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On paper this one was a non-starter as I was horribly ill and had a night out with friends the night before…but Colin had found a good forecast which meant a day in the hills was hard to resist
Other than feeling very tired I wasn’t actually feeling too bad as we arrived at the parking area near Loch Moraig which is better known as the Beinn a’Ghlo car park. It was chilly so we quickly got ourselves ready and got going.
Carn Liath, fuzzy because I’m an idiot and hadn’t noticed the lens was on manual
It was cold but it was a beautiful morning. The sun was sparkling on Loch Moraig
We passed through the gate (muddy!) and set off along the track. It was easy walking although a few icy places called for care! My lungs were not working so I stopped for a photo
Looking back to Loch Moraig
And then a bit further on I stopped again (yes, fuzzy because I still hadn’t noticed the settings were wrong
)
Fuzzy for artistic reasons
As we headed over a rise Carn Liath rose impressively ahead of us. I suggested popping over there on the way back
The sun over an unspecified hill
We passed the cut-off to Carn Liath near the wee hut, familiar to us both from previous trips. As we stopped and looked back I saw the unmistakable pose and colour-scheme of Wilkiemurray
We continued down the track for ages, fortunately crossing the burns without problems!
Airgiod Bheinn & pals
Colin searching for meaning
Once we had passed the exit from the Beinn a’Ghlo circuit our path became much fainter and we followed the side of the Allt Girnaig until we found a suitable crossing point.
Glen Girnaig
Looking back
Colin & Jura
Colin made his way safely and easily across the burn leaving him able to photograph me incase I fell in. I had decided the bin bags were unnecessary here and this is a face of intense concentration
Sun hitting part of the Beinn a’Ghlo massif
From here we followed bits of path and kind of followed our noses along the side of the burn.
The imposing Sron na h-Innerach
Once past the steepest part of the Sron we started heading upwards. It was tough going for me as my lungs were still complaining profusely
We hit the ridge and Colin made his way to an outcrop for a photo. I wasn’t going anywhere I didn’t need to and hid behind a rock to water the heather
which meant Colin thought I’d continued and tried to follow….however I saw him heading off in what I thought was the wrong direction and attempted to catch up
That was never going to happen in my state so fortunately he realised
“Colin, aren’t we supposed to be going up that one?” I asked….
Obviously, I instantly forgave him and never mentioned it again….
Looking towards the Gorms
Loch Valigan
Correcting our mistake, we headed towards the correct hill and headed towards the final slog to the top. I decided to contour around whereas Colin went for the straight-line-syndrome option.
Contemplating life
Colin making his way upwards
There was no path so we just put our heads down and got on with it. Plenty of rest stops (photo stops) were required….
Finally on the ridge we followed it along to the trig point where I managed to climb a final hurdle
Colin on the summit
It had been a long trek to this point and we were only half way
Hiding behind the trig point we found enough shelter to stop for a much needed sandwich
The weather appeared to be closing in and we would be cutting it fine for daylight anyway, so after another navigational discussion we headed down, eventually heading to the left of Loch Valigan.
A ptarmigan
Beinn a’Ghlo
Colin heading towards (I think) Creag nan Gobhar
Loch Valigan & Beinn a’Ghlo
Atmospheric
Looking back – Vurich in the background
We made our way downwards, picking up bits of path which led to the diagonal scar in the hillside ahead….
I was flagging by this point; the lack of sleep and horrible cold catching up on me but eventually we met the track to the south of Loch Valigan. It was full of snow and made for some awkward walking for tired bodies. We also saw some mole hills which made for some interesting “where the hell did they come from” discussion
Once we had dropped enough height to leave the snow behind it was an easy walk past the farm at Shinagag and upwards to rejoin our outward track. Despite the weather having closed in earlier we could see the beginnings of a sunset…
We upped the pace and found our way to a sunset spot….
Obviously the ones with me in are Colin’s
Once the sun had set we had an easy couple of kilometres left back to the car where we were able to see enough to take our boots off and Colin even found a Bounty
Carn a’ Chlamain & pals
