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Did my usual research for these hills by reading some reports. Most recent report, Basscadet (wow!!), Graeme D adding on Ben Tee in a circular (interesting).
Beautiful morning as I parked up at Laggan Locks and I was on my way by 8.15. Flat calm at this point and a bit of heat in the sun even at this time in the morning. The walk from Laggan Locks to Kilfinnan and on in to the woods is really enjoyable with good views down Loch Lochy.
- A gentle flatish start
Into the woods along the Great Glen Way and it's not long before the track breaks off from the GGW.
- No need for a map - then I wondered if there were other Munros here.............
Leaving the GGW the track is still really good and climbs very gradually before reaching the point where the hard work begins and the right turn is taken and the gradient steepens. It's a bit dark as the track heads up through tightly packed fir trees but it doesn't take long before the trees thin out and before long the open hill is reached.
- Clear of the trees and heading for the bealach
Arriving at the bealach I decided to turn left and head for Meall na Teanga first. I wasn't sure if there was a track to this 1st Munro but there was so no probs. Initially quite steep heading away from the bealach but the gradient eases and the target comes in to view.
- Meall na Teanga
- Looking over to Sron a' Choire Ghaibh
From a distance I could see the point where the track was crossed by a massive lump of the white stuff and close up there didn't seem to be any way through and bearing in mind the gradient and the drop it was an easy decision to bypass rather than try and cross.
- A white barrier
- The chicken detour
The grass close to the snow was frozen solid and there was little in the way of grip so it was easier to keep a couple of yards away and use my hands as well to work my way round. Once past the snow drift it didn't take very long to reach the summit.
- Looking down to Loch Lochy from the summit
- Looking down to Fort William
At the top, when the sun was out it was quite warm, when the sun was behind a cloud and the wind was blowing it was time to put the gloves on.
Back down to the snowy bit it was as usual harder to get down so a bit of care was required to avoid a bum slide on the wet grass.
- Zig zag track on Sron a' Choire Ghaibh
After the bealach the zig zag track helps to ease the climb. After the ZZ's it's a straight forward walk up the grassy slope before turning and heading for the summit.
- Looking over to Meall na Teanga
- Looking over to the Corbett Ben Tee from the summit
Mulled over my options, loads of time, great day, the walk over towards Ben Tee looks straight forward and the walk from Ben Tee back to the start looks fine so decision taken, back to the tourist trail and head the same way back down off the hill (sorry Graeme D - I've let you down again!).
- Looking over to Ben Tee
Something I can't remember seeing ever before. The grassy slopes of Sron a' Choire Ghaibh were de-frosting after an overnight freeze and with the heat of the sun the steam was rising off the hill.
Back to the bealach and down the track. Out of the wind the sun was warm and short sleeves were the order of the day - 1st time this year.
- Looking down to Loch Lochy
It had been a rubbish wildlife day, a few hundred tadpoles, 4 ducks and 1 crow but at least before coming out of the woods I heard my first cuckoo............cuckoo.....................cuckoo.
Back at Laggan it was time for a few pics.
Just a great great day, absolutely loved it - definitely different weather from Basscadet's day.