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Ciste Dhubh 100th Munro

PostPosted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 7:23 pm
by kenny3760
I was looking for an interesting hill to make my 100th munro. At this time of year it had to be fairly short, to be completed in daylight. I selected Ciste Dhubh having seen it when I climbed A'Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire a few weeks ago. It looked to have the right ingredients, fairly short with some nice ridge walking.
I set off from the layby just east of the Cluanie Inn and made steady progress up towards Am Bathach. At this stage the views start to open up and I could see that I had hit it lucky with the weather, only clouds about were well above the summits.
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The ground was now frozen underfoot but there was only light dustings of snow, with the occasional icy puddle so nothing to worry about. Headed down into the Bealach a Choinich and picked my way through the boggy bits as best I could. The initial climb out from here is a steep wet affair with plenty of boot sucking mud and bog but it eventually gets better. Soon enough I was up onto the ridge and made nice progress. I decided to take the lower path past An Cnapach and was soon on the narrowing ridge to the summit of Ciste Dhubh. This didn't disappoint, being airy enough to add a bit of spice to the walk.
On the summit there was a bit more snow but still nothing of any consequence (that is still to come), and I dropped my pack at the small cairn. I pulled out the hip flask and had a wee dram of Mortlach to celebrate. I don't usually have a drink when I'm walking but I figured it would be alright on this occasion. Took some pictures and then headed back down. Coming down I took the higher path over An Cnapach with was airy but with no difficulties, I'd recommend this path over the lower one.
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Once past the bealach I headed down An Caorann Beag on the east side of the burn. The path is pretty poor on this side and I wonder if it would be better to cross over onto the west side as lower down it appears to have a vehicle track. Back out onto the road and a short walk back to the van.

Re: Ciste Dhubh 100th Munro

PostPosted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 9:39 pm
by Huff_n_Puff
Congratulations - a lovely hill and some smashing photos :D :D

Re: Ciste Dhubh 100th Munro

PostPosted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:27 pm
by Graeme D
Nice one and congratulations. :clap: But for it not being a particularly good day a week past Saturday, it would have been my 200th.

Re: Ciste Dhubh 100th Munro

PostPosted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:29 am
by rockhopper
congratulations centurion :clap: - good choice - cheers :)