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Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 7:19 pm
by Milesy
With this recent spell of blue skies I knew I wanted to get out this weekend and today was the only day I could get out but with the Scotrail stikes the west highland railway was not running so I had a think of different options and Goatfell on Arran was my decision.

Left the house at half seven and got the train to Glasgow and then another train straight to Ardrossan Harbour, and on the Ferry across to Arran.

It was a bit of a misty start to the day so the view across to Arran was a little obscured with only the tops of the mountains poking out the top.

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Leaving the mainland behind in the same mist. Feels like open sea.

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Beautiful blue skies and clear waters make for a pleasent sailing across.

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Getting closer and Goatfell can be seen poking out the mist.

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Arriving in Brodick.

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On landing at port a bus was sitting waiting, and five minutes later I was dropped off at Cladach near Brodick Castle, which is the start of the trail.

A little great tit.

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The way to Goatfell is clearly signposted through the plantations.

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Where I am going comes into view going through the forrest.

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Leaving the bay behind.

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Getting closer.

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The sky has started to fill up with some clouds and obscuring the summit. There is very little wind and the clouds are moving slowly so I hope they clear off by the time I get there.

Above the snow line now the only sign of a path is footprints in the snow, which is fresh and powdery so I follow on in the stead. The ridge to the summit is visible.

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Brodick bay below the snow line.

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The slope is steep and very slippery, but I make the decision not to put on my crampons and rely on step kicking and my ice axe to get me up and while making my way up the slope the peace was disturbed by a group of guys coming down in jeans and wellies and I wonder how they managed to get up.

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At the top and the sky has pockets of cloud everywhere spoiling the views to Ireland and the Islands.

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The bay far below.

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The view point table. Not much use though.

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Looking down to the bealach known as "the saddle" between North Goatfell and the neighbouring corbett Cir Mhor.

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Over to the mainland.

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Dont fall!

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Peaceful waters.

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Across to Beinn Tarsuinn, another fine Corbett which I plan on coming back to climb.

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A fine ridge between Cir Mhor and Beinn Tarsuinn.

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Across North Goatfell to its most northely top. I dont have a lot of time today to catch the ferry back so the tops will stay for another day.

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Down the Coire-Lan which ends at the village called Corrie.

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Leaving the summit behind.

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Heading back down the harbour.

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Sunset from the top deck of the ferry.

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A well deserved beer.

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A fine day outside the highlands and further proof that there is more to the hills than the Munros, and that the obsessive baggers are missing out on good days out.

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 9:15 pm
by malky_c
This looks great. I still haven't had a good day high up on Arran. Have either ended up on the lower hills, or in the mist and rain. In fact if you'd stayed on the bus to Sannox, you could've probably done the traverse of North Goatfell etc. I did this and enjoyed it even though the weather was crap.

On another note, my mum in law used to live in Troon and have the hills of Arran as the view from her lounge. Have seen some fairly spectacular sunsets from there, but very rarely as much snow as you had.

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:43 pm
by delberto
nice report- very inspiring.
will go up goatfell again in the summer.

well done

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:54 pm
by DonnyW
Hey... where did all that snow come from ? :shock:

Glad you made Arran Milesy ..its a great place and the rock is good for climbing.. even in the wet. You have put me in the mood to try the A chir ridge again once the summer sailings start. If you like..I will give you a shout when I do . . assuming you dont mind crossing it with an old man :shock: :lol:

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:22 am
by tonydafonz
Excellent report and great pics too. Also demonstrates that you don't have to take the car everywhere (i'm the worst for it... :? )

Really was a great day everywhere, I was up Ben More and everyone I passed was beaming from ear to ear, even despite the hard slog in the snow!

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:25 am
by happyhiker
some cracking pictures - looks like a good day :D

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:53 am
by CurlyWurly
Awesome report. Not been to any of the islands yet but this one will be high on the list.
I agree with what you say about there being other great hills out there rather than just Munro's.
My favourite peak, The Brack, is only a Corbett, but amazing none the less.

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:33 pm
by The Summiteer
Hi

Looks like you had a great trip. Really like your photos - your a 'Man on a Mission' with all these hill trips.Keep up the good work!

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2011 3:59 pm
by GillC
Hi Milesy - Heading to Goatfell next weekend,,been told to avoid the saddle approach after recent rainfall so hopefully the ascent from Cladach will be a bit better. Would have loved to have been in the snow,,looks gorgeous.

Well done,,great pics and report,

GillC

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2011 8:20 pm
by Del246
Great report and pics. I was ment to do this in January but it got cancelled the day before because of the weather. After seeing your report I need to put it back on my to do list !!

Re: Goatfell - Arran

PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2011 9:15 pm
by EACHANN AN DOIRE
EXCELLENT PHOTOS - THESE ARE THE KIND OF PICS THAT INSPIRE ME TO GO OUT WALKING. CHEERS