Walkhighlands

I had been very much looking forward to my first venture into the Mamores. All the elements had come together and the forecast was for a crisp, bright and clear October day. Perfect

I arrived at Kinlochleven, suited and booted for 8am, ready to rock and roll.

Not long after I started, my mood took a downturn. During the week I'd suffered from a bit of Lurgy, aches pains and a nose like a tap. I thought I'd shaken it off but now seemed to be still feeling the affects. Once the climbing started I had to open to open up my first aid kit, for the first time in the hills, to pop some paracetamol in the hope of banishing the increasingingly pounding head and other aches.

I was pretty much on autopilot all they round these two hills. Only the bellowing of the Stags from the corries below occassionaly stirred me to look up from my feet. Thanks to them, I did manage to admire the views and even take some photographs.

I'm sure this is a cracking walk, but I've never been so relieved to get back to the car and get my boots off. Thankfully, with plenty of hills in the area, I'll have more opportunities to return and properly enjoy the Mamores!

Starting the walk up An Cumhann after a slight navigation error. Working through the bracken on the right of the gully while looking longingly at the good path on the other side


Eventually getting onto the path heading for Sgor Eilde Beag. My plan had been to follow the WH route around to Coire an Lochain, but I decide to skip that and zig zag up Sgor Eilde Beag.


The view down to Loch Eilde Mor and fog hanging in the glens beyond.


Sgurr Eilde Mor towering over Coire an Lochain.


Looking past Kinlochleven to the Pap of Glencoe and beyond to Beinn a'Bheithir.


Cairn on the top of Sgor Eilde Beag.


Looking across to Sgurr Eilde Mor.


Na Gruagaichean's twin tops.


Binnein Mor.


Looking back to Sgor Eilde Beag.


The ridge line to Binnein Mor's summit.


The summit of Binnein Mor.


Ben Nevis linked by the Arete to Carn Mor Dearg.


Heading back over Binnein Mor's ridge to the 1062m spot, and the ridge heading West to Na Gruagaichean.


Looking back to Binnein Mor from Na Gruagaichean's ridge.


Summit cairn on Na Gruagaichean.


Am Bodach.


On the descent down Leachd na h-Aire and the view of Loch Leven.


Binnein Mor and Na Gruagaichean Photo Album

Cracking day for these hills
An area to which I must return having seen almost nothing in the clag the first time round - cheers

Oh sorry to hear you have been poorly.. Such good hills but the winter is prime mamores season - so you will have to go back when they are at their best

At least you didn't get soaked We experienced 4 seasons of the year on this route...

I fully sympathize with you about feeling ill on the hills. Too many times I thought "yeah, I'm more or less recovered, let's go!" and then ended up swallowing painkillers half way up. I guess it's just the call of the mountains, we're too addicted...

Hope you are feeling better now.

You probably didn't appreciate it but that looked brilliant - amazingly clear views.

Fantastic pictures, how lucky were you with the weather! Shame the remnants of the lurgy spoiled it a bit for you. But it provides a reason to go back!

rockhopper wrote:Cracking day for these hills
An area to which I must return having seen almost nothing in the clag the first time round - cheers

The views are worth a revisit. On the first half of the walk, Sgurr Eilde Mor steals the limelight, but once you get up onto the ridge, Ben Nevis takes over.

basscadet wrote:Oh sorry to hear you have been poorly.. Such good hills but the winter is prime mamores season - so you will have to go back when they are at their best

Thanks Basscadet. With the weather starting to take a turn this week, I'm already starting to think about which winter hills to try

BlackPanther wrote:At least you didn't get soaked We experienced 4 seasons of the year on this route...

I fully sympathize with you about feeling ill on the hills. Too many times I thought "yeah, I'm more or less recovered, let's go!" and then ended up swallowing painkillers half way up. I guess it's just the call of the mountains, we're too addicted...

Thanks BP! I did read your report while I was planning these hills. Your description of the descent from Leachd na h-Aire was spot on! I had mostly decided to avoid that and descend from the bealach between Na Gruagaichean's summits. However, after passing the summit my auto-pilot sent me plodding on down the ridge

Although it had been dry and wasn't anywhere near the underfoot conditions you experienced, it was a grueling and tedious descent. Reaching the deer fence, I failed finding the place to cross down to the road and instead I was on my belly wiggling underneath the fence and into an area of dence vegitation. I had to fight the last few metres to the road

Gordie12 wrote:Hope you are feeling better now.

You probably didn't appreciate it but that looked brilliant - amazingly clear views.

Cheers Geordie! I'm fighting fit again

Silverhill wrote:Fantastic pictures, how lucky were you with the weather! Shame the remnants of the lurgy spoiled it a bit for you. But it provides a reason to go back!

Thanks Silverhill I'm appreciating the views more *now* looking back over the photographs