Beinn Heasgarnich, Glen Lochay - One to remember :)

[Bod]

On arriving at the carpark in Glen Lochay in morning before 9.00am, thoughts were that today may not be the day for this mountain as conditions were threatening and keeping you thinking on your feet. Beinn Heasgarnich has it friends and those who don't feel obliged to return. As you can see though we were in for a special treat. We stuck carefully with the plan, clear in our heads with the safe retreat option and savoured a very special mountain day

The landrover track approach above the valley floor running below Creagan Fhearchair with an exciting view through towards Ben Challum. Most welcoming considering the threatening air in glen on our arrival.

After a thumbs up from the farmer in his landrover passing us on our bikes with Ritchie on a lead, we soon left the bikes above Badour on the Allt Bad Odhar and were heading northwestwards up the slopes.

Stunning lines of grass and snow.

Ritchie tethered to a prominent boulder that was targeted on our route upwards.....weather still surprisingly fair :)

On the snowline now at about 700 metres up the morning takes a turn, but Valerie assures me that the forecast was for wintery shows improving in the afternoon......so taking this opportunity to shelter behind some stones we have some lunch and wait a short while.

And look at this, things are brightening up! :)

Less than 1/2 hour ago, thoughts of going home were being considered? Look at it now and a nice hard crispy surface too, making progress much easier :)

Onwards we go keepings a careful watch on our bearing and looking backwards regularly in order to recognise distinguishing features for referencing on the way back down :)

The summit ridge area of Beinn Heasgarnich reached and what a satisfying place to be. Though on a day like this being a wintery January day not a place to linger too long, stunning and all engrossing. Looking southwestwards here over the Stob an Fhir-Bhogha area :)

Valerie striding out into the winds and the chill, but we are definitely reaching the summit today afterall. We were absolutely willing to return at any point if needs be, and we had considered it more than once, but by good sense and careful judgement was paying off :)

The carefully crafted and moulded cairn of Beinn Heasgarnich appears in the spindrift, and a welcoming sight it sure was, as we were now ready and looking forward to retracing our steps and enjoying the snow fields we had just climbed over in the last hour and half or so ....

Ritchie-boy and I resting for a few moments whilst enjoying the munro climate once again :)

Heading back now 500 metres or so to the point where we accessed the ridge line.

What a wonderful land we live in! Giving it huge respect and care though :)

About to turn left now retracing our still partially visable steps. Very aware though that any white-out condition would have these prints unrecognisable...

Looking eastwards over the Lawers range :)

Guess you call this a selfie? And according to GLW I have been photo-bombed....LOL

Frosty boulders :)

Looking eastwards on the descent .....lovely :)

Looking westwards into rare winter airs :)

Ben Challum proudly standing there, ever present in the upper Glen Lochay realms :)

Across the way to Sgiath Chuil and Meall Glas :)

Our final drop back down into the glen, back down the safe route up that we had so carefully monitored all the way. Glad we brought our bikes today, it was going to be fun cruising back down the track for 6.1km adding yet another dimension to this rewarding mountain day :)

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It took a wee bit of planning and consideration did old Beinn Heasgarnich, more than usual for me. Due in main to the mixed stories I have been told, the warnings of awkward bog zones, the effort required to cover the distances and terrain when including its neighbour. I went for the single munro wishing to focus on the enjoyment of the hill spending time on mainly south facing slopes on a short January day, and the inclusion of our bikes enabled an opportunity to be safe back in the carpark with time to relax, visit the pub in Killin and be back home to enjoy a Saturday evening by the fireside

[The Rodmiester]

I see a lot of homework has been done prior to heading off on the hill. Great day, great photographs and WOW if only all winter days were like that! Fantastic how much ground you can cover when the snow is like that!

[pigeon]

There's not a lot of love for Heasgarnich Bod but we had a similar day to you and Valerie a couple of years back and really enjoyed it,guess you've just got to pick the right day.You deserved a dram or 2 after that

[L-Hiking]

Wonderful pictures and report. An ingenious way to make a tramp over bog and peat hags enjoyable.

[Collaciotach]

Grand report and fab pictures

Did you no fancy Creag Mhor as well ?

[Morecambe Monkey]

Looks like a cracking day out Bod,just reward for the careful planning & perseverance.

[lomondwalkers]

Nice one Bod Thinking of doing the 2 Munros as singles this Winter, so this has definitely encouraged me. A similar day to your would be fab.

Cheers

[gammy leg walker]

Brilliant TR & pictures Bod.

[jonny616]

Stunning. we'll done to you both and the boy Richie for keeping you right. One to remember, very apt I feel. In spite of history I do like the area and enjoyed the two on the other side as winter singles in similar conditions.

[malky_c]

Classic day out . Looks like perfect snow up there.

Can't believe it's 10 years since I went up this and Creag Mhor. Similar snow but very little of the sunshine and views that you had.

[pollyh33]

Great stuff Bod, Val and Ritchie- your photos, bombed or otherwise, are fantastic.

I loved this magnificent hill and Creag Mhor, we had a cracking day.

Its just those drama queens who give these hills a bad name!!!

[Mountainlove]

Aww the days when the mountain god is on your site! Feel the need to get out soon again. I guess I really need to look into ways to take my bicycle with me...only downfall of having a small car!

[mrssanta]

Lovely Bod. this hill scares me a bit as I have read some rather too exciting stories about it. but one day we'll be up there!

[scottishkennyg]

Good images Bod to capture walk and share with readers..well done

[Bod]

The Rodmiester - It sure is great when you don't sink through the crust, especially for me being a big guy. I am used to lugging a fair old trudge when the snowfall and drifts are deep
pigeon - we enjoyed BH very much as well, and a small refreshment certainly was had
L-hiking - this route and conditions did not let down on the day with a lovely approach too (one or two gates to negotiate, but most with walkers' gate too)
Collaciotach - Creag Mhor awaits another exhilerating winters day perhaps?
Morecambe Monkey - patience is a virtue and we were rewarded, Cheers Pat
lomondwalkers - I hope you are graced with a similar day
gammy leg walker - Cheers gammy
jonny616 - Sgiath Chuil and Meall Glas would have been great in these conditions too, cheers Jonny
malky_c - many thanks, and here's to you receiving the views on your next visit to BH
polly33 - Cheers polly, sure was a cracker
mountainlove - I hope you do get out again soon, and goodluck getting a suitable bike rack, rails or carrier for your car
mrs santa - Here's to you enjoying as fine a day too
scottishkennyg - thanks very much, it was a great day on Beinn Heasgarnich

Most appreciated all of your comments, it's magic isn't it to share our adventures