free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
This was the first of two days I was spending exploring around Glenfinnan , the hills for today were Gulvain / Gaor Bheinn and the Corbett Braigh nan Uamhachan . The first part of the route was as described on WH , a long but pleasant approach up Gleann Fionnlighe with Gulvain seeming very distant at the head of the glen .
![2012_0520test0109.JPG]()
- Gleann Fionnlighe, Gulvain in distance
![2012_0520test0114.JPG]()
- An Socachan
Eventually I reached the ruins at An Socachan and turned north up the long ridge leading to the south top . This is a fairly steady and long pull up , the rocky knoll at 855m providing a good excuse for a break , from here the twin summits of Gulvain come into view.
![2012_0520test0119.JPG]()
- Onwards from 855m
Another 100m of ascent brought me to the trig point , thankfully the clouds were keeping well above summit level so the onward route was clear , as was the steep descent to the west I would be taking later on .
![2012_0520test0122.JPG]()
- South top
![2012_0520test0124.JPG]()
- Summit ridge and descent from col to left
The ridge linking the two summits is a lovely walk , narrowing nicely just below the Munro summit which had a covering of crisp snow , lovely views to be had from here .
![2012_0520test0131.JPG]()
- Gulvain summit , looking to Loch Shiel
![2012_0520test0132.JPG]()
- Back south towards col
Returning south along the ridge I reached its lowest point , from here I wanted to head west towards the Corbett . I had found a couple of reports which described a descent route so I headed (nervously) down a steep and unwelcoming looking gully but after maybe 30 m a very faint path cuts off to the left , traversing the slopes and keeping above a line of crags , eventually I lost the path but picked my way down a rocky gully to reach the flatter ground of Gualann nan Osna .
![2012_0520test0144.JPG]()
- Route ahead across Gualann nan Osna
![2012_0520test0146.JPG]()
- View back to descent , running from notch at the low point diagonally to the right of the picture.
After a quick lunch stop I headed onwards over the ice scoured bealach to ascend the steep nose leading up onto the summit ridge . This ridge is a nice wander on grassy ground , before long I had reached the 795m summit of the Corbett , a great wee viewpoint .
![2012_0520test0148.JPG]()
- Approaching the summit of Braigh nan Uamhachan
![2012_0520test0150.JPG]()
- View west to Streap and Sgurr Thuilm
![2012_0520test0153.JPG]()
- View north from summit , Glen Dessarry and beyond .
![2012_0520test0158.JPG]()
- Aonachs, CMD and Ben Nevis (zoomed)
![2012_0520test0155.JPG]()
- On to the south
![2012_0520test0157.JPG]()
- Sron Liath
From the summit the ridge meanders pleasantly along , a fine stone wall on its crest , eventually reaching the 691m point of Na h-Uamhachan
![2012_0520test0160.JPG]()
- View back to the Corbett (L) and Gulvain (R)
From here I headed SE over steep grass , avoiding a few crags on the way to reach the track in the glen beside the forestry, a nice walk out beside the river brought me back to the start.
A cracking walk done in lovely weather , I headed off to Glen Nevis to meet friends for a night of fish ‘n’ chips , beer , midges and a good night's sleep
