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Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!


Postby The Rodmiester » Tue Apr 14, 2015 8:57 pm

Route description: Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh

Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn Spionnaidh, Cranstackie

Date walked: 10/04/2015

Time taken: 6.3 hours

Distance: 12.2 km

Ascent: 1052m

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This was to be the first day of Walkhighland April Meet organised by Fife Flyer (Martin), I had already booked myself into the Sango Sands Camping and Tent site, the reason for mentioning tents is because I feel that the owners Kevin and Rosie have gone overboards in trying to accommodate tent campers as much as possible unlike so many other campsites. Free gas for cooking and an enclosed eating and cooking area which is covered. Toilets and showers a clean and refreshed as required with also washing up liquid available for the pots and pans and cutlery all for sum of £7.00 a night, good value indeed, with very friendly hosts. I had arranged to meet Teresa (MountainThyme) Jelena (Jelena), and expected Charlie (Trekker53) to be at the starting point an area 150m South of Carbreck on the A838 about five miles South of Durness. After a few exchanged texts and the usual introductions the four of us set off at 0845hrs down the track past a broken down vehicle abandoned at the top of the track. Good time was made to the farm buildings on a well made up track, passing through a gate on the left of all buildings this track was soon to dissapear so an upward climb heading towards the bealach between the two Corbetts. With many stops for photographs and constant talking along the way the time was soon passing

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1.JPG
The group about to set off from the roadside parking area, probably enough space for about five cars at 0850hrs
2.JPG
Heading down the track towards the farm buildings with Foinaven in the distance, the weather looking good
3.JPG
Looking back towards the road climbing at the rear of the farm (Rhigolter) Note The Rodmiester is leading at this point
4.JPG
Time for a pose for the camera, good time was being made
5.JPG
Trekker53 leading at this point with Mountain Thyme and Jelena not far behind
6.JPG
At the Bealach at 1055hrs with Cranstackie's rocky ridge in the distance. After a small break for a sandwich Trecker and Jelena headed on slightly below the high point on the East side where The Rodmiester and Mountain Thyme stuck more ridgedly to the crest where although slightly more ascent made for easier walking
7.JPG
First bit of snow which was passed on the right
8.JPG
Looking back down the grassy summit ridge with Trekker53 just behind The Rodmiester
8a.JPG
Jelena passing the snow section with fabulous views North
9.JPG
Now it's becoming rocky on the large expanse of summit boulderfield
10.JPG
Rodmiester at the summit, ok not the first to reach the summit as no doubt someone else will tell you in her report, but a certain amount of foul play took part just short of the summit cairn, to allow a certain Mountain Thyme the upper hand to be at the cairn first at 1145hrs. A plan was already being hatched by the old timer, a plan that could not fail, either way he was going to be a winner.
11.JPG
Mountain Thyme at the summit cairn, while The Rodmiester thinks up his cunning plan alone on the extensive rocky summit
12.JPG
Trecker in happy posing mood on the way back down to the bealach
13.JPG
A very happy Mountain Thyme, grinning from ear to ear, having reached the summit FIRST! The Rodmiester Beaten!
14.JPG
Looking back at Cranstackie over the grassy section. This section Trecker was to be leading until The Rodmiester caught up with him with a well timed run down only to be followed by Mountain Thyme. With Trecker and Rodmiester in deep conversation, not totally concentrating on what was going on they failed to notice Mountain Thyme continue her running section until she had a 200m advantage over the guys. The Rodmiester then told Trecker that the person to get to the summit cairn of Beinn Spionnaidh would be first to buy a round at the pub at the end of the day thinking that there was no way he was going to catch Mountain Thyme, but he gave it his best shot cutting the corner and approaching the second Corbett in a straighter line. The next time they saw each other the gap had closed considerably but MT still had a small lead and the cairn was in sight, could he put a final push in? Very close but NO, MT had touched the cairn first, good on her, but wait, about 400m to the North there looked like there could be a slightly higher point
14a.JPG
The race was on now, The Rodmiester and MT went for the final rockhopping sprint with The Rodmiester finally getting to the cairn first, totally forgetting what he had said to Trecker, he was to be on the bell in the pub!
15.JPG
Race over, both happy and looking forward to the pint. Pride is an awful thing.
16.JPG
The North West shoulder where we would be coming off
17.JPG
Jelena at the final cairn and trig point the actual summit
18.JPG
Coming off the second Corbett and heading towards the farm buildings, and then the track back to the cars at 1510hrs. Great Hills, Great Company, Great Day
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The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
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Location: Newbigging

Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby Fife Flyer » Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:08 pm

Nice one Rod :clap: :clap: What a competitive animal you are :lol: :lol:
Forgot to show you how to respond to replies in one go :wink: Will PM you :)
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Fife Flyer
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Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby Beaner001 » Tue Apr 14, 2015 10:24 pm

Haha, nice read, can't help thinking of the Benny Hill tune as your all jostling for position heading up to the cairns :lol: :lol:
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Beaner001
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Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby trekker53 » Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:06 am

Good, funny report there Rod.
Enjoyed all the company and what a great day.
Lovely photos to show off the far north. Will have to go back again.

See you at Aultguish
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trekker53
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Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby BlackPanther » Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:52 am

Another Sutherland classic :clap: :clap:

Amazing views, the duo looks so much fun, can't wait to get up there!
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BlackPanther
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Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby litljortindan » Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:04 am

Looks a great day. No fallers?
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litljortindan
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Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby basscadet » Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:38 am

Makes it look like a summers day :)
Look like way better hills than they looked like from the road. :shock:
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Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby Huff_n_Puff » Wed Apr 15, 2015 12:58 pm

Looks great - more hills to add to the ever growing list :clap:
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Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby The Rodmiester » Wed Apr 15, 2015 4:32 pm

Fife Flyer wrote:Nice one Rod :clap: :clap: What a competitive animal you are :lol: :lol:
Forgot to show you how to respond to replies in one go :wink: Will PM you :)

Thanks for that Martin, must check my PMs :)
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The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
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Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby The Rodmiester » Wed Apr 15, 2015 4:36 pm

Beaner001 wrote:Haha, nice read, can't help thinking of the Benny Hill tune as your all jostling for position heading up to the cairns :lol: :lol:


All good natured fun Matthew, but what a day, well worth the long drive up, the area is presently unspoiled but for how long? Both good hills!
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The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
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Location: Newbigging

Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby The Rodmiester » Wed Apr 15, 2015 4:39 pm

trekker53 wrote:Good, funny report there Rod.
Enjoyed all the company and what a great day.
Lovely photos to show off the far north. Will have to go back again.

See you at Aultguish


A fabulous day Charlie, thanks for your company. Check in the post for Aultguish, now to checkout the Corbetts there :wink:
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The Rodmiester
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Posts: 3396
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Location: Newbigging

Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby The Rodmiester » Wed Apr 15, 2015 4:45 pm

BlackPanther wrote:Another Sutherland classic :clap: :clap:

Amazing views, the duo looks so much fun, can't wait to get up there!


Hi BP, all I can say is it's worth keeping these two for a good clear day, the views from the summits are fabulous, Enjoy!
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The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
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Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby Petr Dakota » Wed Apr 15, 2015 4:47 pm

Nice report Rod :clap:
It looks like great day with a blue sky & wide view there 8)
Nice to see the area after long time - I was there 2009, but going on the road by car only...some stops and short walks near the road... :lol:
Good informations about the camping, but what about the race ? :o :lol: guess your training will be harder now :lol: :wink: ( joking ) Well done ! :clap:
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby The Rodmiester » Wed Apr 15, 2015 4:59 pm

basscadet wrote:Makes it look like a summers day :)
Look like way better hills than they looked like from the road. :shock:


Great hills on top, nothing difficult but on a clear evening it would be very special for the views alone in all directions :D
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The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Cranstackie and other, and the plan that backfired!

Postby The Rodmiester » Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:14 pm

Huff_n_Puff wrote:Looks great - more hills to add to the ever growing list :clap:


There is just so much to see and do up in the Durness area, hope to go back and soon. Save these for a good clear day :D
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The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

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