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Distance and ascent values in this report are according to Memory-MapOban to Craignure is a beautiful ferry crossing with great views of both the mainland hills and Mull. I took my car over on the 4:00 pm boat on Sunday 22nd, and drove to my B and B in Salen, where I had booked three nights.
Monday 23/03/2015
Beinn Fhada, Ben More
Distance: 15.2 km
Ascent: 1340 m
Time: 8.3 hKaren (kmai1961) was staying at the same B and B on the Monday and Tuesday nights, after a short trip to Iona. She picked me up after breakfast and drove us to Loch na Keal. We found the parking spot recommended by WH was already occupied - by a helicopter! There was some hydro construction going on, but Karen found a spot nearby to park. Before long, we were slogging up the ridge towards Beinn Fhada, with reasonable weather, although the odd shower came and went.
- Beinn Fhada
- View in retrospect on the approach to Beinn Fhada
Bein Fhada's summit was cloud free when we reached it.
- On Beinn Fhada - my first Graham!
Earlier, the higher peaks had been in cloud, but things looked promising as we moved on.
- A' Chioch and Ben More from the descent from Beinn Fhada
Then the wind picked up, clouds lowered again and the showers turned to hail and snow. The bypass paths seemed like the sensible option in these conditions. Things had become pleasant enough again when we reached A' Chioch...
- Karen on A' Chioch
...but Ben More itself hadn't cleared.
- Ben More from A' Chioch
As we headed up the ridge towards the Munro, hail began to fall once more and bypass paths again seemed the wiser move, but perhaps were not the best choice this time. We stayed in sight of the crest, but in poor visibility, and with ground features obscured by snow and hail, we seemed to end up on one of those bypass paths to nowhere. We had to scramble back towards the crest. Footholds were covered in soft snow and hail, and often sloped the wrong way, and what looked like rocky handholds often turned out to be loose stones. So there were one or two tricky moments, but eventually we made it to the summit. We were in the clag, but this island Munro had been conquered!
Then it was just a case of the direct descent to Dhiseig...
- Descending towards Loch na Keal
...followed by a walk along the road back to Karen's car, which was still in one piece despite being very near the helicopter as it regularly took heavy loads up to the new hydro works.
Tuesday 24/03/2015
Beinn Talaidh
Distance: 23.9 km
Ascent: 788 m
Time: 7.5hSalen is conveniently located for a walk along Glen Forsa, so we chose to walk along it to Beinn Talaidh all the way form the B and B. It was quite warm and sunny in the sheltered glen, but showers were never that far away.
- Glen Forsa residents
We reached the head of the glen and moved towards the substantial Graham.
- Beinn Talaidh
We reached the bothy at Tomsleibhe just as a shower started, and went inside for refreshments. Then we moved onto the steep ridge and headed up the mountain, things becoming much colder and less sheltered as we ascended.
- Dun da Ghaoithe range from the ascent
Suddenly, two eagles were soaring above us.
- White tailed or golden?
We reached the summit, with partial views.
- Summit view from Beinn Talaidh
After a short stop, we headed back down towards Glen Forsa.
- Descending towards Glen Forsa
On the final road walk back to Salen, there were some nice views across the Sound of Mull.
- Looking across the Sound of Mull to the mainland
Wednesday 25/03/2015
Dun da Ghaoithe
Distance: 15.2 km
Ascent: 902 m
Time: 5 h This was the best day of the week; bright, clear and dry. We were both due to travel back to Oban on the 5:00 pm ferry, so there was plenty of time for a half-day Corbett, located handily above Craignure. We climbed up past the masts.
- Ascending towards Dun da Ghaoithe
The views were superb and far-reaching, and as we ascended various other islands came into view.
- Jura from the ascent
- Arran from the ascent
To the north, the Rum and Skye Cuillin both appeared. We left the track behind and headed up the ridge to Mainnir nam Fiadh.
- Ben More, Beinn Talaidh and Beinn Fhada from Mainnir nam Fiadh
Then it was on towards the main summit of Dun da Ghaoithe.
- Dun da Ghaoithe from Mainnir nam Fiadh
Looking north, the Cuillin, Bla Bheinn and Skye's Red Hills could all be made out in the distance. Along the west mainland coast, there was a magnificent panorama of snow capped peaks from Ben Nevis to Ben Cruachan.
- Looking north from Dun da Ghaoithe, with Rum and Skye on the horizon
- Ben Cruachan from Dun da Ghaoithe
We spent some time on the ridge between the two summits, before heading back down via the masts again, with all those great views still there to enjoy.
- Ben Nevis from the descent
We were back down in Craignure with plenty of time to spare, before sailing back to mainland West Argyll. Mull is an island I'll never forget, and a place I'm really glad I visited.