free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
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
Left home at 7am and arrived at Auvhessan for 8.30. Roads were quiet for some reason
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
P1050147 by
23weasels, on Flickr
P1050150 by
23weasels, on Flickr
View south to Ben More
P1050152 by
23weasels, on Flickr
P1050155 by
23weasels, on Flickr
P1050158 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
Enjoyed the views over Loch Lomond driving down the road, did stop off to take some pics of Ben Lomond.
Sgiath Chrom
P1050160 by
23weasels, on Flickr
Ben Vorlich in distance
P1050161 by
23weasels, on Flickr
Sgiath Chuil summit
P1050163 by
23weasels, on Flickr
Weasel's happy
P1050168 by
23weasels, on Flickr
Meall a'Churain
P1050169 by
23weasels, on Flickr
Beinn Cheathaich - camera's down there somewhere!
P1050170 by
23weasels, on Flickr
View up to Heasgarnich
P1050172 by
23weasels, on Flickr
My reconstructed cairn
P1050176 by
23weasels, on Flickr
View back along Sgiath Chuil
P1050177 by
23weasels, on Flickr
Meall Glas
P1050180 by
23weasels, on Flickr
Stats
P1050182 by
23weasels, on Flickr
Ben Lomond
P1050183 by
23weasels, on Flickr
P1050186 by
23weasels, on Flickr
P1050189 by
23weasels, on Flickr