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Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be


Postby kevsbald » Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:45 pm

Munros included on this walk: Càrn Mòr Dearg

Date walked: 11/01/2011

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 11.5 km

Ascent: 1200m

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3 days off! As I left Glasgow and the swine flu factory, the forecast was supposed to be excellent for the Fort William area. I knew my destination, I just had to get there but the car wasn't beating as fast as my heart. My excitement was palpable as I headed across Rannoch Moor, digesting the completely white, serene beauty. Fit a fair amount o sna had fallen. As I zoomed through Fort Bill and headed down to the North Face car park, I was positively champing at the bit. I had been saving CMD for such a day as this - views across to the North Face of Nevis, Aonach Mor's plunging cliffs - could it all live up to its billing? Oh yes. The path which leads up to the Allt a Mhuilin is excellent and though steep, it does lend itself to a quick ascent. As I emerged from the trees, I had my first sight of the Ben in all its Winter glory. You beauty!
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It awaits...
I cracked along the hard and icy path, which was surprisingly easy to walk on - just enough give that it wasn't slippy. As I headed along the Allt a Mhuilin, I could see a couple of walkers further ahead but their objective lay on the North Face. I would have CMD all to myself - yeay! I began to ascend via the South-West slope which looked benign - my intention to take in the whole ridge to the summit. After leaving the path however, I was wading in thigh deep snow - this was going to be a real test of endurance for me. As I climbed higher, the views over to Ben Nevis were truly majestic.
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The North Face
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The North Face, a wee bitty higher
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Looking over to the wee lochan near the Tourist path
It took me some time to make it to the 1010m top but once i got there, I stopped for a breather and to take in the vista. It was incredibly quiet - so much so that I could hear the excitable chatter over on Aonach Mor of the skiers, and the low thrum of the generator. The plunging cliffs of Aonach Mor were remarkable and I wallowed in the moment.
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Aonach Mor plunging cliffs - like an icy comb
My next objective was Carn Dearg Meadhonach and I hadn't expected to see such a sharp prong, sticking into the sky beside - it looked amazing but was dwarfed by the top and the huge corrie wall.
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Carn Dearg Meadhonach
By now, I was really beginning to struggle and found myself wondering if I'd make the actual summit of CMD. It was 1300 so a walk along the arete was out of the question. It had taken me 3.5 hours to get to this point. I kept going and once on to Meadhonach, my heart sank as I realised there was a still a bit to go in both height and distance. However, how could one not be inspired by the jagged tooth sticking into the air and the ever more impressive North Face of Nevis?
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CMD - the fang!
I plodded on through the snow and eventually sat on my arse on the exposed summit. Is there a better place to be in Winter on the mainland - it was literally breath-taking.
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Looking over the arete - stunning
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The Ben
I had my lunch (has food ever tasted so good?), took my photos and returned from where I came. The descent took only 2 hours and as I looked back, I tried to remember all that my eyes had gifted me. It was one of my best days on the hill.
wh10.jpg
Moonrise over the Ben
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kevsbald
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby Merry-walker » Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:49 pm

Wonderful pictures. You had a fab day for it!! 8) :D
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby magicdin » Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:51 pm

cracking day and cracking photos - the one of Aonach Mor is a - well - a cracker :D

did you bum slide on the way down
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby kenny stewart » Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:55 pm

You got the best day of the week Kev, you lucky lucky man you.. :mrgreen: :sick:

Happy hill days :thumbup:
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby malky_c » Thu Jan 13, 2011 5:12 pm

Quality - some massive cornices on the north-east facing corries!

Never been up the Ben or CMD in winter, so great to see some photos.

Nice one 8)
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby baggervance » Thu Jan 13, 2011 5:32 pm

Some wonderful pics Kev on what looks like a glorious day.

What time did you set off from the car park??

BV
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby monty » Thu Jan 13, 2011 5:56 pm

Excellent weather you had there Kev :evil: 8)

It sounds like it was quite a tough one with the deep snow though. Excellent. :D
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby kevsbald » Thu Jan 13, 2011 6:07 pm

BV, I left the car park at 0930.

All, it was a lucky day for me - certainly a wondrous place at this time of year. I contemplated a bum slide but I was worried that I'd set off an avalanche. Of course, when I was back down I looked back up and could see 2 people skiing down towards the CIC hut! Now, that's the way to come off a mountain.
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby magicdin » Thu Jan 13, 2011 6:15 pm

I can't remember what book it was I read a number of years ago ?
But whoever wrote it told of a standing glissade from summit of CMD almost to the CIC hut :D
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby kinley » Thu Jan 13, 2011 6:46 pm

8) Cracking Stuff :D
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby doogz » Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:06 pm

Magic stuff KeV

Had a similarly wonderful day on that hill too....

-11 and much less snow but truly magnificent too

So glad it was good for you .....deserved effort reward 8)

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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby Johnny Corbett » Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:35 pm

Good effort Kev and what a fine day, my kinda day on the hills
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby Sethy2010 » Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:55 pm

Absolutely fantastic stuff :D
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby Paul Webster » Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:57 pm

Fantastic stuff Kev. After reading your report and comparing with Monty's where you walked together the next day, there may be more than one reason why he might put something unpleasant in the post to you. :D
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Re: Carn Mor Dearg - a simply stunning place to be

Postby monty » Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:01 pm

Eureka,
That's the best idea I have heard all day Paul :lol: :lol: :lol:
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