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Nae slow on Beinn a Ghlo

PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:43 pm
by kevsbald
The forecast was excellent and I decided on heading back to Beinn a Ghlo after my failed attempt in February to even get as far as the car park at Loch Moraig. Visibility wasn't the best but it promised to be a hot one later so I lathered the Factor 25 on to my coupon. The route was clear and the scar of a path was prominent on the face of Carn Liath.
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The path to Carn Liath is clear

The obvious path up Carn Liath
A fellow padder was heading for Carn nan Gabhar as he had already done the two other Munro's - I jokingly said I'd race him as he was walking along the glen and while we laughed it off, competitive Kev had to try and burn round. So, I set off at a good pace and happened along the wee hut at the side of the land rover track. From here, I headed across the heather for the path proper and it wasn't long before I was ascending. Having boosted the fitness on Meagaidh a few weeks ago, it wasn't long before I was high up and the only thing that stopped me were a flying group of geese, directly above me. I stopped and listened to their cries and the beating of their wings en masse, it was quite beautiful. Avian aesthetics aside, I tore up the final part and walked along to the summit trig point.
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The Trig Point with the rest of Beinn a Ghlo behind
I could now see my objectives 2 and 3.
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Looking along towards the 2nd Munro
I didn't hang about and ran down to the col between the 1st and 2nd Munro and here i disturbed two wee ptarmigan. I hadn't noticed before that one particular gender has a wee red crop on its head and rather than them flying off, they just sat on the two rocks - can you see them?
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Spot the birdies?
I began the ascent up towards the 2nd Munro (unpronounceable) and it wasn't long before I was at the 2nd summit - it was notably colder here and I could feel that extra 100m difference.
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Summit on Brag Curry Crunch Balgain
I had a sandwich here and a glug of water - what a superb day. The sun rays were beginning to break through and the surrounding peaks looked fab, though it was still hazy into the distance. I headed towards my final objective of the day and was quickly down to the bealach before Airgiod Bheinn. I took a wee rest here and could see a figure up ahead - could that have been the boy I spoke to at the car park? No time to waste, I began the final push up towards Carn nan Gabhar and pushed on to the huge cairn. Moving on from here, I headed to the trig point but there was another cairn in the distance. I rounded this to greet the guy I spoke to at the car park. We both agreed it was a fantastic day but rather than enjoy a leisurely lunch, I got a text with some news that my sister-in-law-to-be was taken into hospital. No time to waste, I began the return journey and headed back as quickly as I could. It was a boggy descent off Airgiod Bheinn but once back on the land rover track, I made good progress. By the time I got back to the car park, I had completed the circuit in just over 5 hours but I was absolutely buggered. Not only that but by the time I got back to Glasgow, my future sis-2-b was a lot better and ready for discharge. Typical. It had been a great round but am struggling to stay awake as I type. I forgot to mention the incredible array of bird-sound at the Loch - it was quite stunning and the full round in Summer is one I'd recommend.

Re: Nae slow on Beinn a Ghlo

PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:41 pm
by yokehead
Nice job on the round. The path scar is a bit of a mess. :( I do like the way you've spiced up the 2nd Munro name. :lol: And I hope your sistb has offered you a few drinks to make up for the effort, shock etc. etc. :D

Re: Nae slow on Beinn a Chlo

PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:58 pm
by Alan S
5 hours seems no bad going for these 3
glad you got good weather its been surprisingly hot this week,hope you never burnt your coupan :D
i just cant find those ptarmigan but my eyesights rotten
im getting jealous of all these good weather reports but hope to get back out soon
good report and pics again by the way 8)

cheers alan

Re: Nae slow on Beinn a Ghlo

PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:25 pm
by Paul Webster
I really liked these hills and your report takes me back. But 5 hours - that's warp speed.

I can see the ptarmigan -do I win a prize :D

Re: Nae slow on Beinn a Ghlo

PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:51 pm
by kevsbald
Legs are wracksed today. :(

The Hobblit