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It was time for our monthly walk this weekend. MWIS was indicating east was better than west. So we settled on my two remaining Glen Lochay hills. Whilst not technically east the area is covered by the southeast highland report. So if we got the west weather 30% chance of cloud free & a little drizzle. If the southeast it was 60% & no rain expected.
Left Glasgow at 06:30 picked up Gammy on the way & at the start point for 08:15 to meet the others. We had ignored the ‘please park hear’ sign & gone to the road end, thus saving 2k. Top start.
The track up & then along to the Alt Batavaim, were you leave it, is a good gentle start although 7K. Much banter & general merriment. Once of the track the path is not obvious so we made our own way along & then up to gain the ridge of Sron nan Eun. We stopped at about 650 meters for a bite to eat before entering the clag.
Once on the ridge a combination of satmap & compass bearing took us to the summit of Creag Mhor after 4 false summits & our pal George asking ‘is this it’. By this point we were all cursing not having put on water proof trousers earlier as we were soaked & being battered by the wind & rain. Carefull bearings off to avoid the crags & what seemed like an age before we hit the bealach. Another food stop, whilst gazing at the bulk that was the route to gain the ridge for Heasgarnich. Head down, grit the teeth & keep going. The closest we got to banter was my friend Harry saying .don’t evens peak to me’ when I asked him if he was ok.
Like true professionals the summit was made & even in the clag & rain we managed a group photo.
And then………………………
……………..it all went pear shaped.
We could not follow our bearing from the summit because of a huge cornice. So we walked on until past it. Peered down in the clag, looked much like straight down. No chance of decent here. Walked on further & found a possible way down. By this point we knew we were not in the right place. The satmap was damp & fuzzy so after some debate we elected to head down trying to stick as close as possible to the bearing. Much relief when the worst was passed as it was quite hairy in parts. We were now faced with a bloody great ridge in front of us, so around we went.
And then……………..
…………….it all went pear shaped.
Huge peat bog. Five out of seven made it across fairly unscathed leaving just Colin & I. He went knee deep & stuck. I held on to him while he used his poles to dig his feet out. Once out we looked for a different spot. I opted for one with two reasonable looking clumps of grass in the middle, jumped, missed & was waist deep next to the remnants of a sheep before I knew it. I was stuck with no chance of freeing myself. In the end Andy & Paul managed to pull me out some 40 minutes after I went in! A big thanks to them & the others for mental support.
The time was about 5pm & my original estimate was that we would be at the car by 5:30pm. There was a small rise in front of us, once up that the view confirmed that we were roughly where we thought based on Colin’s study of the full map sheet. Looking at Loch Lyon. After a very long walk out we made it back by 8pm having had some views of loch Lyon on the way, from a side I’m sure not many have seen it, and three river crossings.
Not many photos of stunning views, but the ones attached tell the story.
On the summery of the WH notes for these two it says ‘ These two munros give one of the more challenging outings for baggers’. You’re not kidding.
Toughest day on the hills so far both mentally & physically, but already as I sit here typing I’m thinking it wasn’t the best day but it was ok. Must be the sh*t*I was soaked in affecting my brain.
Still kit washed & jacket re-proofed, almost ready to go again. Also thanks to Polly, with whom I was meant to be doing the Lochnagar 5 today (Tuesday) for texting me saying’ Its ok if you’re not up for it. I’ll go to Dalmally’.
- Looking down Glen Lochay
- Towards Sgiath Chuil
- Weather not to bad
- Leave the track just after the bridge
- Tea break
- Summit Creag Mhor
- On the way to Heasgarnich
- Beinn Heasgarnich
- Harry at the top of the crags
- Cragy descent
- Not my best moment ever!