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Tarmachan Ridge

Tarmachan Ridge


Postby Woodsy Boy » Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:56 pm

Route description: The Tarmachan Ridge

Munros included on this walk: Meall nan Tarmachan

Date walked: 23/01/2012

Time taken: 5.15 hours

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The road up to the parking with Meall nan Tarmachan looking majestic covered in snow


With favourable weather reports and a couple of days off from work , the chance came to get back out on the hills.
Looking for somewhere not too far for a solo drive from Glasow and to mark up another munro i decided to tackle Meall nan Tarmachan.
Finally arriving after the drive i was looking forward to getting started and out into the fresh air but with fresh snowfall and a car with rear wheel drive the road up from the forest to the start caused me some problems and i wasted around 25 mins trying to get further up the road. So after reversing and finding somewhere to leave the car it was time to get the boots on and set off. Just as i was doing this another car was also struggling to gain any height so the driver just reversed and parked at the back of me.
After a short walk up the road i reached the gate to start the walk at 10am.

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Go through the gate with this sign


Follow the path down at the other side of the car park for around 20 metres then take a right and follow the path as it steadily rises towards the shoulder of the hill.

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Go through this gate after you take a right just after the car park path


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Keep following the path and cross this bridge


You keep to the path then go through another gate where you are now onto the slope up to the South East Top.
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A path of ice and snow up the hill


After a short descent from the S.E Top you cross another stile then it is the final push up to the true summit.

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Looking back to the South Top


As i was reaching the top there was 3 blokes who i had quick chat with. They were up from Newcastle for the weekend taking in a few munros then driving back down after this , their final munro of the weekend.

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My next target Meall Garbh


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Looking back to MnT with Newcastle blokes


Although the conditions were nice, crisp and clear it was still chilly up there and the fingers at times were very cold. Trying to take photos with gloves on and sometimes off was not ideal.

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The ridge going west from Meall Garbh


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Looking back to Meall Garbh and MnT


As in other reports there is a rocky section coming down off Meall Garbh which can be a bit dodgy in icy conditions and when i reached it , i just turned round again and went back up a few metres. Looking back down i aimed slightly to the right which takes you down through the grass which is a lot easier.
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As you come down go towards the right



Coming down off Meall Garbh i was looking ahead towards the ascent of B,n,Eachan thinking it looked easy enough although as i started my ascent it turned out a bit steeper than it looked and i found myself really kicking steps and using my axe as i made my way up through the rocks and snow .

As i came down from Beinn nan Eachan i decided to leave the last top and just aim for the bealach and go for the walk out.

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The bealach in sight with Creag na Caillich up behind it.


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A dirty big cloud coming in over Creag na Caillich


As i left the bealach i aimed South East past an old quarry onto a track taking me all the way back to the car park.
Arriving back at the car 5 1/4 hours later it had been an enjoyable day out on the hills.
Woodsy Boy
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby starrynights » Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:14 am

Lovely pics Woodsy. I haven't kept a list of the hills I've walked (I really should start doing that :?) - so it's nice to be reminded of an enjoyable walk by reading a report on here. I didn't do it in winter - looks stunning. :thumbup:
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby Vick1 » Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:13 am

Well jealous now as that was my favourite walk last year - crackin photos bring it all back :)
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby dooterbang » Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:11 pm

Brilliant photos Woodsy - how the **** did you manage that :shock:

What a day to be out, jammy git!!

Glad you got to use your ice axe - been a while :wink:
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby quoman » Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:56 pm

Cracking report and picture's there woodsy.

Its good to see what the ridge looks like i done it in the clag last year but its one i will deffo do again
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby pollyh33 » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:29 pm

Outstanding Woodsy!!!! :D :D :D

Absolutely stunning photographs and fabbie report- loved it :thumbup: :thumbup:

P X
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby Fudgie » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:55 pm

That was a great read. I'm tempted to head for that area tomorrow but I'm very undecided :D
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby mgmt! » Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:48 pm

excellent stuff woodsy boy, looks like you had a great day
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby Collaciotach » Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:02 pm

Great photos and a belter of a day :)
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby Paula Hubens » Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:35 pm

Wow, fabulous!!

Woodsy Boy wrote:As in other reports there is a rocky section coming down off Meall Garbh which can be a bit dodgy in icy conditions and when i reached it , i just turned round again and went back up a few metres. Looking back down i aimed slightly to the right which takes you down through the grass which is a lot easier.


Thanks for this tip, it will come in handy when I do the Tarmachan Ridge this summer!
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby Alastair S » Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:35 pm

Top stuff - some wonderful photos too :thumbup:
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby Johnny Corbett » Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:26 pm

Good stuff woodsy and a cracking day for it, i did this in cloud and by the time i was down in Killin it was clear blue sky :?
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Re: Tarmachan Ridge

Postby lomondwalkers » Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:44 pm

Superb Woodsy 8) Been on MnT twice and seen heehaw, so nice to see what I missed, and in its winter coat too 8) Hopefully 3rd time lucky sometime this year an I can finally take on the ridge walk. Cheers :D
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