Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnich

[ancancha]

Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnich.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Seems I just can't get away from Glen Lochay at the moment
After the fabulous day I had on Sgiath Chuil and Meal Glas I had to come back and check out these two and get a view of Loch Lyon and beyond

I read Simon's report on North Alder and his contacting the estate for deer stalking information when I got up and decided I'd better do the same just in case; not wanting to leak crimson onto the hillside if I got caught in the crossfire
To my astonishment they were incredibly helpful and considerate They actually gave me the impression of wanting to fit in with my plans 'asking me to give them as much notice as possible' rather than expecting me to fit in with theirs. Turns out they were in the area yesterday and wouldn't be there today

Great the weather forecast is good, I put the bike in the car and set off.

I'd noticed the landrover track along the hillside from Meal Glas and had checked out various reports including Mountain Love and Spiderwebb's and my plan was to cycle into the damn by the bridge at the start of Creag Mhor and do pretty much the same circuit.

Not sure if these are young deer or a couple of does that were in an enclosure on the way in



Turned up the tarmac road beside the large hydro pipe and the view of Ben Challum at the head of the Glen



Doesn't take long to get to the start of the landrover track and the bridge over the overflow



A nice view of Beinn Cheathaich, Meal Glas and the ridge up to Sgiath Chuil



Got to a bridge over this gorge and thought this is it and wired the bike to the railings of the damn, almost every stream along the track is damned



Seems this was a bit premature, my route and the start to Creag Mhor was the next damn along, I considered going back, but it was only a kilometre and sensed it would be fine.
Started up the track next to the damn and then a faint path which goes through a tree plantation



I eyed up where I might possibly be coming off on the return



It was overcast, but very hot and humid, it felt like there could be thunder and lightening at any moment. I followed the line of a new deer fence



until a choice of steep or gentle climb up to the ridge, the gentler ascent being furthest away. I chose the steep which was a good choice as it meant no backtracking at the top



View of Beinn Cheathaich Meal Glas corie



Up almost onto the ridge and a first view of Creag Mhor



Stob an Fhir-Bhogha on the other side



Just got here and was having a drink when the unmistakable sound of a Ravens caw
Kinda sounds like an old car horn with the rubber bulb and trumpet, caw caw caw, best of the photos, this one definitely cawing



Got to the ridge and a path, always pleasant to walk on a path



Views down Glen Lochay were stunning



There are a few false summits, but the path up is quite good fun



the views more than compensate



Loch Lyon and a good view of whats ahead up to Stob an Fhir-Bhogha



Last of the ascent path



and finally the summit



Is this Beinn Dorain



I didn't stay long and wasn't sure I would make Beinn Heasgarnich as well this time round, but could make a decision down in the bealach.

Stuc an Lochain the peak on the right I think



Doesn't take long to get down and the view of the crags on the other side of Creag Mhor look like ideal Raven roosting





I felt fine and started up to Stob an Fhir-Bhogha initially just finding my own way, but picked up a path and from then it was pretty easy going



An interesting slice of pink quartz



Made it up top quite quickly and now it's more or less on the same level to the summit of Beinn Heasgarnich I'll definitely be getting both Munros



Reached the summit of Stob an Fhir-Bhogha



It's an stroll to Beinn Heasgarnich from here on easy ground



and the cairn



View into Beinn a'Chreachain



and the extending ridge with lochans which I think forms part of the WH route



I thought about having something to eat and hopefully getting a close up of the Ravens, but felt a bit chilly now and put on jacket, hat and gloves and started to make my way down.
Going with the flow I came off a bit early past this lochan



It was interesting naked drumlin landscape and if I'd continued down it would have been into Corie Chall, I was in Corie Ban Mor at this stage



I checked the sat nav, I seemed to be a bit confused as to where the bike was but eventually thought I'd sorted it out and headed over the ridge at the side of the Corie towards the crags of Creag Na H'Achlarich.
I spotted four creatures watching me, but by the time I got the camera out three had departed, not surprising in deer stalking months I suspect



Time was getting on now and I was upping my pace to get back.
Just over the crest of the ridge and a herd of deer, wish I'd been stalking instead of stomping, I'd have got some great photos



I should have continued my descent along the ridge



but seemed to think I should be heading South East and that the bike was over Creag Nam Bodach and down
So I started making my way straight down towards the peat hags, nice sky, but I was by now concentrating on getting back down



It was steep and I doubled back at one point and was starting to pay attention, cue some nervous laughter
Got down relieved, looking back



Across the peat hags and had another look at the sat nav now that I am in theory closer, I was and sorted it out with a happy grin
Straight down the gully by the Allt Bad Odhar

Wasn't long before I picked up some of the landrover tracks from the stalkers I guess



and followed them more or less to the bottom and the damn, though did detour slightly to take a look into the Allt.
Phew, back at the bike and track, saved



Just as I got down to the concrete by the bike something flew straight over my head; a wee bird My own personal flypast It came back for a second look, no mistaking a bat

Started getting organised for the ride back, and went to get out the head torch and glasses ( midge deflectors ) and the head torch must have been on for a while, not sure how long, or how long it will last. I did have a couple of spare batteries, fingers crossed
It lasted, though not as bright and fast a return as anticipated.

A last look back, Ben Challum silhouetted in the last of the light



Two excellent Munros with fabulous views

[grumpy old bagger]

Fair enjoyed that report!

I was up Ben Challum a couple of days before you - nice to see pictures of its other side

[BoyVertiginous]

Thanks, ancancha, starting to give some thought to the Breadalbanes now, thanks to your informative reports.

[ancancha]

Fair enjoyed that report!

I was up Ben Challum a couple of days before you - nice to see pictures of its other side

Cheers grumpy old bagger, it's always enjoyable to look across and see things from the other side, I did Challum a week or so ago and enjoyed it

Thanks, ancancha, starting to give some thought to the Breadalbanes now, thanks to your informative reports.

Thanks for the encouragement BoyVertiginous, I get a lot of useful information out of other peoples reports and always try to write useful reports with helpful photos
I have been enjoying the Breadalbanes mountains, and mostly clag free which helps

[simon-b]

Glen Lochay is an attractive place, ancancha. I enjoyed your pictures of the views from these hills. Nice shots of the deer, too, and it's good to feel comfortable knowing you and the estate have cooperated.

[Gordie12]

Ben More & Stob B next????????

[ancancha]

Glen Lochay is an attractive place, ancancha. I enjoyed your pictures of the views from these hills. Nice shots of the deer, too, and it's good to feel comfortable knowing you and the estate have cooperated.

Cheers Simon, it's a very pleasant place to mooch around in. If I hadn't been route marching to get back I'd have got some more impressive photos of the deer, still it's just amazing to see these fit beasts covering the ground

Ben More & Stob B next????????

I took another zoom of Stob Binnein, I'm pretty keen to do my alternative route, but might need to be a bit fitter and stuff is happening at the moment, but never say never
What I was planning as some light entertainment and a nice view down Loch Lyon was a biker hike of Beinn Mhanach

[rockhopper]

Good idea to use a bike - am wondering why I didn't think of it at the time. One abiding memory is the view of Ben Challum overlooking the end of the glen (nearly the only thing I think I saw when up here ) - cheers

[ancancha]

Good idea to use a bike - am wondering why I didn't think of it at the time. One abiding memory is the view of Ben Challum overlooking the end of the glen (nearly the only thing I think I saw when up here ) - cheers

Thanks rockhopper
Can't be without my bike where there's a track and ground to cover before getting to the mountain
Ben Challum certainly lords it over everything at the top of the Glen, that's for sure
The tracks goes a long way up if you feel the need for some light relief and a scenic cycle