walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Easter Sunday Teanga tango


Postby BlackPanther » Tue May 06, 2014 2:50 pm

Route description: Loch Lochy Munros from Kilfinnan

Munros included on this walk: Meall na Teanga, Sròn a' Choire Ghairbh

Date walked: 20/04/2014

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 19 km

Ascent: 1250m

3 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Apologies for being so late with posting my last Easter TR, but hopefully I'll be able to catch up with all my backlog soon. Last Satuday we added another Corbett to our list, bu before I get to that, there's still plenty to tell about hill-idays trips :D

Easter Sunday was the last of the "big trio" of days with fantastic climbing weather, so we didn't waste time and travelled to Kilfinnan, to tackle the Loch Lochy Munros. They have been on our radar for a while, yet we never got around to doing them. After two days of long 30km routes, this one seemed shorter and easier, but as it turned out, these two gems are pretty steep so the cost us just as much sweat and effort!

We used the northern approach because the starting point is closer to Inverness, but also because we heard about access problems from Gleann Cia-aig. We visited this glen a few days later (on the way back from another climb in this area) and it has been bulldozed right through, lots of fallen trees blocking the path... definitely the northern approach is MUCH BETTER, even if one has to wait longer to see the views.

tango.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


We started from Kilfinnan, where there is ample space for a few cars on the grassy roadside. The day was beautiful, so -so-blue sky again, and my heart was jumping up and down for another superb climb!
Image
The first stage of the walk, through Kilfinnan Wood, was very pleasant, on a good track. We left the Great Glen Way behind and continued on the upper forest track, with the pointy peak of Meall Dubh visible on then horizon:
Image
The path into Cam Bhealach is marked with a wooden post, so hard to miss this one :D The path itself goes through the deep forest at first - the shade was very pleasant, as it was already getting scorchio-hot. What an April!
Image
We started wrapped in windproofs, but soon had to stop to strip to t-shirts (mild mountain porn?) and as the climb up to the bealach is quite steep al the way, we were quickly boiling!
Image
The path is obvious all the way, worn off by thousands of feet... A few short wet sections (where it meets small streams) but generally dry underfoot. Views at the moment were restricted to a narrow "window" between the steep sides of the glen, down to Loch Lochy and the forest below...
Image
...and the slopes themselves creating a V shape above us:
Image
Luckily, there are enough little streams pouring crystal water down into the glen, even if you run out of water. We counted a few people on the path above us and also more groups and single walkers following behind... It was going to be a busy day on the hills! But with perfect weather on a bank holiday, how could I expect anything else? I'm actually very happy to see loads of hillwalkers enjoying the great outdoors - we are obviously not as lazy as all statistics say! :lol:
Image
Looking down Cam Bhealach from just below the col. At that moment I was only capable of spitting out one question: who turned the oven on???
Image
We arrived on the col and took a short break to rehydrate and reapply sunscreen (the bl**dy UV was killing me!) and then decided to tackle the higher Munro first. it doesn't really make much difference as one has to go up-and-down both M's anyway, but as most of the crowd above us went for Meall na Teanga, we wanted to flow against the current :lol: :lol: and tackle Sron a'Choire Ghairbh first.
The steep wall of Meall Dubh looked intimidating...
Image
...so we preferred to walk up the easy path up the other side. It was still steep though...
Image
...but the advantage of steep slopes is that you gain height quickly and you can enjoy great views, like this, back to Meall na Teanga:
Image
The western hills entered the stage, too:
Image
The zig-zagging path makes the climb much easier and though it becomes sketchy higher up, the slopes are grassy, easy to climb. We sweated up, stopped plenty to drink more water, and eventually arrived on the ridge, between the summit and the lower top (908m), just to see Coire Garbh still holding on to a thick layer of snow:
Image
Anyone up for a fried panther? :lol: :lol: :lol:
Image
Views were next to none now, and I couldn't wait to see the full summit panorama! Kevin turned around and spotted no else than Mister Ben on the southern horizon!
Image
To the north, no spectacular peaks, but the Loch Ness pano was breathtaking enough...
Image
Ben Tee, good for a winter tea on the summit!
Image
Looking south-east along the ridge and into Coire Garbh and so many white-topped mountains beyond...
Image
Zooms to the weird snow shapes:
Image

Image
The Ben and MnT:
Image
A wider perspective:
Image
Pictures, videos, whatever... I don't climb hills to practice photography, I'm a hillwalker with camera rather than a photographer who likes climbing hills, but on a day like this it would be a sin not to record the views!!!
Image
Summit cairn at last! The wind picked up a bit and it felt much colder here but just as well... I was fed up with the oven down in the glen...
Image
A happy husband is every married woman's dream... I know the best way to keep mine grinning!
Image
Sron a'Choire Ghairbh summit panorama:
Image
We lazed about for almost half an hour, we had plenty of time and on such a great day who would hurry?
The ridge continues in NW direction with another corrie, called Coire Glass, and another top, Meall a'Choire Ghlais (901m). Beyond lies the western panorama, from Knoydart to Affric Hills:
Image
The Loch Lochy Corbetts or should I rather say Arkaig Corbetts? Up until that day I was hardly aware of their existence. Now I had a close look at them.. Hmmm... Another target to climb soon?
Note the Knoydard mountains in the distance - the high conical shape must be Sgurr na Ciche:
Image
Loch Quoich M's and South Glen Shiel Ridge. I have only done half of the latter, so I should return to finish the business!
Image
A "snow window", I guess by now it would have melted. but I grabbed the opportunity to have a photo with this strange "snow sculpture":
Image
Zoomed "window":
Image
NE towards the Monadhliath and Cairngorms:
Image
We couldn't stay on the summit forever as there was one more Munro to bag, so we gathered up and moved on. Descending the zigzaggy path back to the bealach was the easiest part of this stage, then came the steep, punishing climb to Meall na Teanga...
Looking back at the zig-zags:
Image
The col itself is a bit boggy but on the slopes of Meall Dubh we picked an obvious path, leading across the steep side to the final climb to the summit of MnT. We never lost the views:
Image
We started bumping into the other groups (all those who went for Teanga first and were now crossing the col to add the second Munro to the list). One girl asked me with a big smile - any chance you are Black Panther?... :lol: :lol: I am really getting famous :oops: :oops: :oops:
It was nice to have met you, Heather :D :D :D
We chatted for a moment, I was a bit concerned about a snow patch higher up. We had crampons in our rucksacks but it seemed silly to put them on just to take 20-30 steps... Luckily, there was a good set of footprints made in the snow, they should help with the crossing.
We kept on climbing, steeper again and quite wet (melting snow I suppose), but I was desperate not to give up!
Image
We crossed the snow patch carefully, it wasn't a problem at all. Kevin even stopped half way to take pictures:
Image
Steep and slippery but manageable:
Image
Past the snow obstacle, the rest of the climb was plain sailing, with views to die for:
Image
Finally, a short walk along the ridge to the summit cairn saw us bagging another Munro!
Image
Munro No. 126 and the sixth M' in 3 days. Some of you may shrug and say - baaaah I did more than that - but for me it was an achievement! If I was any good at dancing, I would do a Teanga-tango! Sadly, all I can do is panther-hopping-meowing dance :lol:
Image
Looking NE with Loch Lochy below our feet. Still some snow on this side:
Image
More Lochy views:
Image
The next top, Meall Coire Lochain, with The Ben to the very left and Loch Linnhe on the horizon:
Image
Some more summit views - enjoy :D
Image
The inaccessible world of Knoydart, giving me a headache. Still loads of summits to climb...
Image
The Ben - zoomed:
Image
The whole Nevis Range:
Image
Zoomed Loch Linnhe:
Image
Meall na h-Eilde (one of the Lochy Corbetts as I call them) with the mind-boggling panorama behind. Moving from left to right:, Gairich, Sgurr nan Eugallt, Beinn Sgritheall, Sgurr a'Mhaoraich, Gleouraich & Spidean Mialach, South Glen Shiel ridge. Some long list of hills visible from Meall na Teanga on a good day!
Image
We studied the Lochy Corbetts while sitting at the cairn eating lunch, both on the map and the "live" view. We both warmed up to bagging them (from above they looked easy) and decided to put them high on our to-do list. They didn't stay there for long, as a week later the Panther was meowing like a mad cat on the summit of Meall na h-Eilde... But it will be a while before I get to that story...
Back to Lochy Munros... Whatta day. No wonder I was reluctant to leave...
Image
Zoom to Sgurr na Ciche:
Image
We were alone for about 10 minutes, then another stream of walkers began to arrive, so we packed up and started the return walk. The views were still with us:
Image
Crossing the snowpatch on the way down proved a bit more tricky than on the way up, but a walking pole was a great help to keep balance:
Image
Looking back at Meall na Teanga:
Image
Descending back to the bealach:
Image
No problem on the way back except from the heat (but I was already getting used to it...) and our GPS going on strike. It refused to see the satellites so Kevin asked: maybe Russian spy sats are blocking the signal? :lol: :lol:
The tranquillity of Loch Lochy:
Image
What a pair of Munros this was! A superb final to a 3-day marathon, but we hoped for more next week... And we got what we wanted if not more than that!... I felt like meowing again :D

My next story will take us to the Misty Isle, where some very steep, but magnificently beautiful lower hills gave us a day to remember.
User avatar
BlackPanther
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 3839
Munros:268   Corbetts:182
Fionas:136   
Sub 2000:75   
Joined: Nov 2, 2010
Location: Beauly, Inverness-shire

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby AnnieMacD » Tue May 06, 2014 4:55 pm

Great report and photos BP. It's so great when the good weather coincides with holiday weekends.
User avatar
AnnieMacD
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 789
Munros:25   Corbetts:15
Fionas:13   
Sub 2000:8   
Joined: Jun 25, 2013
Location: Applecross

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby pigeon » Tue May 06, 2014 4:59 pm

Great stuff as usual BP,some great pictures,number 21 is a cracker!
User avatar
pigeon
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1489
Munros:282   Corbetts:128
Fionas:41   Donalds:40+7
Sub 2000:23   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:1   Islands:2
Joined: Apr 29, 2010
Location: Linlithgow
Walk wish-list

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby scottishkennyg » Tue May 06, 2014 8:12 pm

Nice one BP, you captured some great views from the tops across Lochaber.
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby railton22 » Tue May 06, 2014 8:16 pm

Great report and fantastic pictures. Looks like a grand day. :D
User avatar
railton22
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 266
Munros:186   Corbetts:12
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:13
Wainwrights:10   
Joined: Aug 10, 2009

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby Gordie12 » Tue May 06, 2014 8:27 pm

Nice one BP - brilliant day.

A bit different from me peeps wise - I never saw anyone all day, had both hills to myself.
User avatar
Gordie12
Wanderer
 
Posts: 2152
Munros:114   Corbetts:65
Fionas:30   Donalds:38+0
Sub 2000:35   Hewitts:37
Wainwrights:32   
Joined: Sep 6, 2012
Location: Nr Forfar

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby BlackPanther » Wed May 07, 2014 11:49 am

Thanks all :D We were blessed with excellent weather for Easter, and having again taken 400pics or so, I spent some time choosing the best ones for the report... It's all Kevin's fault, he snaps too many :roll:
User avatar
BlackPanther
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 3839
Munros:268   Corbetts:182
Fionas:136   
Sub 2000:75   
Joined: Nov 2, 2010
Location: Beauly, Inverness-shire

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby dogplodder » Wed May 07, 2014 12:23 pm

Great photos BP, as always! :D When we did Teanga (also a May weekend) we crossed the snow higher up - a steeper but shorter crossing. On the way down we picked our way round the snow rather than risk the descent without crampons. Seeing your pics brought it all back! :wink:
User avatar
dogplodder
 
Posts: 4237
Munros:242   Corbetts:74
Fionas:25   
Sub 2000:32   Hewitts:4
Wainwrights:9   Islands:24
Joined: Jul 16, 2011

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby heatheronthehills » Wed May 07, 2014 3:33 pm

Stunning photos as usual BP. Your report and pics really capture the essence of the day..it was stunning. Lovely to meet you on the hill too, must get your autograph next time :wink:
User avatar
heatheronthehills
Walker
 
Posts: 166
Munros:208   Corbetts:88
Fionas:68   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:80   Hewitts:5
Wainwrights:2   
Joined: Mar 5, 2012

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby Huff_n_Puff » Wed May 07, 2014 3:47 pm

More cracking pics BP, these are great hills for the views - although we didn't have quite the weather you had! :clap:
User avatar
Huff_n_Puff
Walker
 
Posts: 1083
Munros:278   Corbetts:20
Fionas:10   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:19   Hewitts:5
Wainwrights:1   Islands:19
Joined: Apr 13, 2012

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby rockhopper » Thu May 08, 2014 8:13 pm

Great set of photos :thumbup: I did like this walk especially for the views it affords - cheers :)
User avatar
rockhopper
 
Posts: 7445
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:136   Donalds:89+20
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:20
Joined: May 31, 2009
Location: Glasgow

Re: Easter Sunday Teanga tango

Postby Fife Flyer » Thu May 08, 2014 8:46 pm

Another cracker BP, with your usual fantastic photo's :clap:
You were so fortunate with the weather again, it really does make a huge difference if you can see where you are going, where you have been & of course other hills :wink:
User avatar
Fife Flyer
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2642
Munros:272   Corbetts:58
Fionas:39   Donalds:89+33
Sub 2000:130   Hewitts:2
Islands:5
Joined: May 15, 2013
Location: Guess?

3 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: JonathanHurrell, rmse047071 and 63 guests