Beinn Iutharn Mhor & Carn Bhac (& more mist)

[SMRussell]

We set out quite late in the day for these two wet Munros and found ourselves cycling back through the glen in nothing but glorious moonlight.

Taking the mountain bikes out was a great idea as it really saved us time on the long approach through Glen Ey. We left the bikes locked at the ruins of Altanour Lodge at the end of the track. We stopped for a chat with a fellow walker who was heading back towards Inverey. Once the usual exchange of tales were finished we began the boggiest walk we've ever encountered and found ourselves completely alone.

The ruin of Altanour lodge where we locked up the bikes

The weather was miserable and dark with shifting mist. However the climb up Carn Bhac was an easy one once the worst of the bog was behind us.

Bleak views back down the valley

On the summit we were surrounded by mist and had to keep an eye on the compass.

Between the two Munros we found ourselves in even more, and even worse bog - this was when I finally decided that gaiters were a must!

The steep scree covered ascent up to Beinn Iutharn Mhor was great and the only piece of the hike which made us work up a real sweat.

Once this steep section was done it was just a straightforward walk to the summit. As seems to have been typical of our more recent hikes the summit was covered in a blanket of mist so we took a few photos and started heading back.

Beinn Iutharn Mhor in the fog

After going a little off course we eventually found ourselves back in the valley and aside from my hiking partner losing half his leg down what can only be described as a small sinkhole and our ever depleting supply of sunlight the walk to the bikes was easy going.

Final view before the descent into darkness

If the weather had been better this would have made for a really nice afternoon of bagging - a real feeling of being alone in the wilderness.

[RTMcB]

Damn sinkholes!