The Creag Meagaidh Five under the Sun and Moon

[GariochTom]

Day One

beinn-teallach--beinn-a-chaora.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

The further west we drove, the hotter it was, and by the time we were alongside Loch Laggan the my car's thermometer said it was 30.5 degrees.

We left a car at the Aberarder car park then I drove us to a layby at Roughburn, the start point of our walk.

After a bit of faffing we set off up the track, though the plantation forest. Slowly, because of the heat.

I spotted a path leading deep into the woods to the north, off the main forestry track. It wasn't on the map but I thought it might be a shortcut, cutting a corner off the broadly winding main track. Turns out it wasn't - after a short while the path started wending its way towards the south, and we realised it might actually lead back to the road. So we retraced our footsteps and rejoined the main track.

Up, out of the shelter of the woods and into the intense heat. The clegs were annoying - I hadn't before realised that they draw blood…

The ascent of the southern shoulder of Beinn Teallach was hard-going in the heat, but we were rewarded by good views, including across to Loch Treig.


View from the southern slopes of Beinn Teallach by GariochT, on Flickr


View from Beinn Teallach by GariochT, on Flickr

Two hours after reaching the summit of Beinn Teallach, we were making slow progress up towards Beinn a' Chaorainn. 9.30pm and still hot! There were good views across to the Grey Corries and Ben Nevis in the haze from here.


Across to The Grey Corries and Ben Nevis by GariochT, on Flickr

I left my rucksack under a large boulder above Coire Buidhe, and continued along the ridge to Beinn a' Chaorainn.


Towards Ben Alder and the shoulder of Beinn a' Chaorainn by GariochT, on Flickr

We had timed our arrival perfectly (by chance rather than by plan) - the Sun was just setting. Sublime. We took lots of photographs!


Beinn a' Chaorainn Sunset by GariochT, on Flickr


Sunset from Beinn a' Chaorainn by GariochT, on Flickr


Sunset from Beinn a' Chaorainn by GariochT, on Flickr


Beinn a' Chaorainn Summit Cairn by GariochT, on Flickr

Sunset from Beinn a' Chaorainn by GariochT, on Flickr


Sunset and clouds on fire by GariochT, on Flickr


Sunset by GariochT, on Flickr

As the Sun was setting, the Moon became brighter, ready to dominate the night sky.


The moon over Beinn a' Chaorainn by GariochT, on Flickr

Time to head back down the ridge, as the light was gradually fading. It took me a while to find my bag amidst the jumble of rocks above the Corrie Buidhe, even though I marked the spot with my GPS.

We bivvied on the spur that leads down to Bealach a' Bharnish. I had forgotten my sleeping mat, and didn't have my tarp with me, but still had a very comfortable sleep on a bed of moss, with a hummock of moss for my pillow.

Day Two

creag-meagaidh--stob-poite-coi.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

I woke around 4:30am, and already there was a reddish glow above the distant hills. The Sun emerged beside Creag Meagaidh just after 5am, and I enjoyed the view from the comfort of my bivi bag.


First light by GariochT, on Flickr


Bivi Sunrise by GariochT, on Flickr

5:30am - Time to get up. We had decided to have an early start so that much of the day's walking could be finished before it got too hot.

Glacier-like clouds filled much of the distant glens.


Beinn a' Chaorainn and Glacial Clouds in the Morning by GariochT, on Flickr


Beinn Alder in the distance by GariochT, on Flickr

We descended to the bealach and then started to make our way up the western flanks of Creag Meagaidh. Hard-going again. There were deer on the horizon, but they soon spotted me and ran away.


The western flanks of Creag Meagaidh by GariochT, on Flickr


Deer on Creag Meagaidh by GariochT, on Flickr


Deer on Creag Meagaidh by GariochT, on Flickr


Running deer on Creag Meagaidh by GariochT, on Flickr


View southwest from the slopes of Creag Meagaidh by GariochT, on Flickr


Grass and Sun on Creag Meagaidh by GariochT, on Flickr

As we neared the summit we had good views across to the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy; to a wind farm; and to the distant peaks of Glen Coe and the Mamores.


The Parallel Roads of Glen Roy by GariochT, on Flickr


Glen Coe, Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin, Stob Coire Easain and the Mamores in the distance, from the slopes of Creag Meagaidh by GariochT, on Flickr


On Creag Meagaidh by GariochT, on Flickr


Lochan a' Choire and the Allt Coire Ardair by GariochT, on Flickr

After spending some time at the summit we continued east to the rim of Coire Ardair, admiring Lochan Uaine on our way. It was somewhat surprising to find a snow patch still up here, given the current temperatures!


Still snow up here, on probably the hottest day of the year! by GariochT, on Flickr


Lochan Uaine from the saddle above Coire Ardair by GariochT, on Flickr

We descended to the bealach above The Window, then progressed uphill towards Stob Poite Coire Ardair, before continuing along the fine ridge enjoying excellent views into the corrie and down to Loch Laggan.


'The Window' above Coire Ardair by GariochT, on Flickr


Lochan a' Choire from Above by GariochT, on Flickr


Loch Laggan and Coire Ardair by GariochT, on Flickr

It was a relief to find that the ascent to the final munro, Carn Liath, was gentler than most of the other ascents!
The descent to the main track in the glen below was probably more challenging - especially over the scree and through the 'jungle' below Na Cnapanan.


Coire Ardair by GariochT, on Flickr


Dragonfly by GariochT, on Flickr

Another rewarding bivi!

[litljortindan]

Some really good evening photos.

[weaselmaster]

Impressive photos
I love the ethereal white clouds overhead in some of the sunset pics
Thanks for putting these up

[Stretch]

Excellent stuff! Really like the clouds on fire pic!

[mrssanta]

Excellent

[kev_russ]

Barry

[GariochTom]

Thanks all

Barry

Being English, I'd not heard that phrase before so had to look it up

[dooterbang]

Some cracking photos

A fit bloke like you could have done all 5 in a day