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I went up Meall na Fearna via the Fin Glen in April 2014 and posted a report - but without any photographs so I thought it was about time to repeat it with a camera. As you drive along the South Loch Earn Road, past the (awful) caravan site, you pass two gates marked "private" and then a third from which a track leads up through two more gates into the Fin Glen. Just a few metres further is a good parking place on the right.
Looking up Loch Earn from the parking place to Meall an-t-Seallach and Creag Mac RanaichFrom doing the South Loch Earn ridge I had dscovered that this track goes far further than is shown on the map - in fact almost to the 550m Col at the West end of that ridge.
A closer view of Craig Mac Ranaich The third gate leads on to the open hillsideA side track on the R leads up to heathery ridge of Druim Chonnaidh that I ascended beforeThe views widened as I climbedThe track keeps high on the West side of the glen just below the screes of the ridgeWhere it divides the main track descends into a mass of peat hags below the col: I stayed on the smaller RH pathThe path came to an end and I headed up to the obvious gap Meall na Fearna with Ben Vorlich on the Right: I could see a traverse line around the head of the glen but the terrain - tall heather with boulders - was unappealing - particularly with pockets of deep snow Looking East across the col to Meall Reamhar aand the South Loch Earn ridgeI decided at this point that I should leave Meall na Fearna for another day : I could have headed East along the South Loch Earn ridge, but it contains huge peat hags which need to be fully frozen, so I climbed up through the heather to the top of Beinn Bhan where there were good views .
Ben LawersAbove a wider view: below the head of Loch EarnThe heathery ridge is an easy descentOne way to draw a circleA sudden shaft of sunlight on the Sgiath Chuil groupA final look at the track leading up towards the col 28th Feb The weather was even better , the view down Loch Earn clearer and the wind almost non-existant
I followed the same track to its end, but this time instead of heading up right, walked across to the two fence posts that seem to mark the col. (1.5hours). There was more snow higher up but the snowline was more sharply defined.
Looking up to Meall na Fearna - the 550m col is about halfway up the pictureLooking back from the colMeall na Fearna from the col - Ben Vorlich back rightThe descent diagonally Right from the col is easy - mainly on short grass - well worth the sacrifice of about 70m of altitude - view back from the low pointLooking East down the unnamed glen that joins Gleann Ghoinean I set off directly towards the Corbett, but soon found myself thrashing about in a large area of peat hags, so I cut back right and followed easy grass slopes until I came across footprints heading right - walkers on the standard route.
Looking up to the peakLooking back this is easy terrain 
The last 30m is the only steep bit on this hill. I had forgotten the Ice axe I planned to bring, but as the two sets of footprints heading straight up clearly showed that the owners had no equipment, I assumed i would manage OK
In fact there is only a 10m section that was any problem. In the conditions it had taken me 3.5 hours in all .
The views were superb
Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin look particularly impressiveBen Challum et alSouth across Glen Artney - the sun in my eyes was very bright and Umha Beag only just made it into the picture I didn't greatly fancy descending the steep ascent slope, so I headed south and in no more than 20m found an easy-angled snow rake circling round to he its foot
Doh! I could have saved 10 minutes at least by coming up this way.
There were lots of footprints here and I followed them back through the maze of small mounds that guard this hill. There is something quite nice and relaxing about following other peoples footprnts on the way back. You don't have to think too hard and as long as you don't find a body they're going to lead you home
Looking back I made it home in 2.5 hours here are Just a few photos:-
Looking East into Gleann Ghoinean - Beinn DeargLooking back from near the colCreag na-h-Iolaire and Meall na Fearna from where I rejoined the pathTree silhouettes on the cliff againWhat to thinkWell I'm biased of course, but I think this is a much nicer way up the hill. The Naismith times are about the same, and while there is nothing wrong with the standard route, Glen Vorlich is very enclosed and rather dull - doubly so if you've already been up it to the Munroes. This route takes you into much wilder territory and you can come down the ridge if you prefer a slight variation. Anyone else's views would be more than welcome
