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Three Times a Lady - Sgiath Chuil on Xmas Day

Three Times a Lady - Sgiath Chuil on Xmas Day


Postby weaselmaster » Thu Dec 25, 2014 5:09 pm

Munros included on this walk: Sgiath Chùil

Date walked: 25/12/2014

Time taken: 4.17 hours

Distance: 14.6 km

Ascent: 975m

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This is not one of my favourite walks. When I climbed Sgiath Chuil & Meall Glas the first time in December 12 I almost fell down a precipice at the top of Beinn Cheathaich in a whiteout. The second time in December 13, I lost my camera decending to Lairig a'Churain then crashed my car on the way home. Both were done in crappy weather where visibility was low. The forecast for Xmas Day was good, the walk was quick to access and I might see something this time, plus I needed to add the Top of Meall a'Churain, something I hadn't bothered about on precious visits. Would disastrer strike a third time :shock:

Left home at 7am and arrived at Auvhessan for 8.30. Roads were quiet for some reason :wink: Walking over the bridge to the farm I could see the snowy top of SC poking up over the hillside. A flock of black sheep at the farm showed interest in my presence perhaps expecting food (or presents?) and a stroppy herd of small hieland coos made no attempt to stand aside as I approached them on the path. Up alongside the Allt Riobain on some squelchy ground and up to the dam to cross the river. Little wind, warm walking up hill and some pretty views looking back towards Ben More in the South.

Sgiath Chuil rising behind Auchessan
ImageP1050147 by 23weasels, on Flickr

ImageP1050150 by 23weasels, on Flickr

View south to Ben More
ImageP1050152 by 23weasels, on Flickr

ImageP1050155 by 23weasels, on Flickr

ImageP1050158 by 23weasels, on Flickr

As I set up the hillside to Sgiath Chuil itself I mused about the lack of snow compared to the last two visits. Most seemed to have been blown away - there were some patches with an icy crust in hollows. The going was much easier than the last visits :) Making good progress I headed for Sgiath Chrom first of all and obtained superb views south to Ben Vorlich and the Stuc. A short walk from here took me up to the top of SC, although cloud had come down and diminished the views. I wandered on towards the nearby top of Meall a'Churain, looking down into the Lairig where perhaps my camera still lay. It would have been easier to reach this top from Glen Lochay but would have meant more of a drive. Reaching the disassembled cairn I could look over to Heasgarnich. I decided to build the cairn up a little then turned around and retraced my steps back down. The sun came out as I returned, giving a great view of Cheathaich and Meall Glas, with Ben Challium behind. Looking over towards Ben More I did consider doing another hill - I still have Beinn Garbh (Top) to do - but as it was just after 12.30 when I got back to the car I thought I'd leave that for another day - did have the family to see and Xmas dinner to prepare :lol: Enjoyed the views over Loch Lomond driving down the road, did stop off to take some pics of Ben Lomond.

Sgiath Chrom
ImageP1050160 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Ben Vorlich in distance
ImageP1050161 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Sgiath Chuil summit
ImageP1050163 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Weasel's happy
ImageP1050168 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Meall a'Churain
ImageP1050169 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Beinn Cheathaich - camera's down there somewhere!
ImageP1050170 by 23weasels, on Flickr

View up to Heasgarnich
ImageP1050172 by 23weasels, on Flickr

My reconstructed cairn
ImageP1050176 by 23weasels, on Flickr

View back along Sgiath Chuil
ImageP1050177 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Meall Glas
ImageP1050180 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Stats
ImageP1050182 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Ben Lomond
ImageP1050183 by 23weasels, on Flickr

ImageP1050186 by 23weasels, on Flickr

ImageP1050189 by 23weasels, on Flickr
weaselmaster
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Re: Three Times a Lady - Sgiath Chuil on Xmas Day

Postby rockhopper » Fri Dec 26, 2014 10:38 pm

methinks you're obsessed :wink: - maybe about time to consult an alienist :wink: - cheers :)
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Re: Three Times a Lady - Sgiath Chuil on Xmas Day

Postby scottishkennyg » Sat Dec 27, 2014 7:47 pm

Nice walk there Al to prepare the mind for cooking Christmas dinner.. :clap:
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Re: Three Times a Lady - Sgiath Chuil on Xmas Day

Postby chickadee » Sat Dec 27, 2014 9:36 pm

Beautiful photos. I love the eerie stillness they convey.
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chickadee
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Re: Three Times a Lady - Sgiath Chuil on Xmas Day

Postby Beaner001 » Sun Dec 28, 2014 12:32 pm

We'll in Mate, nearly had a disaster with the dug there back in March. It catches a lot of snow. Don't like the link for the tops you sent, missed too many already! Lol :lol:
Cheers and all the best for 2015 for you both :clap:
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