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Second attempt at 100

Second attempt at 100


Postby Steve B » Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:38 pm

Route description: Sgiath Chùil and Meall Glas from Glen Lochay

Munros included on this walk: Meall Glas, Sgiath Chùil

Date walked: 15/01/2012

Time taken: 7.5 hours

Distance: 20.5 km

Ascent: 1220m

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With the good weather forecast I decided to head back to Glen Lochay with the aim of completing the route that I had to retreat from due to poor weather before the New Year.
I left Glasgow at 06:30 and was ready and walking by 08:30. Having been the only car there the last time I was here I was surprised to see 3 cars already parked and more where arriving as I set off.
A nice gentle warm up along the road to the farm with day getting brighter by the minute, it was looking as though the day was going to be a good one.
1- The sun starting to light the Glen.JPG

2 - The moon is still up and Ben Challum in the distance.JPG

3 - Up the Glen with Ben Challum.JPG

I made good progress along the route that has been well described by Pollyh33 and Redrock on other posts. As I was nearing Meall a' Churain the clouds were building and the wind chill was increasing.
4 - Looking up to Meall a' Churain.JPG

5 - Over to Beinn Cheathaich.JPG

6 - Cloud starting to build up.JPG

Visibilty was poor going across the tops but I was at the summit in about 2.5 hours. After a summit shot and no view to admire I headed off after a quick chat with a couple of walkers just arriving.
7 - Summit of Sgaith Chuil.JPG

8 - Clag.JPG

The initial steep section of grass was not as bad as I thought it was going to be and quick time was made down into Lairig a' Churain and out of the cloud. I decided to have a stop here and refuel ready for the next ascent and shelter form the wind.The clouds were showing no signs off moving and were dropping further down if anything.
9 - The way off Sgaith Chuil.JPG

10 - Looking into the bealach and searching a route up.JPG

I had picked out a way up towards the ridge of Beinn Cheathaich on the descent ans as I angled across the slope I caught up with the walkers I met on the previous summit. I decided to follow them up. Eventually we were confronted by a ramp of snow and with the condition of it being very hard we donned crampons and deployed the ice axes.
The slope went up for about 50 metres and the exit got progressively steeper until I was burying the pick into the snow for better stability and re-assurance. It was quite a feeling not being able to see the extent of the snow in any direction and thinking about what a slip may bring. After a final steepening and a step over the residue of a cornice the ridge was made, 20 metres later we were at the trig point.
Bearings were taken and we set off across to the summit of Meall Glas. The way was a bit confusing in the cloud as the ups and downs seemed more pronounced than I felt they actually were. We bumped into a couple of groups of people who had come up from Glen Dochart.
A final snow slope lead up to cairn and number 100 was in the bag.
11 - Happy at 100 on Meall Glas.JPG

12 - Alistair and Mary at the summit.JPG

I had already decided on the NW ridge as a means of decent as I figured that a short distance to a good track and a bridge across the river was preferable to re-negotiating the route back and wet feet. Alistair and Mary, the couple of walkers I had met up with had had the same idea so we set off on the easy walk down and a few bum slides down some snow slopes until we gained the ravine of the Allt Coire Cheathaich. This being the safest route away from the crags at the end of the ridge.
The bridge could be seen below and seemed to take ages to arrive at. A bite to eat once across and a gentle walk back along the track with me feeling well happy.
13 - The bridge by Badour.JPG

14 - The way off is from the low point on skyline.JPG

Thanks to Alistair and Mary for the company on the second hill, I don't think I would have completed the snow slope onto the ridge solo, I would have dropped down and attempted another way.
Steve B
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby Alan S » Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:48 pm

Well done on your 100th munro :D 8)
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby Fudgie » Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:06 pm

Well done on making it to triple figures :thumbup:
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby scoob999 » Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:20 pm

Well done :clap: :clap: :clap:
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby Steve B » Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:03 pm

Thanks for the comments. Hope the next hundred don't take as long as the first!
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby jonny616 » Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:44 pm

Well done on the 100. Great achievement
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby rocket-ron » Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:46 pm

well done on hitting 100
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby iainwatson » Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:15 pm

congrats on the 100! :D

a great achievement! :clap:
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby Collaciotach » Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:45 pm

Good on you in reaching the 100 .... i need to go back to Sgiath Chuil but im no rushing :lol:
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby 2dalmatians » Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:54 pm

Superb effort - if I ever make 100 I will be delighted!!
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby gammy leg walker » Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:36 pm

:clap: :clap: :clap: Well done.
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby PeteR » Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:53 pm

Congratulations on the century :D It's quite a feeling when you hit that summit :D It looks like you had a good time though, despite the weather not playing ball.
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby Steve B » Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:54 pm

Thanks again all. It was a long time coming, about 10 years!!. I am thinking I should be able to do 50+ as I am now based in Glasgow and not down south. Need to be more organised though.
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby pollyh33 » Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:20 am

Jings that made me jump saying my name in your report!!!

Congratulations on hitting 100- that's fantastic Steve.

You're quite right to buddy up with other walkers. Frightens the life out of me when your foot sinks into the snow and never seems to end!!!
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Re: Second attempt at 100

Postby Steve B » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:58 pm

Thanks Polly. It seemed better to refer to reports with good info than just repeat.
It certainly was good to hook up with the couple before hitting that snow!

I realised I was a little out on a previous comment I think it was nearer 20 years to get to 100. But then your mind does start to play tricks :o
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