Bla Bheinn (for a run!!)
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 4:10 pm2nd Munro - 281 to go!
My first Munro was Ben Wyvis last summer which i had decided to put on the running shoes and run as much as possible. The same idea here - not a great decision!!
Decent car park around from Torrin.
Changed into hill clothing (with runners) and the rain started.
A decent path up the first 2km with water to the left. The rain had been coming down hard and the 'burn' was in full flow. A couple of decent water-falls along the way.
The designated path crosses 2 burns approx 300m apart - i couldn't get across the first at the suggested point - too deep for runners! So i walked on a bit to a more suitable cross point. I soon met back up with the path and the real climb started.
The path not too clear in places but (with map) continued heading up with the water on the left.
Rain had relented and i took down my hood to take in the views - across loch slapin - great views even with not the best visibility (photos show the grey view)
At 'the very big stone' - wasnt clear where to head for, so i just kept heading 'up!' The grassy terrain turns to scree and then bigger rock. I found out later that this wasnt the correct route!!!!
Probably had went too far to the left which meant quite a bit of scrambling onto the ridge.
I am not an expert by any means so all i had to go on was Ben Wyvis (a breeze compared to this!)
Lots of rock later, and hale stones, wind gusts, and a change of top due to lots of sweat, i had got to a point where wasnt sure where the top was. I decided enough was enough - due to uncertain weather and silly shoes! So i turned a headed down . . . . . .
But had a change of mind!!! I wasnt coming all this way to turn back - stubborn as a very stubborn mule.
I decided to give it 20mins more, so started (rock) climbing again! Eventually after 2hrs i found a sort of flat bit where the views all arond were stunning. I could now see the Cuillins, as well as acrss slapin to the east, and open views south.
I could see the top away to the north, but could also see another drop / climb to get there. I headed north. Till this point i had not seen another soul, until i heard voices (real ones!) from below. A group of 4 had ascended the 'correct' path, and were descending via the route i had come (suggested that not a great idea to go down the way they had come up) Their route ascended nearer to the peak and missed the southeast ridge.
To get across from my point there appear to be 2 options - 1/ along a ridge with a small gap the only tricky bit or 2/ down gulley with loose stones, and back up again.
I choses option 1/ on the basis that the group of 4 had a sling out which they kindly offered to leave in place to get me over, and back!! This gave me the confidence to head on to the peak at 928m.
The views on a clear day must be amazing, and even on today with slight grey, worth the hike.
Distance to the top 6km
Time 2hr 15mins
I desended more or less the way i had come up give or take a few hairy drops, and once i had found the path (near "the big stone") plain sailing from there.
Distance down 4.5km
Time 1hr 30mins
Overall a lot different to my only other Munro (Wyvis). Much more like a proper hill with rock - lot of it!!
And not a hill suitable for running!!
My first Munro was Ben Wyvis last summer which i had decided to put on the running shoes and run as much as possible. The same idea here - not a great decision!!
Decent car park around from Torrin.
Changed into hill clothing (with runners) and the rain started.
A decent path up the first 2km with water to the left. The rain had been coming down hard and the 'burn' was in full flow. A couple of decent water-falls along the way.
The designated path crosses 2 burns approx 300m apart - i couldn't get across the first at the suggested point - too deep for runners! So i walked on a bit to a more suitable cross point. I soon met back up with the path and the real climb started.
The path not too clear in places but (with map) continued heading up with the water on the left.
Rain had relented and i took down my hood to take in the views - across loch slapin - great views even with not the best visibility (photos show the grey view)
At 'the very big stone' - wasnt clear where to head for, so i just kept heading 'up!' The grassy terrain turns to scree and then bigger rock. I found out later that this wasnt the correct route!!!!
Probably had went too far to the left which meant quite a bit of scrambling onto the ridge.
I am not an expert by any means so all i had to go on was Ben Wyvis (a breeze compared to this!)
Lots of rock later, and hale stones, wind gusts, and a change of top due to lots of sweat, i had got to a point where wasnt sure where the top was. I decided enough was enough - due to uncertain weather and silly shoes! So i turned a headed down . . . . . .
But had a change of mind!!! I wasnt coming all this way to turn back - stubborn as a very stubborn mule.
I decided to give it 20mins more, so started (rock) climbing again! Eventually after 2hrs i found a sort of flat bit where the views all arond were stunning. I could now see the Cuillins, as well as acrss slapin to the east, and open views south.
I could see the top away to the north, but could also see another drop / climb to get there. I headed north. Till this point i had not seen another soul, until i heard voices (real ones!) from below. A group of 4 had ascended the 'correct' path, and were descending via the route i had come (suggested that not a great idea to go down the way they had come up) Their route ascended nearer to the peak and missed the southeast ridge.
To get across from my point there appear to be 2 options - 1/ along a ridge with a small gap the only tricky bit or 2/ down gulley with loose stones, and back up again.
I choses option 1/ on the basis that the group of 4 had a sling out which they kindly offered to leave in place to get me over, and back!! This gave me the confidence to head on to the peak at 928m.
The views on a clear day must be amazing, and even on today with slight grey, worth the hike.
Distance to the top 6km
Time 2hr 15mins
I desended more or less the way i had come up give or take a few hairy drops, and once i had found the path (near "the big stone") plain sailing from there.
Distance down 4.5km
Time 1hr 30mins
Overall a lot different to my only other Munro (Wyvis). Much more like a proper hill with rock - lot of it!!
And not a hill suitable for running!!
