Triple Corbett leg burner.

[davetherave]

Date. Sunday 23rd January 2011
Completed by. Dave, Julie and Wilson
Weather. Cloud but clear for short intervals, no wind but cold on the summits
Time. 7 hrs
Distance. 17.3 km
Ascent. 1661m
Hills.
Munro’s x 0
Corbett’s x 3
Grahams x 0

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

Beinn a Chaisteil Beinn Chaorach and Beinn Odhar

Starting from.

Auch… road edge of A82

Another week comes another walking plan. So I made the decision to do this Corbett circuit that I had been putting off for the last while.

Last year we did a 2-day wild hike in the Bridge of Orchy area, this was always going to be an ambitious round especially as we were trying to catch the 5 Corbetts that sit around Auch estate on the way out.

Suffice to say the route took its toll on our bodys, and because of that we only managed Beinn nam Fuaran and Cam Chreag on our final day when heading out.

So the time comes when the wife (jools) asks “what’s our plans for this week then”. She hates Corbetts, and I took great pleasure in telling her of my intended plan. HaHa.

I had planned starting with Beinn Odhar but while walking down Auch ‘s estate road it was mightily hard not to notice how steep the SW face of Beinn Chaisteil was. If we did this route anti-clock wise as planned we would more than likely have to try and find a route down from the summit via the SW face. I never fancied that so we decide on doing it clockwise by heading up the SW first.

This turned out to be a fantastic choice, the higher we climbed the craggier and steeper it got. We kept to the left of the main gully until we were about 650m up then headed diagonally for a bit till we reached a short snow covered SW ridge. From this point it was a fine walk up the ridge and around the Coire head to the summit.

This was taken on the way out Beinn a Chaisteil

Beinn Bhreac-liath

heading for the short SW ridge

summit in sight

looking down the short ridge

Wilson prior to the summit

Beinn a Chaisteil summit

over to Beinn Odhar from Beinn a Chaisteil

we have no idea how this dog manages to see with hair like that.

No views at this point. We just carry on down the SE ridge for about 3km / 4km then head up onto the bealach that separates Cam Chreag and Beinn Chaorach, leaving a climb of about 180m for the summit of our second Corbett Beinn Chaorach.

Beinn Dorain and Beinn a Chaisteil

Towards Ben Challum from Beinn Chaorach

looking to Beinn Odgar

NW sits Beinn Odhar our final summit of the day. Another leg burning, bone crunching and Knee jerking descent was needed.
I was now beginning to understand why Julie dislikes Corbetts so much.
On the descent I had to fit my knee support and take a couple painkillers combined with anti-flamitries. I was sure I heard her muttering under her breath something about being a wimp !

Eventually we topped out on the summit, the clouds had lifted a bit and we managed to see the views. What a fantastic viewpoint this was for all the surrounding hills. I lost count of all the hills I knew and of all the ones I didn’t.

Ben Lui and friends

[

Beinn Dorain , Beinn Dothaidh and Achaladair. Also the SW ridge we ascended on Beinn a Chaisteil.

Pano

Julie and Wilson on Beinn Odhars summit

A wee gem of a hill

Beinn Dorain again

over to Black Mount

Stob nan Clach

Beinn a Chaisteil

Pick of the day was going up Beinn a Chaisteil via the SW. This really is a gem of a hill. The SW route up and the SE ridge down was fine.

We ended up doing a bit of contouring around the hill as there were bulls in the field near the bridge ( NN 331 353 ) that we were going to use on our exit.

[malky_c]

Loooks like a good day out
I'm hoping to do the full round of these 5 when the days get a bit longer. I think I remember your report for the other two last summer. Was it the one where it was really hot and you had massive packs?

[monty]

Hi Dave,
Well done. I just love the way you make a decision on the hoof and go for it. Wilson looks relaxed on this walk compared to some of the wind/rain blown summits you have had him on Nice photies

On the descent I had to fit my knee support and take a couple painkillers combined with anti-flamitries. I was sure I heard her muttering under her breath something about being a wimp !

Jools might have a point there

[Merry-walker]

Cool,.... Dave n Co...

[davetherave]

This may give a better indication of our route up Beinn a Chaisteil.

Dave and the gang.

[malky_c]

was considering avoiding that section but it looks like an ascent route I could enjoy

[kinley]

Mentalist!

That's a very steep ascent - I prefer to keep my hands in my pockets

Shame about the greyness - but a fine report

[rockhopper]

Nice trip Dave - I was just over the other side in Glen Lochay but seem to have had worse weather than you - think you made the right decision

[bootsandpaddles]

I do like to see Wilson enjoying his days on the hills!

[gaffr]

That group of hills is a classic Corbett circuit. The three nearby ones are more than enough for a shorter January day! I remember that you visited the further out two on an earlier tour. Ours was an early spring visit, so much more daylight, and by the time we reached your first top, our last one, we couldn't face bumbling our way down the area of your ascent route so went down the SE ridge until we could reach fairly easily the Track out to the Auch glen...perfect for oldies Young Wilson has, over the last year or so, just grown into the role of our favourite dog image currently padding around the hills

[rocket-ron]

Dave you like the leg killer walks

[Graeme D]

That'll make kevsbald's year! Nice route Dave (and co.) - remember liking the look of Beinn a Chaisteal when I was up on Beinn Odhar in July and regretted having to pull the plug on the full trip and miss out on that one. I'll be back though!

[Play2End]

I did the proposed route up Beinn a Chaisteil with a couple of mates from GHC last Sunday. The route is straight forward but stay to the left of the burn all the way up. It is only steep grass, there is no rock involved in this ascent. It took just over an hour to do from the main track. We then went on to do Beinn Odhar and then on to the Green Welly.