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.

Sunny Dalnaspidal

Sunny Dalnaspidal


Postby rockhopper » Wed Apr 08, 2015 12:11 am

Route description: Beinn Mholach, from Dalnaspidal

Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn Mholach, Meall na Leitreach

Fionas included on this walk: Creag a'Mhadaidh

Date walked: 05/04/2015

Time taken: 11 hours

Distance: 30 km

Ascent: 1140m

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).

Parked in the parking area just before the level crossing at Dalnaspidal and set off just after 0500hrs.


LochGarry activelog 5apr2015.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



Head torch on for the first hour or so – it was rather foggy and couldn’t see much through the clouds of water droplets in the air. Still quite cold but an easy walk down the west side of Loch Garry on a good track. On reaching downstream of a waterfall, had to make a little diversion to find a way across the Allt Coire Easan. The track got quite a bit rougher and boggier from here on but it was starting to get light as dawn arrived.

Image

Another little detour westwards to cross the Allt Shallainn by the bridge.

Image

Then south east towards the bothy – came across a wee cairn marking the start of the track up Beinn Mholach.

Followed the track up the hillside – marshy in places but was soon out of the mist. Sun starting to rise up out of the mist as well.

Image

Faint fog bow.

Image

Views clearing looking back downhill.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Soft snow here and there made the going harder at times but not too bad. There were some large snow patches but no need for winter equipment. Hills further afield starting to appear by now.

Image

Image

Onwards and upwards.

Image

Image

Image

Some areas of deep lying snow which looked as though it could be unstable – just a case of avoiding these bits.

Image

Image

Hardly any wind at all – was getting very warm in the sun.

Image

Image

Image

Got to the top – substantial cairn and trig point.

Image

Image

This must be one of the best summits for views around – clear all round. Self portrait.

Image

Had a long stop here sitting in the sun and having some food. Realised later that should probably have brought some sun lotion.

Eventually had to get up and set off. Probably could have taken a more direct route down and round Gualann Sheileach but wasn’t sure about the snow conditions having seen some deep sections on the way up. Opted to go back down the ascent route.

Image

Nearly back at the main track could see two walkers heading back up towards Loch Garry – think they may have spent the night in Duinish bothy but didn’t get down in time to meet them.

Walked round to have a look at the bothy.

Image

Had a look inside – looked clean enough but there was a cloth on the floor which looked like mice or rats had been chewing it.

Back out of the bothy and followed the main track southwards to the east of Gualann Sheileach.

Image

Image

Frog

Image

Struck off eastwards at what looked like the most suitable point towards Creag a'Mhadaidh.

Image

Bit of boggy ground to cross but wasn’t too bad. Then uphill towards some crags – turned to the right to go round them then up to the summit. No snow problems here.

Another good summit for views – stopped to sit in the sun and have some more food.

Loch Errochty

Image

Loch Con

Image

Back to Beinn Mholach

Image

Cairn

Image

Headed off initially NE then more northerly towards Meall na Leitreach. Looked like there was some rather boggy ground to be crossed – turned out to be worse than originally thought. Encountered numerous peat hags – bad enough normally but as many were filled with water had no option but to go round them. Ended up going further east than planned but did manage to find a way across the allt.

Then started in a northerly direction up towards a rather large walled ruin.

Image

There were some old traps in timber logs on the walls but they weren’t baited.

Image

Stopped for a break in the sun then started in a NW direction to avoid a hill area to the west. Came across a rather new looking hill track which wasn’t on the map. Followed it for a wee while – easier way to gain height but it then started to go off in the wrong direction. Left the track and headed directly towards Meall na Leitreach.

Was too far to the east to see the Loch Meall na Leitreach but had a straightforward walk to the summit.

Image

Image

Now just a case of following the track back down to Dalnaspidal. Some very deep areas of snow to be avoided on the way down.

Image

View up the A9.

Image

Image

Image

Crossed the water using the pathway and met a couple who were on a daytrip walking their dog. Back at the car, got changed and drove back to Glasgow. Another walk which had taken a bit longer than planned – a mix of longer stops in the sun, not back to full fitness and being a bit tired – can’t complain though on days like this. Ended up with a rather red face and neck from the sun - maybe should’ve taken sun cream with me after all.
User avatar
rockhopper
 
Posts: 7446
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: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby weaselmaster » Wed Apr 08, 2015 8:14 am

Good to see you getting out and about again RH
A big route that one - I had originally planned to do this pair using that route but wimped out and did them singly
Bogs around Meall na Leitreach aren't much fun.
weaselmaster
Hill Bagger
 
Posts: 2429
Munros:277   Corbetts:216
Fionas:183   Donalds:73+30
Sub 2000:391   Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:15   Islands:28
Joined: Aug 22, 2012
Location: Greenock

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby BoyVertiginous » Wed Apr 08, 2015 8:42 am

Cracking pics of a fine day, rockhopper.
User avatar
BoyVertiginous
Wanderer
 
Posts: 1327
Munros:251   Corbetts:75
Fionas:26   Donalds:11
Sub 2000:49   Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:62   Islands:18
Joined: Jun 14, 2011
Location: california

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby basscadet » Wed Apr 08, 2015 8:51 am

Aye, your pics make it look amazing.. I especially like the frog :D
User avatar
basscadet
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2778
Munros:84   Corbetts:52
Fionas:18   Donalds:8
Sub 2000:34   Hewitts:13
Wainwrights:17   Islands:21
Joined: Dec 1, 2011
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby kev_russ » Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:50 am

Very nice indeed 8)
User avatar
kev_russ
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 395
Munros:198   Corbetts:77
Fionas:27   Donalds:33
Sub 2000:14   Hewitts:7
Wainwrights:9   
Joined: Mar 17, 2009
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby mountain thyme » Wed Apr 08, 2015 3:00 pm

Some nice pics RH. I climbed Mholach on my birthday last year and wondered if anyone would join it with Meall na Leitreach. Some size of carirn eh ?
User avatar
mountain thyme
Walker
 
Posts: 984
Munros:40   Corbetts:222
Fionas:12   Donalds:11
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Jul 22, 2010
Location: Glasgow

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby Graeme D » Wed Apr 08, 2015 7:20 pm

That brings back some good memories! 8) Thanks.
User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby simon-b » Wed Apr 08, 2015 9:56 pm

Great stuff, rockhopper. The Drumochter region looks good with lying snow and sunshine; I remember that well from last March.
User avatar
simon-b
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2347
Munros:282   Corbetts:30
Fionas:7   Donalds:12
Sub 2000:1   Hewitts:155
Wainwrights:214   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 2, 2012
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby Beaner001 » Thu Apr 09, 2015 10:44 am

Nice one RH will use this as reference as I had looked at this route with maybe a stay in the bothy, was it in good condition? The dogs would be with me so mice/rats should not bother me too much :lol: :lol:
User avatar
Beaner001
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 763
Munros:241   Corbetts:29
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:1   
Joined: Sep 17, 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby dooterbang » Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:23 pm

Looks like your enjoying the big routes again :wink:

Some going after walking the day before too. I did the Luss Grahams yesterday and really struggled, was a wake up call :)
User avatar
dooterbang
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1828
Munros:262   Corbetts:58
Fionas:18   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:10   Hewitts:18
Wainwrights:21   Islands:19
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
Location: Isle of Skye from Feb 2019 (Originally Glasgow)

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby Collaciotach » Sat Apr 11, 2015 8:43 pm

Some brilliant photos and a long route !

Was in Duinish many , many years ago January 83 or 84 minus 16 and thick with snow full moonlight night thanks for remindning me of the place ,clean forgot about it :o
User avatar
Collaciotach
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1896
Munros:282   Corbetts:219
Fionas:47   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:25   
Islands:28
Joined: Aug 8, 2011
Location: Gàidhealtachd an Iar

Re: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby Huff_n_Puff » Sun Apr 12, 2015 7:45 am

Stunning photos and a great read :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: Sunny Dalnaspidal

Postby rockhopper » Sun Apr 12, 2015 11:21 pm

cheers all :D

Beaner001 wrote:Nice one RH will use this as reference as I had looked at this route with maybe a stay in the bothy, was it in good condition? The dogs would be with me so mice/rats should not bother me too much :lol: :lol:
inside the bothy it was clean and tidy - went in through one room then into another to the right - think there may have been another room to the left but wasn't in it - cheers :)
User avatar
rockhopper
 
Posts: 7446
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:136   Donalds:89+20
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:20
Joined: May 31, 2009
Location: Glasgow

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: AlistairMunro, hamill67 and 99 guests