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The planning of this walk was really last minute, I was all geared up and started loading the car on Friday with the intention of heading back into the Cairngorms. My bike is still sitting in the garage with the front wheel off after the last trip to the Gorms, however I was about to load it into the car and noticed the rear tyre was flat - hmmm. So I inflated it and then inspected the tyre for anything obvious and returned a couple of hours later and it had almost deflated. I did not fancy the walk into & from Derry Lodge so I had to come up with an alternative, I have to confess I wasn't really sure if my legs would cope with a 30km + walk in the Gorms after the previous weeks Skye trip, but the bike sorted out that problem
So after checking my red balloon situation I opted for Binnean Mor and the neighbour that no one can pronounce (apart from Simon) Na Gruagaichean, I was determined not to miss the fairly decent weather forecast so I asked Karen, Andy & Simon if they fancied another day out. Karen wasn't exactly jumping at the chance as she was still literally bruised and battered, but agreed to come and get some fresh air. Andy on the other had not long returned from Glenfinnan (another long day) and was also feeling a little shabby, he opted to make his final decision on the Saturday morning and as you can guess he couldn't resist the temptation to give his body more punishment
We agreed to meet at the start at 9am and when we arrived at the car park we were chatting to a couple who were off elsewhere but told us they did these 2 hills a couple of weeks ago with no issues, so with that endorsement ringing in our ears we opted to leave the winter tackle in the car
DSCF2408 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Ready to go
The start of the walk is literally littered with paths that go in every direction, some sign posted others not and as usual we ended up going up a wrong path, but we soon corrected that by cutting across nice grassy slopes.
DSCF2421 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Kinlochleven & Loch Leven, views opening up as we get higher
DSCF2427 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Karen with her trousers rolled up, she had been showing us her numerous bruises
The path heads uphill at a nice gradient and the views really open up, we were following a large group of guys overtook them when they stopped for a break and a bit of banter ensued about the 'bright' colour of my baselayer. It wasn't until we were over 600m that we had to put another layer on, could summer really be arriving at last
DSCF2430 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
DSCF2435 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Andy supervising Karen crossing a burn
The path takes you round to the east of Sgor Eilde Beag with a lochan and Sgurr Eilde Mor on the right hand side, there were a couple of snow patches to trample across and with plenty of foot steps to follow in it was easy going.
DSCF2458 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
DSCF2462 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
Once we rounded the base of Sgor Eilde Beag we got our first view of Binnean Mor and the ridge ahead of us, even at this time things didn't look very good. Almost the whole east side of the long ridge had snow clinging to it, apart from one section which as we closer appeared to be very rocky and impossible to ascend
DSCF2464 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Sgurr Eilde Mor
DSCF2466 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Still going up, the ridge can be seen ahead
We met a lady (Toni) who was also intending to go up to Binnean Mor, we invited her to join us, however her company was short lived as she didn't fancy continuing after we crossed a large snow field, hope you got down safely, was good to meet you
DSCF2468 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Toni at the rear across yet more snow
DSCF2473 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Coire a' Bhinnein
DSCF2476 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Steep grassy slope uphill
It was at this point we had a discussion, there was no obvious safe way to reach the ridge, so we decided to descend and possibly access the ridge via Sgor Eilde Beag which looked doable from a distance
DSCF2488 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Descending across the snow, Andy wanting to be on a tightrope?
As we approached the ridge up Sgor Eilde Beag we noticed a couple on the upper slopes who obviously had the same idea as us. The sight of them made our decision easier, so off we go up again
The initial slopes were nice and grassy, however much to Andy's displeasure, that didn't last long, not only did the gradient get steeper, it became rocky and scrambly. As you will probably have noticed I am now getting photo's from the front and rear, which involved either scampering ahead or dropping back
DSCF2500 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, The ascent of Sgor Eilde Beag
DSCF2502 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Once I reached the higher slopes the ridge came into view and one or two other walkers were on it
DSCF2504 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Sgurr Eilde Mor from a bit higher
DSCF2511 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Action shot of Andy enjoying the climb
DSCF2512 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Action shot of Karen just going over the top onto the ridge
DSCF2514 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Side on shot to show the angle of gradient, didn't look that steep from a distance
DSCF2516 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, We reached the ridge and Andy's face says it all
DSCF2519 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, looking back to Sgor Eilde Beag with Sgurr Eilde Mor to the left
Now it was just a matter of making progress along the ridge to Binnein Mor.
DSCF2520 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Binnein Mor in cloud
DSCF2526 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Andy arriving at the summit area
Binnein Mor has a very narrow ridge at the top with a few points that could be the highest point, we covered all the bases and went right along to the far end to get a few photo's. As the highest of the Mamores the views were superb, but as usual we couldn't decide which hill was which
I had carried my flexible tripod all the way so after a bit of faffing around I managed to get 3 fairly decent shots. You have to remember that I only have 10 seconds to get into position, so I think I did pretty well
DSCF2537 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Summit photo
DSCF2539 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Binnein Beag
DSCF2541 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Na Gruagaichean
DSCF2543 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, looking NW
DSCF2532 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, huge amount of snow lying on the east facing slope of Binnein Mor
It was kind of chilly on the summit and we didn't hang around for too long, especially after the struggle of actually getting there
Next it was a matter of clambering across the narrow part of the ridge which was covered with large boulders, before descending down to the ridge leading across to Na Gruagaichean.
DSCF2552 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, leaving the summit and clambering over the boulders
DSCF2555 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, What is Andy doing?
DSCF2565 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Ridge across to Na Gruagaichean
Whilst on the ridge to na Gruagaichean we met a couple of guys who were heading in the opposite direction, their plan was to descend the way we intended to come up, so after pointing out the problem on the map, they opted for a safer descent - hope you guys enjoyed the day
DSCF2572 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Rocky approach to Na Gruagaichean
DSCF2578 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Smile, curse or grimace or all three
DSCF2570 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Descent route, down the shoulder
We reached the summit of Na Gruagaichean and Andy actually admitted enjoying the climb up to it's summit
Quick photo and we turned left and headed down the shoulder, as per WH route
The descent was easy but we seemed to wander all over the place, there is no obvious path, so I was trying to keep us on the WH route, which was certainly the most gentle gradient descent wise. However it did involve either crossing boulder fields, slipping and sliding on tufty grass and the usual heather of course.
DSCF2583 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Kinlochleven zoom
DSCF2598 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Coire na Ba'
Once we reached the bottom of the shoulder/descent we had a choice, climb over a deer fence or the suggested WH option, head down to the sheep pens and pick up the track. We opted for the latter, however that still involved climbing over 2 small fences, the second one of which Karen really made a meal of
That little episode/incident certainly amused us all and being a true professional I happened to catch it on camera. Karen don't scroll down
DSCF2605 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 1
DSCF2606 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 2
DSCF2607 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 3
DSCF2608 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 4
DSCF2610 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 5
DSCF2611 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 6, here comes the hero
DSCF2612 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 7
DSCF2613 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 8, guess what's going to happen?
DSCF2614 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 9
DSCF2615 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Take 10, what a gent
After all the fun and games it was now just a matter of following the path/road down into Kinlochleven, however it doesn't go the most direct way, we picked up the West Highland Way near the bottom which near enough took us back to the car park.
Another great and interesting day, which could have turned into a non event. HUGE thanks to Karen and Andy for their company (again), safe drive south Andy and don't forget to give us a shout next time you are heading north of the wall
Forecast not looking too clever for the rest of the week, was planning to be Gorms bound, but have to get the bike sorted before I head up that way
So I don't know what is going to be next