Loch Lochy Duo

[JimboJim]

Charles had been eyeing up this pair for a possible winter hike, but with weather looking fine and other factors taken into account, we decided late on to opt for this pair, taking bikes to shorten the trip, by a few miles Uneventful journey up, aside from the usual magnificent, atmospheric trip, by Rannoch Moor and Glencoe.
We soon got parked up and unloaded bikes. Only takes about 15 minutes of cycling to reach the turn off point for the hill, which one might miss, if travelling as fast as we were

Big Jasper. Pedal Power!

As described, route up through trees and indeed, to the bealach, is quite steep initially and generally very stony, which may have accounted for the nippy feet by the time I got back? Still wearing in new boots, which required a few on-and -off's, to get comfy and also might explain the sore soles. Having reached the bealach, we took a scientific approach to deciding which Munro to go for first. I hid a stone in my hand and Big Jasper, had to pick which one Meall na Teanga, it was, so a quick left turn and ascent round the shoulder of Meall Dubh, soon brought the main climb into view, with the track being clearly visible, even from a distance.

The sun shines, on Loch Lochy, but it was still chilly at times, too.

Barge heading south on Loch Lochy.

It was quite steep in parts, but didn't take too long till we were on the wide ridge and on to the summit cairn. One hour 50 mins to this point. Alas, views weren't too great due to lot of haze, but we could make out Ben Nevis and surrounding hills, due to the amount of snow still visible. Looking over to the second Munro, it was easy to make out the zig-zags heading up much of the route. Thank goodness for stalkers who zig-zag It was still fairly cold and breezy up top, so we didn't hang around long. I still managed to indulge in my lesser hobby of ship spotting, though on this occasion, think it was more of a barge, than ship, heading south on Loch Lochy.

Me on Meall na Teanga, 918m. Was a bit chilly for the t-shirt :)

The stalker' zig-zags, with summit No.2, to the left.

We took the chance to have some grub, in the lee of Meall Dubh, before returning to the bealach and beginning the ascent of Sron a Choire Ghairbh. Jaf, was having three courses for his meal, so it gave me the chance to lead for once, enjoying the relative ease which zig-zag's bring to what would otherwise have been a very steep hike to the north. Before long, the slope eased to a more gentle gradient and we were on the top, just under the three hours from leaving the motor. Still a bit of snow hidden round Choire Garbh and some nice tops around, though again, visibility not the best for good views.

Big Jasper, heading back down to the bealach, having finished his feast :) Meall na Teanga, peeping over the shoulder.

Closer look over to Meall na Teanga behind and Meall Coire Lochain.

Big Jesper, with Meall na Teanga behind and Meall Coire Lochain, behind that.

Yours truly, Sron a Choire Ghairbh.

Jaf on top, Sron a Choire Ghairbh, 937m.

The route back was pretty uneventful, aside from the nippy feet, meeting a few others heading up and nearly not making a bend, as we zoomed back to the car, taking just over the four hours for the trip. Would have been nice to have kept this for a winter walk, but it was a fine trip all the same.

View back down the glen.

Up to the bealach. The route follows the line of an old 'Coffin Road' which apparently was used by crofters from the remote region to the north to carry their dead to the graveyard at Kilfinnan. (WH's :) )