Carn Gorm circuit, the snow's here

[maxie23]

Forecast for 28 October promised light winds and good visibility on the tops.
Travelled up to Glen Lyon, through Killin first, then along Loch Tay, finally along the single track road to Invervar and parked in the off road car park, only one other occupant there at 06.45.
Outside temperature was -3, got booted up and started walking at 07.00.
Followed WH route across road and through gate.Old Lint Mill at start of walk by robert irvine, on Flickr
Up through area of felled trees, watch your footing, branches and logs lying everywhere.
Through gate, follow sign pointing left and follow track until you cross the Invervar burn on the shoogly bridge, really could do with a bit of tender loving care.Follow the signs, please by robert irvine, on FlickrI'm no expert, but this does not look safe by robert irvine, on FlickrNice view of burn by robert irvine, on Flickr
Looking back down the burn you could see the sunrise in Glen Lyon.Sunrise down in Glen Lyon by robert irvine, on Flickr
After crossing the burn the path skirts along the edge of a forested area and then heads uphill across open ground, which would normally be a bit boggy but was frozen solid this morning and then you catch your first glimpse of the top of Carn Gorm.Carn Gorm peak with snow and first rays of sun by robert irvine, on Flickr
The early sun was producing some gorgeous colour effects on the hillsides.Close up, cracking colours by robert irvine, on Flickr
Bit of a slog now, up to the snow line.Almost there, through the snow by robert irvine, on Flickr
Wind chill on top was forecast to be -8 to -10 and it certainly felt like it, bitterly cold early morning summit, lovely.Cold and windy summit, cracking views by robert irvine, on FlickrAnd again by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Gorm summit to Meal Garbh, Carn Mairg and Creag Mhor by robert irvine, on FlickrLong shadow to second cairn, Carn Gorm by robert irvine, on FlickrClose up of second cairn, Carn Gorm by robert irvine, on FlickrBen Lawyers range by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Gorm summit to Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin centre, Ben More and Stob Binnein right by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Gorm second cairn back to sunny summit cairn by robert irvine, on Flickr
I crossed to the second cairn and was trying to get a photo down to Loch Rannoch when I noticed this, my first view of a broken spectre.Broken spectre from Carn Gorm top by robert irvine, on FlickrBroken spectre from Carn Gorm top 2 by robert irvine, on Flickr
Finally the mist cleared and I got a view of Loch Rannoch.Carn Gorm down to Loch Rannoch by robert irvine, on Flickr
Also took a picture of a lonely looking cloud floating past.Lonely cloud from Carn Gorm close up by robert irvine, on Flickr
Bit chilly to hang about so I made my way down the far side of Carn Gorm, there was a lot of icy snow on this side, bit slippy at times.Carn Gorm summit from descent by robert irvine, on Flickr
Down to the bealach and then back uphill towards the second Munro, Meall Garbh.Meall Garbh from bealach by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Gorm and An Sgorr from bealach by robert irvine, on Flickr
It's not a very long climb before you reach the boulder field at the top of Meall Garbh.Approaching Meall Garbh top, god it looks cold by robert irvine, on Flickr
By now, the weather had clouded over a bit and boy did it make for some cold looking photos.Meall Garbh summit by robert irvine, on FlickrHelp. I'm bloody cold and being blown over by robert irvine, on FlickrSchiehallion lurking in background by robert irvine, on FlickrMeall Garbh summit sculpture with Lawyers range behind by robert irvine, on Flickr
Once again, I did not hang about long and began the long trek to the third Munro, Carn Mairg.On the long and broad ridge to Carn Mairg by robert irvine, on Flickr
On the way, the blue skies returned.Nice photo by robert irvine, on FlickrStill on ridge to Carn Mairg by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Mairg in distance by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Mairg in distance close up, is that a contradiction by robert irvine, on FlickrCreag Mhor summit close up by robert irvine, on Flickr
Finally, after a long trudge through the snow, the summit came into view, hooray Carn Mairg summit, hoorah by robert irvine, on Flickr
The summit cairn did provide some shelter from the wind so I sat here for a while and had lunch, lovely place to be.Carn Mairg to Schiehallion by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Mairg to Lawyers range by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Mairg to Creag Mhor by robert irvine, on FlickrCarn Mairg back to Carn Gorm by robert irvine, on Flickr
Leaving the summit, you should keep to the left of the crags and descend carefully, aim for the left of the very prominent dyke.Carn Mairg summit descent, aim for left of dyke by robert irvine, on Flickr
Then follow the path down to the bealach and up to the top of the fourth Munro, Creag Mhor.Creag Mhor from bealach by robert irvine, on Flickr
I must admit, my legs were beginning to tire a little and it became a bit of a slog up to the peak, but worth it, as always.Creag Mhor summit peeking out by robert irvine, on FlickrCreag Mhor summit cairn by robert irvine, on Flickr
By now, the wind had really dropped and it was a pleasure to have a seat and enjoy the views, especially when you knew that this was the last climb of the day.Creag Mhor summit to Schiehallion by robert irvine, on FlickrCreag Mhor summit back to Carn Mairg by robert irvine, on FlickrCreag Mhor summit back to Carn Mairg, Meall Garbh and Carn Gorm by robert irvine, on Flickr
Popped across to the second top for a quick look before going down.
The descent route is along a wide grassy ridge, following a very obvious stalkers path. The ridge back down to Glen Lyon by robert irvine, on Flickr
Towards the end of the ridge, you turn right at a way post and the path steepens a bit until you arrive back at the area of felled trees again and retrace your steps back to the car park.
Cracking days walking in mostly great weather and four Munro's bagged.

Carn Gorm circuit, Glen Lyon 28 October 2018.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

P.S on photos, should be Ben Lawers, not Lawyers, duuuh !

[Alteknacker]

Stunning weather to do this bunch in, and you've got some great pics of them.

I thought I was fortunate to do them in good summer weather, but nothing beats a bit of white to set off any hill to maximum advantage!

[maxie23]

Stunning weather to do this bunch in, and you've got some great pics of them.

I thought I was fortunate to do them in good summer weather, but nothing beats a bit of white to set off any hill to maximum advantage!

Thanks Alteknacker.

Agree with you about the snowy tops.

It's weather like this that makes it all worthwhile.