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Creag Meagaidh trio

Creag Meagaidh trio


Postby HighlandSC » Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:29 am

Route description: Creag Meagaidh circuit

Munros included on this walk: Càrn Liath (Creag Meagaidh), Creag Meagaidh, Stob Poite Coire Àrdair

Date walked: 19/06/2010

Time taken: 9 hours

Distance: 22 km

Ascent: 1300m

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Date - Sat 19/06/2010
Title - Creag Meagaidh trio
Munros - Carn Liath, Stob Poite Coire Ardair, Creag Meagaidh
Route - Anti clockwise circuit from Aberarder car park.
Weather - Cold N wind, otherwise a good and improving day.
People - Me
Time - 9 hours (no rush)
Distance - 22.7km
Ascent - 1300m
Max Altitude - 1130m


Creag Meagaidh route 19062010.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


Creag Meagaidh route profile.jpg


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An excellent path leads all the way to the lochan in Coire Ardair. To begin I followed it until I branched off right up to Na Cnapanan. Sron a' Ghoire in the background.
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As you gain height nice views open up into Coire Ardair. 'The Window' now obvious to see
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It's easy going terrain on the pull up to Na Cnapanan and then 400m more ascent up to the summit of the first Munro-Carn Liath. Getting closer to the ridge and veering NE toward the summit I was going head on into the bitter N wind. Was glad to reach the summit cairn for a bit of respite
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Took a short vid that at the summit that highlights the wind....
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8-MHTXx4aY[/youtube]

SW over Loch Laggan
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Left Carn Liath and began the walk W along the ridge

Cracking views into Coire Ardair
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Meall an t-Snaim
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Approaching Sron Coire a'Chriochairein
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Coire Ardair (from Sron Coire a'Chriochairein)
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Sron Coire a'Chriochairein cairn
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Still a few chunks of snow around
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E over glen to Loch Laggan
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Easy final approach to Stob Poite a'Choire Ardair
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Coire Ardair
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Lochan a' Choire
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Looking N over 'The Window' to Creag Meagaidh summit
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'The Window'
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Reached the top of Coire Ardair. Looking back to ridge just walked
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Mad Meg's cairn and beyond to Creag Meagaidh summit
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Approaching Creag Meagaidh summit (right). Ben Nevis (distant centre)
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Creag Meagaidh summit
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SW toward Ft William/Glencoe hills
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Ben Nevis
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NW from Creag Meagaidh summit
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NE from Creag Meagaidh summit
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I returned back to the top of Coire Ardair. Found a sheltered spot for lunch
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NE from top of Coire Ardair - to ridge already walked
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Descending from The Window into Coire Ardair
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Looking back up to The Window. It's quite steep and loose on the first part of the descent - shortly after this pic I fell on my arse!
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Upon reaching the lochan below the maintained path is picked up, leaving you to enjoy an hour and bit walk back through the glen - lots of wildlife about to catch the eye.
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Looking back into the stunning corrie. Easy to see why this is one of the best climbing spots in Scotland
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Corrie Ardair. The Window on far right
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W along the glen and path returning to start
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There was a lone thistle at the side of the path
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S over Loch Laggan
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Back through the glen toward Coire Ardair
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A great day out :D

Full flickr set of pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/highlandsc/sets/72157624191167391/
Last edited by HighlandSC on Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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HighlandSC
 
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Re: Creag Meagaidh trio

Postby Stretch » Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:19 pm

Nicely done Highland, this same circuit is high on my to do list when I get back from the states. Was it a busy day on the path?
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Re: Creag Meagaidh trio

Postby HighlandSC » Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:20 pm

Not really. I chatted briefly to one guy going the other way up on the ridge. Apart from that I spotted 2 or 3 pairs scattered around the hill. Quite a peaceful day really considering it was a nice saturday in what I presume can be a popular spot. Certainly a few tourists and camper vans in the car park - I watched a few wander around the very short waymarked trails around the visitor centre.
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Re: Creag Meagaidh trio

Postby davetherave » Sat Nov 20, 2010 8:38 pm

Im doing this route tomorrow. for some reason i dont think the weather will be as favourable as the day you got, im keeping my fingers crossed and hoping. :)

I was going to ask, what is the window ? i assume that to be the name of the descent route into Coire Ardair.

Your pics of Coire Ardair are super by the way. Shows off the Coire in it's full glory. :D
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Re: Creag Meagaidh trio

Postby mountain coward » Sun Nov 21, 2010 1:27 am

As far as I know, 'The Window' is just a nickname for the nick between the 2 ridges. Want to go snowholing just below there in Feb if anyone else is interested :D
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Re: Creag Meagaidh trio

Postby alanmurray » Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:34 pm

Stunning clarity in your photos HSC.

Have tried twice to conquer Creag Meagaidh - failed just below the window.
Both times wind being funnelled at tremendous speeds at the top of the window.
It's the only mountain to beat me up to now. Look forward to next time.

Cheers
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