Getting filthy around Glenfinnan

[simon-b]

Andy and I had a day on the hills above Loch Quoich immediately after returning from our five day adventure on Skye, but the next day, Thursday 21, brought pretty dismal weather to the West Highlands. We both decided to chase the sun eastwards. He went to climb Mayar and Driesh, but I had a day off in Inverness.

22/5/15: Sgurr Thuilm and Sgurr nan Coireachan

2015-05-22_0759 232km.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Distance: 23.3 km
Ascent: 1451 m
Time: 8.5 h

Friday morning, and Andy picked me up in Corpach, and drove to Glenfinnan. On pulling my rucksack out of the rear door of his car, I also managed to drag out various items of his clothing which he'd left on the back seat, and they fell into a puddle and the mud in the car park . Sorry, Andy!

We got on our boots and set off under Glenfinnan Viaduct, and soon we were stomping along the glen.

Passing through Glen Finnan

After a while, we were heading up Druim Coire a' Bheithe.

Looking back to Glen Finnan

Then it was on towards the first of the two Munros.

Moving towards Sgurr Thuilm

On the summit, we were in and out of the clouds, with brief views.

Loch Arkaig from Sgurr Thuilm

Moving along the ridge between the two Munros was probably the best part of the walk; at least we were below the clag for a good while.

Walking along the ridge towards Sgurr nan Coireachan

It was an entertaining little pull up to the second Munro's summit, but it wasn't going to come out of the mist.

Andy on Sgurr nan Coireachan

The route leaving Sgurr nan Coireachan's summit heading SSE was an interesting but would have been more so had there been much of a view. Lower down, things got very wet and muddy. My full length gaiters had come to grief earlier on the trip, so I was only wearing an ankle pair, and my trousers were getting splattered. Serves me right for what I'd done to Andy's clothes at the car park! Gaor Bheinn means hill of noise according to WH, but Cameron McNeish says it may mean filthy hill. On this day, it was its road-to-the-isles neighbours that deserved that title .

Heading back down to Glen Finnan

Back down at glen level, we both agreed we'd like to go for something to eat in Glenfinnan.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

The only places serving food looked a bit upmarket, and I felt a little self conscious about the state of my trousers. When we saw the price on the menu, we made a quick about turn, jumped into Andy's car and headed back towards Corpach and Fort William. I still had Gulvain to climb in the area, but Andy had already done it. Right on cue Martin (Fife Flyer) texted, saying he was heading for the Eastern Mamores next day. That gave Andy something new to do, while my own mind was set on Gaor Bheinn. I texted Karen (kmai1961) to see if she fancied joining me, but she'd already signed up for the Mamores party.


23/5/15: Gulvain (Gaor Bheinn)

2015-05-23_0704 217km.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Distance: 21.8 km
Ascent: 1321 m
Time: 6.8 h

I believe it's good for anyone who enjoys the hills to experience both walking with companions and going alone. It was mainly as a solo venture that I began climbing Munros, but this was my first Scottish mountain walk on my own after ten with friends. So I set off walking along Gleann Fionnlighe, ready to be at one with the hills.

Na h-Uamhachan from Gleann Fionnlighe

Moving along the glen towards Gaor Bheinn

As I began to ascend, I could see the high hills further east were clear, so Martin, Karen and Andy would be getting views. But the west was starting to get cloudy.

Ascending, looking over to the Ben

Soon I was into the clag. But as I approached the trig point, things became more clear, with partial inversions.

Trig point, but not the summit

It was a nice ridge walk to the true summit...

Approaching the summit

...and back again.

Returning along the ridge from the summit

While descending, I met a couple coming up; the first people I'd encountered all day.

Coming back to Gleann Fhionnlighe

The following day was to be my last full day of this Highland trip, and the forecast wasn't too promising. So, back at the car, it felt good to have conquered the three road-to-the-isles Munros.

[AJNicholls]

Cheers Simon. I've washed my clothes since then!

[Fife Flyer]

Well done to you both, that some amount of miles you both clocked up
Will head out to Glenfinnan (with my bike) before I go on the Jacobite train
See you next time you escape from your work

[simon-b]

Cheers Andy, my washing machine's been working overtime too.

Thanks Martin. A few miles clocked up on our cars as well as our boots!