Beinn Mhanach does not appear the rate too highly in some opinions, even WH describes it as an undistinguished rounded lump.
There are more hills similar to it which get more praise, some in the southern cairngorms are very much the same but on a greater scale - long walk in, surrounded by more inspiring hills, rounded shoulders but taller.
True when walking a'Chreachain and Achaladair it looks like its only purpose is to stop Loch Lyon being longer.
However I think it deserves its place - as the armchair of the Breadalbane, sit at the top and count the hills in view.
Left the car at a couple of minutes before 08.00 and walked down the estate road to a cacophony of baying hounds, what do they hunt from there - Bear.
Nice fresh morning with a little ice in the track puddles.
No real problems crossing the multitude of fords and reached the split in the track for Lurg Luibheach at 09.20.
Had a we breather just past the dam.
Left the track and followed the right bank of the stream towards the Lon na Cailliche spot height. After 1/2km of flogging through wet heavy snow and soft sodden turf I turned directly uphill to try and gain firmer ground.
In the end I gave up on trying to contour round to the .849 spot height between Mhanach and a'Chuirn and decided to go straight up a'Chuirn.
After the excitement of An Stuc in the snow, I can do this - old as I am. Stopped to put on the spikes and break out the ice axe, pick a gully and up we go.
Careful route picking, trying to balance the firm drifted deep snow in the gully and the the hard packed icy thin cover over rocks.
Minimum of two points of contact all the way up, occasionally having to break the crust with the axe to allow the feet to kick-in. It may not be Matterhorn stuff but its good enough for me, made the top at 11.33.
Sense of achievement deflated a little when realised I still had to top the munro - shift it.
Even more so after crossing the bealach and started to climb an insignificant gradient - Ouch Ouch. Calfs really tightened up after the exertions of the 'North face'.
Reached the top at 12.10 and had a brew and a wedge, nearly made my self dizzy turning round to suck in all the hills and view.
Saw my first people of the day topping out on a'Chuirn as I started to descend, roughly following the line of the Allt a'Chuirn down to Strath Tarabhan. At first the snow was crisp and firm, easy walking, then came the mushy crap and soggy turf again.
Made the track at 13.08 an stopped to refuel for the walk out
Bit of a slog on the way out but I have done a few K's in the last few weeks.
Worst hill of the day the climb up to the road and with Ian's absence - no beer.
Few minutes shy of 7 hours, good enough for me.
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Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.
Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
by Frigate » Sun Nov 24, 2013 10:47 pm
Route description: Beinn Mhanach
Munros included on this walk: Beinn Mhanach
Date walked: 24/11/2013
Time taken: 6.99 hours
Distance: 21.5 km
Ascent: 992m
1 person thinks this report is great. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).Re: Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
by GillC » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:56 am
Good one Frigate. I loved this hill, mind you,,I did it on a hot, cleg infested day back in the summer, same route as you, including a Chuirn and the return round the back. Everyone else that day seemed to just go straight up and back down. Loved the walk in too. Well done,,looks so different in the snow. 

Re: Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
by Ian Bayne » Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:55 pm
Magic !! you are certainly making your to do account disappear so thats what the hill looked like we done it when the clouds opened up all day good report and pics Kev
Re: Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
by pigeon » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:42 pm
You certainly faired better than me and Ian Kev,we got no views and totally soaked 

Re: Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
by Frigate » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:50 pm
GillC wrote:Good one Frigate. I loved this hill, mind you,,I did it on a hot, cleg infested day back in the summer, same route as you, including a Chuirn and the return round the back. Everyone else that day seemed to just go straight up and back down. Loved the walk in too. Well done,,looks so different in the snow.
Thanks GillC, I see that you are cracking out the walks recently
Re: Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
by Frigate » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:52 pm
pigeon wrote:You certainly faired better than me and Ian Kev,we got no views and totally soaked
Ian Bayne wrote:Magic !! you are certainly making your to do account disappear so thats what the hill looked like we done it when the clouds opened up all day good report and pics Kev
Winters best, time to get the soup dragon warmed up.
Re: Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
by Collaciotach » Sat Nov 30, 2013 12:14 am
A nice hill indeed especially in the snow
Good report
Good report

Re: Beinn Mhanach, magic for me
by rockhopper » Mon Dec 02, 2013 12:38 am
A long way for one but another walk well worth it in the end - brings back some memories - cheers 

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