free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Well, once again I've lost my walk report as I left the computer unattended and then carried on typing when I came back. There was no indication that I had been logged off - that's what is so annoying about this issue.
Anyway, Beinn a'Chearcaill was high on my list of Grahams for at least a year but I wanted to be sure I got the visibility to see all the surrounding hills as I've read the reports and viewed all the photos. Saturday's forecast was for full sun until noon then light cloud for the rest of the day.
As usual I kept stopping to take photos on the way. Liathach looked particularly stunning and the sea had an azure tint to it.
Mullach an Rathain and the azure Upper Loch Torridon.Beinn a'Chearcaill by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Liathach from the other side.Beinn a'Chearcaill-3 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Looking back on the approach to Kinlochewe. Spring is definitely in the air.Beinn a'Chearcaill-4 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
I parked at the small area after Bridge of Grudie - it's actually part of the old single-track road and will hold 6-8 cars. Just as I was getting my boots on another car drew up and it contained David who was also going up the Graham but had had to turn back a couple of days previously as he said the path had been churned up and was a knee-deep bog and virtually impassable. He suggested just heading straight up the hill to gain the plateau which is what I did and it was an easy ascent. There are plenty of deer paths to get you to the top at 300 odd metres. Once up at that altitude, the hill is undulating with lots of minor 'tops' and locans and slabby rocks which make for great walking.
Slioch totally dominates the view and it's very hard not to stop every few metres to take photos!Beinn a'Chearcaill-5 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
The west end of Loch Maree and Beinn Airigh Charr.Beinn a'Chearcaill-6 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Slioch and Beinn a'Mhuinidh to the right and the Fisherfield Munros showing up.Beinn a'Chearcaill-7 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Meall a'Ghuithais, Ruadh-stac Beag and Spidean Coire nan Clach.Beinn a'Chearcaill-8 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
I then headed for the 658m top of A Choineach Beag. By now it was quite windy but the visibility was superb and Slioch totally dominated the views. After finding a spot out of the wind, I had my first lunch break.
Lunch spot view. The summit of Beinn a'Chearcaill is just right of centre with Beinn Eighe on the left and Beinn Dearg on the right.Beinn a'Chearcaill-9 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Beinn Dearg on the left, Horns of Alligin and Sgurr Mhor (Beinn Alligin) in the centre and the south-east end of Beinn an Eoin looking huge and intimidating.Beinn a'Chearcaill-10 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Slioch again with the cairn and my super-duper new backpack that can be seen miles away! Beinn a'Chearcaill-11 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Beinn Dearg and Beinn Alligin.Beinn a'Chearcaill-12 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
On my way again and passing the lochan above Coire Briste.Beinn a'Chearcaill-14 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
The walk from this top t to the next minor top at 690m was a delight except for a small area at the tope of Coire Briste where there was a section of large rocks that had to be negotiated. There are lots of areas of red sandstone slabs that make for easy walking in dry weather - the conditions were just perfect for walking and even I was zipping along.
Just as I was winding my way through the rocky area before the final ascent (best to follow deer paths here) I spotted David not too far ahead of me. I'm a bit scared of snow fields but he ploughed through them so I just followed in his footsteps as I knew if the snow supported him I'd have no problems. I then took the wee detour to the next top.
690m top - not far from the summit.Beinn a'Chearcaill-15 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Looking back the way I had come. I took a line between the two wee lochans in the centreBeinn a'Chearcaill-16 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Slioch again with the top part of Coire Briste visible. Beinn a'Chearcaill-17 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
I didn't stop long here and then headed for the short ascent to the summit. Here I met David again as he was coming back down. Turns out he has only 10 Graham to compleat and then he can join the "Full House Club" as he will have climbed all 1099 summits - he told me what they were but other than Munros, Corbetts and Grahams, I can't remember the rest! We agreed that going back down the corrie and stalker's path was probably OK on the return as we both had clean clothes and shoes in our respective cars. Good Luck to David for finishing off the hills this month.
I knew that the summit of this hill was on a flat rock-strewn slab with great views, but nothing quite prepares you for it. It's a huge area and the views of Coire MhicFhearchair are simply stunning. I believe I was pretty lucky to be there on a day where there was fresh snow on the higher hills but the plateau itself was snow-free.
For those of you who have read the account of my descent of Morrison's Gully you can imagine my awe looking into the mouth of it. It looked impossible from this angle - I still can't quite believe how stupid I was! Here's the report if anyone wants to read it.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=45124Coire MhicFhearchair with Sail Mhor on the right and Morrison's Gully splitting it in half. You can clearly see the choke stone more than half way down. The Triple Buttresses are left of centre.Beinn a'Chearcaill-18 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Wider view with Ruadh-stac Mor on the left,Beinn a'Chearcaill-19 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
The whole bulk of Beinn Eighe. Ruadh-stac Beag is on the left and you can see the Black Carls behind.Beinn a'Chearcaill-20 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Sail Mhor and Liathach.Beinn a'Chearcaill-21 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Meall a'Ghiuthais looks pretty daunting from this direction.Beinn a'Chearcaill-22 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
The north side of Liathach.Beinn a'Chearcaill-24 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
The huge, empty expanse of the south section of Strath Lungard. I'm sure it's inhabited by deer but it looks pretty empty and desolate. Liathach, Beinn Dearg and Beinn Alligin form the backdrop. Beinn a'Chearcaill-25 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
As I was wandering around, I saw my first ever snow bunting. When I got home I looked up the bird book and they are supposed to have left for Iceland in March so either this one got left behind or it's one of a breeding pair. Apparently, there are only about 100 breeding pairs in the UK, so a treat either way.
Hope you can see the snow bunting at the bottom right. Where's the birding lens when you need it? Beinn a'Chearcaill-26 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
As usual, I spent ages on the summit but it was too exposed to have my second lunch so took a few more photos and left heading for Creag na Feol just to complete all the tops. I met a couple who were on their way up and they confirmed that the path was just a huge, muddy bog near the cottage but they managed to get around it without getting too wet. I then hit a huge snow-field with no footprints and I chickened out crossing it. I don't know how you guys know if the snow is 2 inches or 2 feet deep and I was scared I'd totally disappear
I would have had to take a wide detour with quite a drop and re-climb to get around it so I just decided to head for the wee lochan above Coire Briste instead.
Summit cairn looking north-west.Beinn a'Chearcaill-27 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
... and south.Beinn a'Chearcaill-28 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Looking back the way I had come. The 690m top on the left and A Choineach Beag in the centre mid-distance.Beinn a'Chearcaill-29 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Strath Lungard, Loch Maree and Beinn Airigh Charr. The 690m top is on the right.Beinn a'Chearcaill-30 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
After having another bite to eat I just followed the burn down from the lochan NNW of the summit. This led to the bigger lochan above the corrie and I followed it too on a deer path which brought me directly to the main stalker's path. It's a great path but quite narrow, and as I got further down I was dreading the muddy bog. I was getting closer and closer to the cottage and no mud. Confusion solved when I got to the house with dry feet. I guess most people keep following the track which takes a turn round to the south-east (left) after passing the cottage. Do NOT do this - just keep walking straight ahead towards the electricity poles. The path is unmarked and very unclear but just for a few metres. See photo - head for the pole!
Slioch from the descent into Coire Briste.Beinn a'Chearcaill-31 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Down at the path, the Beinn Eighe massif is still in view. Creag na Feol is on the right.Beinn a'Chearcaill-32 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Just keep walking straight on towards the pole. The path will then make itself clear!Beinn a'Chearcaill-34 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Then a short walk back along the road to the car.
A fantastic day on a fantastic hill.