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Finally a favourable weather window was upon us so with a weeks annual leave i planned various days walking the hills on both sides of the border
Saturday 24th March i walked/cycled Beinn Bhuide in Argyll, Sunday 25th March i revisited Glenridding in the Lake District to walk Striding Edge and capture a few Wainwrights North of Helvellyn (with the clocks going forward that morning it was a 4am rise!!) and on the 26th March i had been looking at a route which would incorporate Beinn Na Lap at Corrour (i had did the other 2 Munros at Corrour few weeks back from Loch Rannoch) with the 4 Munros surrounding Loch Treig...doing the 5 Munros would also mean my good friend Stevie (woodsy boy) would reach the amazing milestone of 100 Munros
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So Monday came after 2 wonderful days walking/cycling in glorious sunshine where i had witnessed a cloud inversion, had a summit to myself and amazingly scrambled across Striding Edge with not a soul in sight.
I picked Stevie up at 5.15am, at 8.15am we arrived at the car park in Fersit...i had actually felt really tired on this drive and Stevies crap patter wasn't much cop at inducing a caffiene like state, thank god he didnt fall asleep and start snoring though...i had my fair share of that previously
Our route
At 8.30am we began another epic journey/adventure - Stevie and i had spent 2 days walking in Kintail finishing off the Munros in that area 2 weeks ago and on both days didnt see a damn thing, experienced winds of 60mph and endured the constant lashing of heavy rainfall...today would more than make up for it though
From the car park pick up a path and head SW through a forrest and open wet moorland viewing Meall Cian Dearg
I had decided to wear my trail runners knowing full well i would get wet at the start and finish but the pay off would be when up high.
You pass a large concrete pillar before ascending the rocky steep face of Meall Cian Dearg - which was great fun.
This brings you out onto the ridge
Looking NE back down the ridge
Follow the ridge SW all the way to the summit, passing a snow patch
Soon the summit of Stob a Choire Mheadhoin is reached and the views in every direction simply incredible
Continue SW to reach Stob Coire Easain
Only 1km to the summit of SCE which made it easy going, a false sense of security for what lay ahead.
Looking back NE to 1st Munro - Stob a Choire Mheadhoin
It had been pretty easy going covering these 2 Munros but i knew that we had some rocky pathless terrain ahead to reach the banks of Loch Treig below us and the Alt na Lairige.
From SCE follow the ridge South
Finally we reach the river.
Stevie crossed the river when reaching it and fell in soaking his new lightweight goretex sooper dooper boots and socks.
We took a 25 minute break whilst Stevie hung his socks out to dry. I stripped and put a pair of shorts on as the heat was hotter than a vindaloo
Follow a path on the South side of the river which will bring you out at the head of Loch Treig and Creauaineach Lodge
Creauaineach Lodge
Follow the well constructed path over the bridge
Got chatting to a guy measuring up the bridge who had a big smile on his face...no wonder as this was his job, what a day for it
Across the bridge the track leads 2k around the South side of Loch Treig - the views here incredible.
When the Loch is out of view keep to the path 1k SE then 2K East which takes you to a railway bridge.
I was enjoying this little stretch of the walk as the sun was belting down on us...but again i knew it wouldnt be long before the hardest past of the route was upon us.
The Bridge with beinn na lap in the distance - a great place for a food stop.
From the Bridge head East for 1k across the pathless terrain to the shoulder of Beinn na Laps SE ridge then follow this 3k NE to reach the summit. For those who do not wish to include Beinn na Lap simply head North from the bridge to Sron na Gharb Beinn and follow this SE for 5k to the summit of Chno Dearg.
Views SE to Loch Ossian
It was here i met and chatted to a young couple whom had bagged Beinn na lap from Corrour, they looked very happy and seemed to be having a great time in the sunshine....probably surprised to see me with it being a Monday and the trains to Corrour being off.
After a chat i was on my way and soon reached the Summit - Stevie would follow soon afterwards.
It the summit we looked at the map to decide on our route to Munro 4 Chno Dearg. I had decided to take a straight line NW to the top of Meall Garbh with Stevie shortening the ascent by taking a line NNW to Bac na Creige Tarsuinn. If in Clag my line would be better as Stevie had to navigate around some rock.
The pull up to Meall Garbh was over 400M on pathless terrain which looked very steep albeit that it was fine once on it.
It was an awful slog up this and a positive attitude and stamina was required to keep going...i kept at it and was rewarded with a herd of deer cutting across the slopes
Looking back to Beinn na Lap
When i reached the ridge i noticed Stevie about 1k along it and heading to Chno Dearg, defo the quick way he went.
Once on the ridge it was easy going to the summit but i was starting to feel it after the last pull up to the ridge
We didnt hang around at Chno Dearg and swiftly went on our way heading down the slope 1k SW then across rocky undulating terrain NW for another 1.5k to the summit of Stob coire Sgriodain.
Stevie now had his 100th Munro in sight and appeared to have found some jet propulsion as he soared towards the summit...it was a different story at my end, i was struggling and my pace had slowed considerably!! I felt my body needed food but i wasnt hungry and declined to eat, i just trudged on knowing the summit would soon appear...which thankfully it did
Stevie hits the century - well done mate
I reach Munro 189 with Stevie, and probably one of the toughest to date for me.
It was 7pm, the sun was setting and i felt energised again...the views from here astoundingly beautiful...it was time for a photo extravaganza
After slabbering wide mouthed at the views we quickly realised that we would be finishing in the dark, it was now imperative to get onto lower ground before darkness fell as the descent was steep.
We headed North down the ridge 700M then followed a faint path 500M West down some very wet grass laiden with rocks. Once further down head 3K North through open moorland which was very wet and boggy, by this time i wasnt caring about wet feet.
We picked up a path now and again but it was very faint. Darkness was upon us and we donned our headtorches. I had taking a bearing earlier and we followed it till reaching a landrover type track. We then followed this 1k West to the car park, passing some houses on our way.
At 8.30pm we reached the car. We changed and hit the road, stopping at Fort William for sugary drinks, caffiene and chocolate bars.
After dropping Stevie in the East End i eventually got home at 1am
The walk was very hard in places, easy in others, pathless and undulating but we witnessed some breathtaking scenery and felt very remote at times.
Wel done to Stevie on reaching 100 Munros...still elated he managed the gym the next day
Next for me was my planned trip Wed 28th March to walk the 4 Corbetts on Arran...and also to think about the back dated Trip Reports from the last few months ive still to do, i have been rather busy and distracted.