An incredible day on Beinn Achaladair and Beinn a'Chreachain
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 8:07 pm
I arrived at the Achaladair carp park at 1030am. I had planed to be there for 9am but as usual I slept in and arrived late I knew it was a loooong walk in, so I left the car park wearing my trainers and had my B2's tied onto my rucksack (still haven't got my summer boots back from my friend). I walked towards Achaladair farm and I arrived, there was a heard of cows guarding the gate into the old climbers car park. There were a few calfs amongst the heard which were being guarded by their mothers. I didn't fancy my chances so I took a detour around the farm and ended up with soaking wet feet and having to climb three six foot walls! After a 20 minute detour, I stopped and put my boots and gaiters on as my feet were soaking. This turned out to be a big mistake as I had to walk almost 5 miles of flat path wearing my stiff boots.
I followed the path until the small bridge which crosses the Water of Tulla. I hopped across the river and walked up the right side of the fenced forest area. There was no path at all on this section and I image it could be easy to get lost. I eventually found the small underpass under the railway and started to make my assent. Once through the underpass, I crossed the river and walked up the track along side the deer fence. The views from this section were incredible. It was a lovely clear morning and the views towards Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and Fort William were amazing.
I was starting to get really tired at this point. I struggled my way up the stream and eventually arrived at Coire an Lochain. I then headed straight up the steeps slops on to the ridge of Beinn a'Chreachain. It was hard going and my legs were exhausted - it felt like I was wearing led boots. After a short struggle and reached the ridge and stopped for a quick bite to eat
I continued up the ridged and by 1445 I reached the summit of Beinn a'Chreachain. The walk towards Beinn Achaladair was straight forward and the light was beautiful.
There wasn't a breath of wind. There was total silence, I couldn't hear a think and felt a million miles away from the nearest person. I walked down the ridge towards the corrie and stopped for some food.
The started to set as I decided down the corrie and the sky lit up with a red glow. There were several herds of dear on the slopes but I couldn't get close enough to get a decent picture.
I arrived back at the car just as the last of the light disappeared. I was exhausted but it was definitely worth the effort.
I tried to post this earlier in the week but I was having issues uploading the images.
I followed the path until the small bridge which crosses the Water of Tulla. I hopped across the river and walked up the right side of the fenced forest area. There was no path at all on this section and I image it could be easy to get lost. I eventually found the small underpass under the railway and started to make my assent. Once through the underpass, I crossed the river and walked up the track along side the deer fence. The views from this section were incredible. It was a lovely clear morning and the views towards Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and Fort William were amazing.
I was starting to get really tired at this point. I struggled my way up the stream and eventually arrived at Coire an Lochain. I then headed straight up the steeps slops on to the ridge of Beinn a'Chreachain. It was hard going and my legs were exhausted - it felt like I was wearing led boots. After a short struggle and reached the ridge and stopped for a quick bite to eat
I continued up the ridged and by 1445 I reached the summit of Beinn a'Chreachain. The walk towards Beinn Achaladair was straight forward and the light was beautiful.
There wasn't a breath of wind. There was total silence, I couldn't hear a think and felt a million miles away from the nearest person. I walked down the ridge towards the corrie and stopped for some food.
The started to set as I decided down the corrie and the sky lit up with a red glow. There were several herds of dear on the slopes but I couldn't get close enough to get a decent picture.
I arrived back at the car just as the last of the light disappeared. I was exhausted but it was definitely worth the effort.
I tried to post this earlier in the week but I was having issues uploading the images.