it. Met a husband and wife on the way up – this was the wife’s second munro and they were sitting enjoying the view. Up on to the ridge then NE to the summit. Certainly didn’t take long and I was starting to adjust to the heavier overnight pack. Was already starting to realise that carrying the ice axe was a bit of overkill !

Image

Image

Image

Image

I now had a choice of route via Meal Garbh toward Stob Coire Sgriodain. The longer but easier looking route went northwards down the ridge to where the Allt Feith Thuill meets the Allt a’ Ghlas-coire where the map showed a track which could be picked up to take me part of the way up to Meal Garbh. The other way was a shorter, steeper route going NW down to the Allt then up to Meal Garbh.

I opted for the latter and headed steeply down the north side of Beinn na Lap. Mostly grassy or short heather, it was fairly dry and easy enough to get a good grip. Got to the Allt and stopped for some food before working out a route upwards. I could see a small rocky outcrop but it looked as though I could walk round it to the right.

Headed up towards it and found some animal tracks to help walk round it and continue up towards Meal Garbh.

Image

Over to Loch Ghuilbinn

Image

Image

Contoured round the west of Meal Garbh to save a little ascent and could see Stob Coire Sgriodain in the distance. Again there was a track on and off which I could use once I was round Meal Garbh. Met a walker who was with a larger party all of whom were about to go to Skye.

Over to Easain/Mheadhoin

Image

Route to Stob Coire Sgriodain

Image

Down towards Glencoe

Image

Met even more walkers on the way up to Stob Coire Sgriodain – certainly a busy place. Not long to go now.

Image

Arrived at the summit with some great views down Loch Treig, over to the neighbouring hills and up Loch Laggan.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Stopped for another break for food and photos before heading off towards Chno Dearg. Some light snow showers but they never really came to much – could see somewhat more in the distance so must have been lucky for once.

Straightforward walk partially retracing my steps (probably could have dropped the pack earlier but didn’t think about it at the time). Then NE up to the summit of Chno Dearg.

Image

Image

Now had to figure out how best to descend Chno Dearg to get to the main Loch Ossian track.

Image

Image

I’d originally thought about heading initially southwards then SE down a ridge albeit the map did show some crags which I’d need to avoid. However, on passing at the head of the corrie containing the Allt a Ghlas-choire, provided I went to the side of a large patch of steep snow, it looked like a possible more direct route down. Initially it was very steep but the grass was very dry and easy for the boots to get a good grip. Wasn’t long before I was past the steepest section and then just headed downwards towards where the main track crosses the Allt over a wee bridge.

Image

Image

Looking back to my descent route

Image

Over to Loch Ghuilbinn

Image

Got to the main track and then started the walk close to the River Ossian which took me to the eastern end of Loch Ossian past the lodge with some modern looking extensions.

Image

Image

Image

I needed to replenish my water supplies prior to heading up to camp for the night as I couldn’t see any other water sources higher up. The river was flowing very slowly but I found a faster section just before I left its side to head SE up the hill.

Image

Heavier snow flurries coming over from Beinn Eibhinn at this point and I put on the full waterproofs – it was also getting colder with the lowering sun.

Image

Found a wee burn and followed it for a bit up the hill. Of course, the snow shower disappeared and I stopped to remove the waterproofs – getting too hot.

View to Loch Ossian

Image

I found this part of the day very hard as I ascended up towards Meall Nathrach Mor – the heavy pack was now about 2-3kg heavier as I was carrying extra water for the overnight camp. The wind was coming and going and threatening to get stronger so I decided to aim for the bealach just below Stob Gaibhre which looked as though it would provide shelter.

Image

Up over Sgor Choinnich (as an afterthought I could probably have contoured round it to save some height gain) then down to the Bealach nan Sgor which sits just below the summit of Sgor Gaibhre. Found a grassy spot sheltered from the wind and set up the tent. Made my dinner, took some photos and settled down for the night. Some condensation inside the tent porch from boiling the water froze very quickly as the sky cleared.

Image

Image

Image

Some ice and frost on the outside of the tent in the morning but none inside and not a breath of wind – the bogs had also frozen over as had some of my water.

Image

Made breakfast, packed up and was away not long after 6.30am. Didn’t take long at all to get to the top of Sgor Gaibhre after picking up the track – pack being somewhat lighter now was very welcome.

Image

Image

View to Carn Dearg

Image

Towards Beinn Eibhinn

Image

From here it was a straightforward walk down over Mam Ban and up to Carn Dearg.

Image

Image

This all took a lot less time than I’d thought and I briefly thought about a detour down to Beinn Pharlagain– but quickly decided against it.

Image

Headed back down towards Loch Ossian – I’d thought there might have been a track but I couldn’t find one until I crossed over the track which goes down to Corrour Old Lodge.

Views over Loch Ossian

Image

Image
Image

I was in plenty of time for the 12.31 train and dawdled along the track past the youth hostel and back to the station.

Image

Image

Arrived on the platform just with just over 2 hours to spare before the train was due. Brewed up a cup of coffee as the station house was still closed (sign says closed for refurbishment until May so presumably at least the end of May ?).

Image

Track maintenance – landrover fitted with guides

Image

Another walker arrived and we had a good natter before we were joined by even more travellers one of whom was Alison Fox from this site. Train back to Arrochar and Tarbet through some very changeable weather conditions – looked like I had been fortunate for once with the weather.


Corrour_5-6may2012 reduced to 500 points.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 12:00 am
by dooterbang
That route over to Meall Gharb looks somewhat familiar :) ...must have been tough going up that, not as tough as An Socath though :shock:

Great views from SCS, this was the highlight when we did the 5 in March.

Good weather this time, what a bonus...but all them people!!!!

I wonder what you have planned next????

Congrats again on your last report :wink:

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 12:11 pm
by jonny616
Excellent report RH. Hope your axe was not too heavy :lol: . You'll need it if your are out this weekend.

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 12:15 pm
by quoman
Loved this report Rockhopper and some cracking photo's, i think that will be the route i will take save on the double trip.

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 7:19 pm
by pigeon
Another great report RH,got beinn na lap down as the next one for my good lady,is it boggy?She don't do bogs :lol:

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 9:15 pm
by Gavin99
A fine expedition , great photos, love that view down Loch Treig :D

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 9:21 pm
by soulminer
A cracking effort indeed RH :thumbup: Some fine images to remind you of your tour of the region :lol:
Cheers.

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 10:01 pm
by kenny3760
Looks like a great couple of days out. Really nice pictures and decent weather as well.

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 11:18 pm
by steven65
Nice report there with good fotos , i was up there a few days before you & thoroughly enjoyed myself too.

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Thu May 10, 2012 5:52 pm
by Johnny Corbett
Great stuff Rockhopper and glad to see you got some decent weather for a change. 2hrs to spare at the station? i think you could have squeezed that Corbett in :lol:

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Thu May 10, 2012 10:45 pm
by Alan S
Great report again rockhopper :D Fab pics also 8)

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Thu May 10, 2012 10:58 pm
by Stretch
Fan-freakin-tastic! Enjoyable read and brilliant photos mate.

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Thu May 10, 2012 11:08 pm
by Bod
Enjoyed reading though that more than once rockhopper. What a great expedition and fun time, like the landy on rails :) :) :)

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:22 am
by Merry-walker
Superb report and such stunning photographs. Wild camping is something I would love to try.

Maybe one day :)

Well done on a great walk

Re: Corrour, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian and back to Corrour

PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2012 2:32 pm
by BoyVertiginous
Great stuff. How does the tent hold up (Banshee 200, is it)?