Beinn a Ghlo in the sun

[maxie23]

Wednesday promised sunny skies and no wind.
Decided to drive up on the Tuesday afternoon and camp out in order to get an early start on what was going to be a warm day.
Driving up the A9 just before Blair Atholl you catch a view of Carn Liath and the erosion damage caused by countless years of walkers. More on that later.
Arrived at the car parking area as the last of the days walkers were heading home.
Picked a fairly level spot and pitched my tent.
Scenic camp site by robert irvine, on Flickr
On the other side of the dyke, six lovely reddish brown cows were lying half asleep in the field. I wandered over to say hello. Word of warning here, the single strand of fence wire on this side of the dyke is electrified, with no warning sign. Bit nippy.
Went on an early evening stroll up towards Carn Liath.
Path up Carn Liath by robert irvine, on Flickr
Back to the tent just as the sun began to set.
Carn Liath at sunset by robert irvine, on Flickr
Up first light and off I went.
Decided to do the route anticlockwise to avoid a long walk out in the midday sun.
Hard surface track and then a good path all the way up until the foot of Airgiod Bheinn,
Airgiod Bheinn at dawn by robert irvine, on Flickr
Here you have a choice,
Hike up the steep flank of Airgiod Bheinn ( in the hot sun ) or continue upstream and climb gently up to the bealach ( in the cool shade with plenty of fresh water close by ).
I picked the second option.
Word of warning, this is your last water source till the end of the walk, stock up.
It was a very pleasant walk up, in the shade with a lovely cool breeze.
I guess it would be a bit boggy after a wet spell, but fine today.
Arrived at the bealach and into the warm sunshine, on with the sun lotion.
Turn right and it's a short pull up to the first top of the day, Carn nan Gabhar.
Carn nan Gabhar summit by robert irvine, on Flickr
There are three cairns here, a fair distance apart.
The first one is on top of a rocky mound.
Carn nan Gabhar first cairn by robert irvine, on Flickr
The second one is at the trig point.
Carn nan Gabhar trig point by robert irvine, on Flickr
Carn nan Gabhar trig point to summit cairn by robert irvine, on Flickr
Finally, the third one is the true summit
Carn nan Gabhar to Cairngorms by robert irvine, on Flickr
Carn nan Gabhar summit to trig point by robert irvine, on Flickr
Carn nan Gabhar summit looking east by robert irvine, on Flickr
It was glorious up here, fantastic views.
No wind and clear blue skies.
Sat here for a long while, only the flies for company.
Time to go, follow the path back down to the bealach, it was hot now, and then up the opposite side.
It's quite a steep pull up here and the sun was roasting, no breeze at this point.
Eventually ( or so it seemed ) the slope eases off and it is then a gentle walk up to the second summit of the day, Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain. Try saying that quickly.
Once again, the views were lovely
Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain summit towars Carn Liath. by robert irvine, on Flickr

Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain summit to Cairngorms by robert irvine, on Flickr

Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain summit looking southwest by robert irvine, on Flickr
Sat here for a good while as well.
Met my first fellow walker here.
Didn't catch his name but he had a small poodle called Rebus, lovely friendly dog.
Then it was time to go again.
Down the drop and back up towards Beinn Mhaol.
Legs were beginning to feel it now.
Lovely breeze had sprung up now, very refreshing.
Met a lot more walkers on this section, great day for the hills.
On to the last top of the day, Carn Liath.
Carn Liath summit cairn to trig point by robert irvine, on Flickr
Carn Liath summit back to Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain and Carn nan Gabhar by robert irvine, on Flickr
Carn Liath summit looking south by robert irvine, on Flickr
Carn Liath trig point to summit cairn by robert irvine, on Flickr
Sat for a little while, weather still good.
Then it was down the steep descent path.
This is very eroded and filled with scree, the scar down the hillside is visible for miles.
Restoration work is ongoing and the bottom half of the path is now a neat set of stone steps.
The top half of the path is full of large sacks of rough stone blocks, waiting to be put into place.
I assume these were lifted into place by helicopter
This will make a tremendous difference and allow vegetation to claim back the exposed parts of the slope.
You really have to admire the amount of work going on here.
Arrived back at the car, puffed out but well satisfied.
Cracking day, great weather and three munros done.

Beinn a Ghlo 2.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[larry groo]

Good stuff. Fine day for it too.

[maxie23]

Thanks mate
Weather like that certainly helps.