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Monadh Liath Circuit

Monadh Liath Circuit


Postby Frigate » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:33 pm

Munros included on this walk: A' Chailleach (Monadhliath), Càrn Dearg (Monadhliath), Càrn Sgulain

Date walked: 26/02/2012

Time taken: 8.5 hours

Distance: 27.3 km

Ascent: 990m

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This weeks route was picked by Pigeon in his relentless quest for an ever increasing total of hills bagged. Team - Pigeon, Jim, Huck Finn, Ian & Jake the dug, Watty and Steve (a 1st timer for our group, hope we didn't put him off).

With an 0500 start (what's the 0 for - 0 my god its early) an uneventful drive North through the dawn, drizzle and low cloud to Newtonmore. Where the 3 cars rendezvous'd at 7.35 outside the Co-Op, which did not open until 8.0. However the enterprising staff noted the 'lean look' of Watty accompanied by Pigeon & Jim and threw open the doors early. Sales figures were good as Watty managed the weeks shop to carry up the hills.
Arrived at the car park in Glen Banchor in a boisterous mood, got booted and spurred, order of march and route discussed, noted the woods were a tip - amazing what people dump in them.
Set off up A'Chailleach on the path along the Allt a'Chaorainn, soon to be overtaken by a farmer doing his rounds on a quad bike. A fine demonstration of how to be up a hill minuets and home before the breakfast tea is stewed.
First break was at the bothy whilst inspecting the detritus left by previous visitors, then onward through the drizzle and peat bogs. The team approached the summit of A'Chailleach by two routes, the faithful following the WH route and the other by the more direct route. Something of an energy conservation question, plough through the bog or the steeper clean path ascent. Quick bite and layer adjustment on the top as the wind was freshening but not enough to part the cloud, caught up with two guys who were walking the same route.
The Allt Cuil na Caillich gulley provided enough snow to warrant producing the sledges for the younger element to stop for fun and manly challenges, do believe the stewards enquiry has to reach a verdict on the fastest race of the day.
On to Carn Sgulain along the fence line, loverly mixture of soft snow, peat bog and break-a-leg boulders, should have paid more attention to the map then would have realized that we had to plough back through it to reach the ridge to Meall a'Bhothain.
Due to the wind, in the face and 100m visibility no stopping until Carn Balloch. Check the next part of the route, fuel tank, oil and tyres. It was a long slog for most along the ridge, very wet underfoot and slippery on the boulders, head down and slog on. Then the 'massive' climb to Carn Ban and Carn Dearg loomed out the mist, well it looked massive to tired legs. The crags still contain the remains of an impressive cornice and the clag cleared just enough to show the majestic drop the the coire floor. Five minuets rest then start the descent through the melt water into coire Ballach,
Bit of a numbing walk over the peat hags to the landrover track and down to the foot bridge over the Allt Fionndrigh.
This is where the youngsters came into there own and sprinted ahead (as they do every foot of the way) to set up the executive dinning room. The normal soup challenge required a little more sparkle on this longer walk.
Pigeon donned the chefs hat and became Heston BloominHAM - Bacon Rolls with choice of condiments and kit-kats to follow, whiskey education provided by Glenfiddich 18 year old. Much needed sustenance; note to Fanny Craddock, must take oven glove next time as Pigeon had to sacrifice the fingers of one waterproof glove to the stove god. Tasted better than dinning at The Ritz.
The walk out was hard on the feet but the promise of a beer made it bearable. We had to check out the Glen Hotel for Pidge as he will be staying there in a couple of weeks.

Photos by appointment 'Huck Finn & Pigeon Camera Specialists"
Last edited by Frigate on Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Frigate
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Re: Monadh Liath Circuit

Postby Huck Finn » Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:05 am

Good detailed report Kev :D :thumbup: :clap: , I think I should leave the report writing to pigeon and you and I should just stick to the photos and videos :lol:
I will leave the photos to Pigeon on this one, but I have knocked together a video and by popular demand, I have added a wee tune or two :wink:


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Re: Monadh Liath Circuit

Postby quoman » Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:18 am

Nice video huck finn

looks a boggy place liked the river crossing i was just waiting for the splash :lol:
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Re: Monadh Liath Circuit

Postby Scotjamie » Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:30 am

thanks for that folks
Enjoyed the vid and the description
Hills to leave till frozen I deduce...or go with good company
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Re: Monadh Liath Circuit

Postby Frigate » Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:01 pm

In my younger days would I would not have made a ballet dancer or a gymnast after watching myself at the river crossing i'm sure I could hear my legs creaking
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Re: Monadh Liath Circuit

Postby pigeon » Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:47 pm

Well written account of another great day Kev :thumbup: Brill video as well Huck :clap: Some pics;
001.JPG
the bear heads for the woods
006.JPG
scottish bog jumping champion 2012
009.JPG
scottish burn crossing champion 2012
010.JPG
wooden spoon in the 2012 burn crossing championship
015.JPG
hut
020.JPG
chaz and jim on a'chailleach
026.JPG
sledge race against the cheatin' fifer
027.JPG
weeeeeeeee
034.JPG
nasty trudge up to sgulain
037.JPG
"if ye didnae laugh ye'd greet"-carn sgulain
052.JPG
charlie on the steep crags of carn dearg
059.JPG
Frigate(kev) and pidg
060.JPG
bomber,oz,moxy,neville,dennis,barry and wayne on carn dearg
062.JPG
070.JPG
watty soldiers on
077.JPG
jim guards the bridge
078.JPG
getting tired now
081.JPG
bacon roll £1,kit kat 10p,sauces free,whisky not for sale
085.JPG
the last few yards
Another great day on them hills even though the weather was a bit rubbish,well done to watty and kev for making it round and ian for supplying thr bacon :lol: Also well done Stevie ,hope to see you back with us soon :thumbup:
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Re: Monadh Liath Circuit

Postby Ian Bayne » Tue Feb 28, 2012 7:12 pm

Number one report kev great vid huck the oscars were on sunday pics on the button good day out
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Re: Monadh Liath Circuit

Postby jonny616 » Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:40 pm

Great report, pics & vid. I was up Geal Charn today. Serious boggy sh*t* :lol:
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