Sgiath Chuil
Geo descended after Sgiath Chuil and I decided to go on and bag Meall Glas. A bit of a race against the clock. Took roughly 2 hours to get from Sgiath Chuil to the trig at Beinn Cheathaich. From the col up to the trig was a real test of endurance - I was absolutely knackered and moved quite slowly up from the col. Though the conditions could not have been better I had forgotten how much more of an effort is required walking in winter. The descent from Sgiath Chuil is steep indeed and takes you to around 600m so there's a lot of height to regain.
Sgiath Chuil
Quite a surreal experience to be alone in such a fantastic and remote landscape - after leaving Geo at Sgiath Chuil I didn't see another soul all day. At the trig I consumed a huge slice of Christmas cake (mum makes one every year - absolutely ideal fuel for winter hills) which gave me the energy to speed over to Meall Glas. Foolishly, I did't take the most direct descent route and ended up retracing my steps along the fence line by the plantation - I should have head more directly south. Near the farm the snow would occasionally collapse into the bog beneath. I also made a completely school boy nag error right near the end taking a land rover track to nowhere for a few hundred metres after taking a wrong turn near the farm.
Geo on the ascent of Sgiath Chuil, Ben More in the background
All the guide books mark these down as dull, uninspiring hills. I can see how that would be the case in summer conditions but am glad that I bagged them on such a stunning winter day. Ideal practice for a novice winter walker. I think I will save the other munros round Glen Lyon for the winter as well.
Summit view, Beinn Cheathaich
Meall Glas
