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Beinn a'Bheithir

Beinn a'Bheithir


Postby gman » Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:21 pm

Route description: Beinn a' Bheithir via Schoolhouse Ridge

Munros included on this walk: Sgòrr Dhearg (Beinn a' Bheithir), Sgòrr Dhònuill (Beinn a' Bheithir)

Date walked: 28/03/2012

Time taken: 7 hours

Distance: 15.5 km

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Was fairly hot here yesterday, had smock on at start but it soon went in the pack as soon as I got moving. I did the long route from Ballachulish, everyone else I met had gone from the forestry car park up to bealach then left & right for each Munro. Oh, also used GPS for first time here (etrex 10), didn't really need it today but they work really well. Map & compass more interesting though.

Got to TI car park & headed off just before 10, sun tan lotion & hats necessary today - ice axe/crampons left in car. View of first hills from Ballachulish, head up Beinn Bhan on the right then across to Sgorr Dhearg on left.
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0005.jpg

Went through village, over bridge and past the school to metal gate:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0006.jpg

Straight up here, no path and quite steep:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0009.jpg

Got to fence, no stile so crossed at the big post, view back to village & Pap of Glencoe:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0010.jpg

Boggy heather next, then there's a path that goes across the hill so if you keep going up you'll cross it. This leads right, then up to the ridge. I thought I was looking at both Munros here, wondered why I got there so quickly. :lol:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0020.jpg

The initial pathless walk is probably the worst part, once that's over it's a ridge walk with great views, cairn on Sgorr Bhan:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0026.jpg

Bit of snow on the ridge, but it's off the path. Sgorr Dhearg cairn:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0040.jpg

Aha, there's another one, Sgorr Dhonuill:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0043.jpg

Rocky descent gives way to grass, path all the way. Looking back from bealach:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0049.jpg

And Sgorr Dhonuill looks imposing:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0053.jpg

Exposed sections of path, bit of a scramble up but dodgy bits can be avoided as there are a few routes:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0063.jpg

Spacious at top with great views:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0065.jpg

Over to Mull:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0067.jpg

Cairn with bottle of Bud stuck in it (empty) so someone enjoyed a refreshment up here. Ben Nevis on left, Sgorr Dhearg on right of cairn:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0076.jpg

Rocky scramble back down:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0084.jpg

beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0085.jpg

Path down from bealach:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0087.jpg

There's an iron fence & burn to follow down, you should be on the right of the iron fence when it joins the forest but there's a hole in it down there so easy to cross:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0090.jpg

There's a good path here with stone steps, thought I was heading back uphill but there's a newish wooden gate with a path leading through forest.
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0093.jpg

Path descends through trees:
beinnabheithir_28Mar2012_0097.jpg

Then crosses one track then the next track leads back to A82.

Walked back to Ballachulish, when I passed the pub a guy came out to join his pals in the beer garden. When he saw me walking past he showed me an ice cold pint of lager & said ' you've got to the end, now here's your prize!' :D . But I was driving so couldn't indulge :( . There was also a guy covered in feathers & eggs tied to a chair on a trailer being driven round the village. Stag do or Wicker Man type ritual?
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gman
 
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir

Postby iainwatson » Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:17 pm

great report,enjoyable read! :D

walked the same route as yourself when i walked this,the second Munro looks great on the approach from the bealach!
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir

Postby Jockstar » Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:23 pm

I have done these two and it is nice to see what the scenery looks like as we had pouring rain all day long and ended by the longest walk back to Glencoe Hostel that night! :lol: :lol: Looks like you had a great walk and I always think that the path seems more narrower than it actually is. :D
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir

Postby ChrisW » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:06 am

Great report Gman and stunning pics throughout, that looks a really enjoyable hike with plenty of interest along the way, as for the Stag do or Wicker Man type ritual....I'd get in the car and get the hell out as you did ....just in case :lol: :lol:
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir

Postby lomondwalkers » Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:07 am

Great report Gman, I did this the day before you, the 2nd one really did look quite imposing on approach, but it was good fun :D
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir

Postby Graeme D » Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:38 pm

gman wrote:There was also a guy covered in feathers & eggs tied to a chair on a trailer being driven round the village. Stag do or Wicker Man type ritual?


Just another quiet afternoon in the Highlands! Or maybe a "compleation" celebration gone badly wrong???? :lol:

Great little report gman! :clap:
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