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Caisteal Abhail was the only Corbett on Arran that had eluded me, I'd made a couple of attempts but had to retreat each time due to weather, The first attempt had been via Suidhe Fhearghas but very poor visibility and very high winds made the traverse of the Witch's step particularly treacherous, the second attempt was via Beinn Tarsuinn and Cir Mhor in torrential summer rain, being soaked to the skin I called it a day after Cir Mhor and headed back to Brodick for a pint and a fish supper.
- Caisteal Abhail from Ardrossan
The previous weekend Arran and Kintyre had been battered by a freak snowstorm which had left them without mains power for over a week, this had left perfect winter hillwalking conditions, the weather report indicated that conditions would be cold, crisp and clear.........this was my day to bag my final Arran Corbett
- North Glen Sannox burn
I boarded the bus and headed to the North of the island, the bus had four other walkers, I thought to myself that they were just the usual walkers heading for Goat Fell who just couldn't be bothered with walking from the ferry terminal (it doesn't count unless you do), to my surprise they all got off with me at North Glen Sannox, once suited and booted we headed off up the path together.
- Falls at North Sannox Burn with An Tunna in the background
By the time I reached the 200m contour the snow was already 15cm deep, it was then that I got my first good look at the conditions on Caisteal Abhail, I crossed the North Sannox burn and headed up Sail An In
- NW face of Caisteal Abhail and North Glen Sannox burn
Conditions on Sail An Im were still freezing with some gorgeous ice falls
- Ice fals on Sail An Im
The snow became thinner on the more exposed areas of Sail An Im which helped us gain altitude more quickly, soon we had a great view of North Glen Sannox
- North Glen Sannox from Sail An Im
.....and Lochranza (spot the castle)
- Lochranza from Sail An Im
From this point onwards the compact snow and underlying ice meant that it was time to put on my trusty crampons, it was a straightforward ascent along the ridge to Caisteal Abhail with some spectacular formations of rime ice on the boulders
- Rime iced boulders on Caisteal Abhail
The top of the mountain has several false summits, known at 'The Castles'
- West Tor on Caisteal Abhail
After a nervous travers of a snow covered steep slope I finally reached the true summit
- Caisteal Abhail Summit
The extent of the previous weekend's snow storm were more evident on Goat Fell's western side with the real danger of avalanche
- West face of Goat Fell and Cir Mhor
Even the western hills at Pirmilll still had a good covering of snow
- Pirmill Hills to the West
After leaving the summit we headed south towards Cir Mhor, giving us a great view of the Southern face of Caisteal Abhail
- South Eastern face of Caisteal Abhail
as we'd all climbed Cir Mhor previously it was agreed that we would by pass it and head into Glen Rosa via Fionn Choire
- Glen Rosa from Fionn Choire
this gave us a great view of A'Chir and Beinn Tarsuinn
- A' Chir and Beinn Tarsuinn
All in all it was the best days hillwalking I'd had in years, all that was left to do was head to the Ormidale for a refreshing bottle of Arran Blonde before catching the last ferry home
- Selfie at the Summit
Route taken
- Route Via North Glen Rosa and Sail An Im