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Another day off and another cracking day! Walkhighlands Munro map consulted, hill decided on and research done, car packed, off.
The drive up was uneventful and I found the parking area no bother and what's more it was all mine, I'd have the hill to myself this day
I had read review after review about this hill being a wet boggy slog so I took the leather boots for the added waterproofness but honestly I can't say I shared these types of experiences...
The parking area was small but empty.
The start of the walk, don't bother looking for way markers because there aren't any, well there's 1
The intended target, it looks worse than it was.
Looking up Glen Lochay. I didn't see any standing stones in this field.
Just around this bend I left the track by the cairn. Can you spot the only pole?
The way up became a bit of a free for all path wise.
Looking up Glen Lochay to some of the other hills I've walked this year, seeing them for a new angle.
Beinn nan Oighreag. Does this hill has the best name translation? Hill of the fairy berries or something. Anybody got any insight into this name?
Dry bog. Normally I'd imagine this part of the walk would be utter hell in the wet however because of this amazing run of hot days the ground was dry as a bone and made the going easy.
After a lengthy, continuous pull up from the track it was nice to see the hill develop a bit of personality. The last quarter was very rocky and the path winding up through the rocks was fun to walk. I did stop for breakfast during this part of the walk as it was a chance to get out of the blasting wind, it was hellish.
Breakfast with a view.
The summit just seems to appear from nowhere but boom there it is. The actual summit area is pretty small but interesting.
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This is the interesting feature of the summit I was talking about, a seam of quartz I think running along the ground. There's another a few metres away.
Off to the next hill, which one? The one in the dead centre of the picture.
You can't really see it but there's a faint path that hugs the big corrie. Look! Snow!
Forever Friends?
These rocks look about as stable as Scottish Labour...
Looking back up at Meall Ghaordaidh. The walk down the hill and around the top of the corrie was easy going. I was really enjoying my wee stroll.
I was now broadside with Beinn nan Oighreag and I had to make a decision about how to board it
The hill it's self presented the natural looking route. The way down was gentle, dry and mercifully easy on the knees
I crossed the short distance of the Lairig Luaidhe as I crossed the burn I spotted a wee rock to plant my arse on for a few minutes, I munched my lunch before heading up the short (about 200m) steep side of the Corbett...but only after reapplying my sun cream.
I was aiming for centre left of the above picture, I was hoping it would be flat and give an easy walk to the summit.
I was lucky enough to get to the flat top and find a pretty decent path, not what I was expecting to be honest. The going was easy from here, the only problem being the wind trying to blow my hat off. The wind may have been a constant thorn in myside but it was keeping cool in what was a hot day.
The complex looking Meall nan Tarmachan
Meall Ghaordaidh
The approach to the summit of Beinn nan Oighreag is flat but somehow familiar
Meall Ghaordaidh again from the summit of Beinn nan Oighreag. Loch Lyon making an appearance.
The understated summit.
The cairn at the North end of the hill.
When I looked up the hill after the walk I was pretty surprised that BnO was the 11th highest Corbett, anyway here's the views to Ben More.
I didn't linger long on the summit but could have chilled longer as it was about 1pm, I wasn't feeing that hungry so just started for home. I took a different path around the edge of the rocky bit at the top rather than walking through it and I found what I think is a Golden Eagle feather, cool right?
At the foot of the hill there's a number of large boulders and a few of them have their own eco systems on them...I can imagine Benvironment making a 30 minute video all about it
Next thing of interest was this random iron pole. There is no other one, no path or track near it. Anybody know what it might be?
From away up there I spotted a funny looking yellow square. So that's where I was heading to next, the walk out was being made fun. On my way over to the feature I found 2 antlers. I carried them both for a while not really sure what to do with them at this point...
And here is the yellow square, turns out to be a bog
It sticks out like a sore thumb in the landscape.
I crossed the burn and found a track. It would lead all the way back to my car.
A cracking place to be, what an enjoyable walk. I could hear a Cuckoo belting out that unmistakable call.
So many ruins in this glen, it's rather sad in a way.
I had decided to keep the smaller antler but the bigger one, well there it is. I made a contribution to the little cairn near the start of the walk
Oh, it couldn't all be positive I guess
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Walked alone)
