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Beinn Bhalgairean

PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 3:36 pm
by SecondRow

Beinn Bhalgairean.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



Having previously climbed Beinn a’Chleibh, using the network of forestry path from Corryghoil, I had been saving the similarly accessible Grahams for a similar quick trip during the short winter’s days.
Once again, leaving the car at the bottom for the Corryghoil track, I cycled uphill keeping the river to my left and passing under the railway bridge. As usual, once the gradient increased, the cycle turned into a ‘push’, but the promise of an easy return journey made the effort worthwhile.

On reaching the line of forestry, that acts as a barrier to the slopes of Beinn Bhalgairean, I spotted what looked like a decent break in the trees, that would allow me to pass to the higher the slopes. Hiding the bike in a ditch and as always taking a GPS bearing, I cut up through the trees. It didn’t take long to discover that my assessment that this route would allow clear passage was wrong, so rather than admit my mistake I was soon ducking and fighting my way through dense forestry while being scratched to pieces. After a miserable half hour or so, a stream presented itself, which allowed a slightly easier jaunt along the banks before eventually arriving on the clear hillside.

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From here on my luck improved, and the ascent was pretty straightforward, even finding the gate in the deer fence at first attempt. Visibility was as to be expected on a damp day in January, though I was shocked by the absence of snow on the higher summits.

After a quick cup of tea on the top, the descent was made, following much the same route, up until the last part, where bearing to the South I found much easier track going through the trees, back to the road. A little more patience to begin with and it could have been a much easier ascent!

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Quickly finding my bike as I had left it, I rattled down the track like a bat out hell, dodging a couple of forestry vehicles on the way.