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Ribs appeared to be on the mend and Michael was on the hunt for a pal as he had the Creag Meagaidh munros on his radar. Why not, I figured…. A horribly early start but a relatively easy drive later (the less said about the near Petrol disaster the better
) and we had met at the end point, shuffled cars and set off from the start point on foot. What could possibly go wrong?
It was an easy start along the track and followed the route easily with no mistakes whatsoever
until we found the wee path branching off up Carn Liath. It was boggy and indistinct in places and there was lots of vegetation that kept grabbing hold of things and slowing us down, but we couldn’t help but wonder how much worse it would be once the bracken was growing
Looking back towards the Ardverike hills and wee Binnein Shaus
Soon enough we were on open slopes and although the path didn’t improve, the lack of vegetation (and dead vegetation
) made progress easier!
Looking down the glen towards the impressive Creag Meagaidh
With more height gain the views opened out further – Loch Laggan and the Fersit Hills joining the spectacle
Creag Meagaidh
We lost the path on many occasions and sometimes found it again, but the way was clear and although the hill just kept on going, eventually we found ourselves at the top of Carn Liath.
It was very windy and some unwanted and unexpected clag had gathered over Creag Meagaidh so we hunkered down behind the large cairn to shelter from “Scottish Summer”
It looked like it would blow through and we had a long way to go so we continued along the ridge.
Mike wrapped up warm and the ridge ahead
It was a nice walk along the ridge despite the strong winds and biting cold (extra layers and gloves had been added at the first summit
) as we made our way over the intermediary summits of Meall an t-Snaim and Coire a’ Chriochairein.
Looking back to Carn Liath – a bit of an outlier!
Off I go….
Impressive and pointy and lots of cliffs
There was no mistaking it was a fabulous ridge!
We found a good viewpoint and messed around with some photies. Unfortunately it was crazily windy here and my hat blew off 3 times
Standing on a rock
Lochan a’ Choire
Ahead to Creag Meagaidh – now clear of cloud!
By now we had started to get very cold and it was time to march on to our second summit of the day Stob Poite Coire Ardair. It was extremely windy and I was struggling to stand (Mike had slightly better balance skills
)
The Loch Lochy hills were looking bonny
It was not weather for standing around so we headed off down the path, Mike taking a weird diversion either because of his apparent dislike of paths or because he was after a photo
Approaching the “Window”
Doing his thing
Quite a lot of snow at the “Window” – an avalanche hotspot
Me playing catchup after a photo
It was actually relatively sheltered here so we grabbed the opportunity to pause for some scran – no doubt the wind would hit again once we were back on the ridge…. Sandwiches enjoyed and extra layers donned in preparation, we made our way up the easy path onto the large summit plateau of Creag Meagaidh.
Mike searching for a photo
There was a lot of snow here and it made walking difficult as it was squishy and slushy. We were trying to work out how such a large expanse of snow had survived being in direct sunlight
The summit of Creag Meagaidh reached we were treated to an impressive vista of all the hills in the area!
Ben Nevis peaking out behind the Aonachs
The Grey Corries & the Aonachs
The Easains backed by the Mamores
The many Carn Deargs of Glen Roy
The whole Nevis range
Normal service resumed – Creag Meagaidh summit pose!
Although the wind wasn’t quite as brutal as before, it was still a chilly breeze so we didn’t hang around too long before dropping off Creag Meagaidh towards Beinn a’ Chaorainn which looked impressive ahead of us
Looking towards the Loch Lochy hills
The Beinn a’ Chaorainn ridge and corries as we approach
Our ascent route – doesn’t look too bad at all!
As we climbed we could see cornices drooping from the ridge
And as we gained the ridge the cornices were clearly about ready to give way
There was a wee bit too much haze around but the Nevis range still looking stunning
Loch Treig with Chno Dearg & Stob Coire Sgriodain and the Easains
The Grey Corries
Nevis and the Aonachs
Loch Treig and the Easains
We really hoped this wasn’t the summit
Although I’ll definitely return to this ridge and walk it in it’s entirety – it looks awesome
Loch Treig again
Cornice
From here we walked the few metres around to the summit (fortunately it was the first cairn
) and we could see our walk so far!
We reckoned the hill at the end of Loch Treig in the distance was the Bookle
Beinn a’ Chaorainn summit
I think this is Loch Arkaig in the distance
We left the summit of Beinn a’ Chaorainn and in hindsight it would have been better to stick to the ridgeline but we cut a diagonal line across the hillside towards the bealach. Mike caused great hilarity (for me) as he sunk into a pile of snow and went flying, saving his dignity a little as we turned it into a bumslide
Wee Beinn Teallach had looked like a mere pimple from Beinn a’Chaorainn but looking up from the bealach it was beginning to look like Everest
We refuelled on jelly babies before having at it….initially steep….
Before we found a path and things improved
My breathing really went here and I was struggling with my ribs. Fortunately it was over quickly
On the ridge we could see our whole route
On the summit at last – or maybe not….there were two cairns!
Beinn Teallach – conquered!
Loch Treig
The Easains
Looking down Loch Arkaig
The Garva Bridge Corbetts
Number 5!
It was time to go – we followed our noses and bits of path off the summit. The views were still awesome
Dropping lower we were out of the wind and far too warm
Unfortunately we were also in something of a bog and any hopes of dry feet were dashed.
We picked up something of a track alongside the Allt a’ Chaorainn which was marginally less boggy and this led us to the burn itself – there was no chance of getting across this dry so we both stashed our cameras in dry bags before sloshing across
From here it was an easy couple of kilometres back to the road where Colonel Mustard was waiting for us. And look – I still had my keys
