That's not Chuil
Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:00 pm
This day out was to set me up for Ben Lomond, my 100th munro. Little did I know that heading up munros 98 & 99 would end up being a soul-destroying outing. I decided to tackle these from the north and took the risk of thinking the ford over the River Lochay would be crossable, thankfully it was, but just barely. I headed off around 8:45 and made good progress past the cottage and up to the small dam next to the track. The track proved to be the only place all day where I'd take a dry step. From the dam it was a slog up to the ridge that leads to Sgiath Chuil. No path anywhere until I reached the ridge and even that path was pretty nasty. Higher up I lost the path due to the snow cover, but I could see far enough in the cloud to stay on target and I had my gps. The slog up to the ridge and the walk up the mushy snow wore me out. I made it to the northern top where I managed to slip on a slabby bit of icy rock and nearly pulled a calf muscle. That was the first time I cursed the hill. After a few choice words I carried on to the summit of Sgiath Chuil. I spent literally 5 seconds at the cairn and headed back to the bealach where the route states that you are to head steeply down between the munro and the top to get off the hill. I reached the edge of what looked to be a fairly good sized snow drift and beyond that it looked like the hill dropped off completely. I had my crampons but no axe on this day, so I decided that instead of trying to step closer to the edge of the drift I would walk along the side of the hill for a while until I could find a gentler slope down. This I found about 200 yards beyond where the route suggests. Things got interesting at this point as the snow was slushy and really slick on the steep grassy slope. I stayed low to the ground, cursing as I went along, and reached some easier ground about halfway down. At this point I had what was to be the only bit of fun I had all day, sliding down the rest of the hill on my bum-sled Once I got to the bealach my legs were telling my mind to call it a day and skip Meall Glas, but my mind had other ideas. Instead of heading straight up Beinn Cheathaich I followed the route into Coire na Saobhaidhe. After what seemed like miles of bog I reached the coire and although I'm sure it's really nice, I was too aggrevated to see anything special about it, so I kept moving to the spur that takes you up to the main ridge for Meall Glas. This was where more curse words dropped. It was a steep walk compounded by slush and slippery grass. Finally I made it to the easier ground at the top and instead of making for the lefthand ridge to Meall Glas I chose to head up the easier looking right side. I found some footprints and followed them to the summit. Didn't hang around here neither as it was windy and cold and I wanted to get to the car. The going was ok on the snowy ridge between Glas and Cheathaich and it was at this point that I saw the only other person on the day. What followed from the top of Beinn Cheathaich was a ridiculous descent through the deepest west snow of the day. Once I cleared the snow line I could see back toward the car, but my spirits were only temporarily lifted. I didn't see the track that you are supposed to meet on the descent, so instead I just carried on to the little pile of stones noted on the route description. From here I walked through more wet nasty bog on the soggy hillside. FINALLY, I reached the track and kissed the ground. After crossing the river I sped off down the track to the car.
I had originally planned to do Ben Lui and its lower neighbor to set up my 100th, but I didn't think the river crossing on that walk would be possible after all the rain. So I stupidly chose these two buggers. It was a pretty horrible day altogether, and I doubt that I even look up toward these two hills from the A85 next time I pass them.
I had originally planned to do Ben Lui and its lower neighbor to set up my 100th, but I didn't think the river crossing on that walk would be possible after all the rain. So I stupidly chose these two buggers. It was a pretty horrible day altogether, and I doubt that I even look up toward these two hills from the A85 next time I pass them.