Roamin' in the Ghlomin'

[JimboJim]

First hike with Big Jesper for a wee while and now having to pick targets further away. This time heading for the three Munro's of Beinn a'Ghlo, near Blair Atholl. Was an early start, but this helps avoid much traffic and saw us there in less than 2 & a half hrs - well, almost there! We parked in among trees, just before a rickety looking gate, which in actual fact, is about half a mile before the 'final,' gate.

Carn Liath looking suspiciously clear.

It was looking quite hazy, though we could see Carn Liath and the path/erosion scar upwards reasonably clearly ahead, with a few whisps of mist higher up. We soon left the track to make our way onto the hill open hill, where it is a bit tricky to find a crossing point over some bogs. Before long, Big Jesper was ploughing a lone furrow as I struggled to keep pace with my younger (much younger, although he doesn't look it) companion, who has been out, doing more miles on the bike than Sir Bradley Wiggins and near as fast. Saying that, the hill is quite steep, if not the highest.
Anyway, as we neared the top, it became clear we might not see too much, due to the fog. (Is this an oxymoron, or is it just me?) Through the gloom, we eventually came to the large summit cairn, close by the trig point, in about an hour and three quarters. I was rapidly coming up with all sorts of excuses as to why I was struggling, out of blow on Beinn a'Ghlo. Lack of breakfast was the best I could come up with and BJ, kindly agreed.

Summit Carn Liath.

Big Jesper looking untroubled.

Me, looking troubled.

Alas, the promise of good views was made to others, not us, so we didn't linger and headed off, following the winding route to the bealach, at Allt Coire Chruim. Despite the poor vis, we could sense the beauty and excitement of the ridge, but sadly will need to return another day, to see for ourselves.

Back to Carn Liath.

Ridge heading off Carn Liath. Mist getting ready to move in.

The bealach, at Allt Coire Chruim.

Just needed a wee bit care here to check our bearings before making our way up Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain and although less steep than Carn Liath, still had me struggling to keep up. Refuel, refuel! A few more sympathy stops and we made Munro No.2 (not even gonna copy and paste that name again) in 3 and a quarter hours. From here things looked a bit clearer, but in truth only provided tantalising glimpses of the hills around, so after a few pictures, it was on our way again.

Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain.

Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain cairn.

Carn nan Ghabhar from Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain.

As said, in the route guidance, just watch your bearings dropping east then north, to find the descent point to Bealach an Fhiodha. The ridge is quite broad here and we were marching by quite merrily, following a heard of deer, till the mist lifted again, to reveal two runners coming up the hill in the opposite direction. By now my morale and strength was picking up, or was it just the fact we were going downhill? Here we found a chappy, chopping up a deer.

Oh deer.

The climb up to Carn nan Gabhar, didn't seem as taxing, though was made tricky over the last few hundred yards of mixed rock and boulders. Again there's a few cairns and a trig point to pass, before reaching your true, very large, destination cairn. It was another hour to here.

On top of cairn, Carn nan Gabhar.

Him, too.

The route guidance states "the return route to Loch Moraig is long and tiring." This statement is factually incorrect - it is very long and very tiring! What we had seen of Airgiod Bheinn through the cloud, had looked very steep, so we opted to head back down to the bealach and out, round Beinn Bheag, which involved a few crossings of burns, bogs and heather, before finally joining our outward track, completing the route in 6 and a quarter hours and knackered, or at least one of us was.

Survived the long haul back.

Me, too. Just.

Pity about the views, but a good hike all the same.

[Silverhill]

A swift walk! Another one to return to on a clear day, it is a gorgeous mountain!

[JimboJim]

Thanks, Silverhill - (and re Meall Ghaordie). Yeh we were looking forward to better views, though many other reports seemed to have similar restricted vis. Didn't seem like a quick walk to my wee legs, but defo one I'd like to revisit someday.
Jimmy

[JimboJim]

Thanks, Russell. Wasn't the best day for the camera, but at least I didn't lose it. Lot of pics of me and my pal, Charles, but I've heard Ben Vrackie is a nice one and may return to do it someday.
Happy Hiking.
Jim.