Meall a'Choire Leith

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

This was a great half-day's walk (ideal before the long drive home).

Views later on the walk were marvellous - although you would not have guessed it from the gloomy and very windy start. Yesterday's bleak east wind was still in full force, and seemed to be centring its fury on the Ben Lawers massif. Unsurprisingly, mine was the only car in the car park below the lonely cairn above at Lochan na Lairige.

Looking back to the lochan and the dam.

IMG_2587 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Looking back to Meall nan Tarmachan from Meall nan Eun.

IMG_2589 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Although the weather was unpromising, I was enjoying the walk. The path over Meall nan Eun took me quickly and easily over the watershed and down to a waterfall on the Allt Gleann Da Eig.

IMG_2597 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

In the Valley of Two Eggs - looking from just above the waterfall towards Meall nam Maigheach.

IMG_2594 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The path followed the chattering stream for a while. Only the top of Meall na Tarmachan was visible from the floor of the valley. But above the skyline, I could see that the western sky looked brighter.

IMG_2608 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

However the wind was still strong and easterly, so I did not get my hopes up.

The path contoured round into the little side valley of Coire Gorm.

IMG_2620 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Rather than tackle the steep slope of Meall a'Coire Leith direct, I followed the stream up towards the head of Coire Gorm - a very pleasant route sheltered from the wind.

Meall a'Coire Leith from Coire Corm.

IMG_2622 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Near the head of Coire Gorm - the stream is now just a dark line amid the snow.

IMG_2625 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

I crossed the stream and headed up to the bealach between Meall a'Coire Leith and the main Ben Lawers massif.

IMG_2630 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The wind was very strong at the bealach and all along the ridge up to the summit. But there were some fine (but bracing) views of the stormy clouds enveloping the Ben Lawers summits.

IMG_2632 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Looking across Coire Leith.

IMG_2633 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

But the weather was now improving. There was a clearing view across to Meall nan Tarmachan. I loved the contrast in this view between the smooth foreground slopes and the rugged Tarmachan landscape.

IMG_2634 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The summit cairn came into sight.

IMG_2645 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

As I walked up to the cairn, the western sky turned blue and bright. Meall Ghaordaidh is just above and to the right of the cairn.

IMG_2648 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

West from the summit. I think the prominent scarped hill is An Grianan above Glen Lyon.

IMG_2657 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The panorama was actually better from the western edge of the summit plateau, with Gleann Da Eig as a foreground.

IMG_2660 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Getting back down to Coire Gorm was quick.

IMG_2663 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Scenes looking back up Coire Gorm.

IMG_2664 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2666 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2668 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Sun glinting on the snow.

IMG_2676 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Back in Gleann Da Eig, looking ahead toward the north ridge of Beinn nan Eachan.

IMG_2673 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Everywhere was looking nice now.

IMG_2682 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Meall nan Tarmachan ahead.

IMG_2679 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Meall Corranaich from near the stream.

IMG_2688 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Sunshine on the waterfalls.

IMG_2698 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_2702 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Looking back from the pah on Meall nan Eun to the Meall Corranaich ridge

IMG_2711 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Meall nan Tarmachan from the Meall nan Eun path

IMG_2709 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Last sight of Meall a'Coire Leith

IMG_2712 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Meall nan Tarmachan

IMG_2716 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Looking down to the Lochan na Lairige, last few steps back to my lonely awaiting car.

IMG_2718 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Romance?

IMG_2719 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Meall Corranaich from the start of the long road back to Birmingham

IMG_2721 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr