Beinn a' Chaisteil, Noddy Bike saves two hours, WH meet.

[The Rodmiester]

The Friday of the August WH Meet was the day for bringing out the Noddy Bike to capture an out of the way Corbett Beinn a'Chaisteil down Strath Vaich, with not much ascent to deal with and about two miles of tarmac to pedal it seemed a perfect choice of transport. Five set off from Blackbridge where there is an area at the end of the Private road up Strath Vaich to park cars, two on bikes and three Purists who walked but in the end wished they'd biked

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Alan Jim and Charlie, you can tell they are Purists can't you, setting off up the road

Roddy on Noddy soon to catch up for a wee chat and a photo shoot

Soon the Weir came into view up to this point the walking cycling had been on a surfaced road with very little way of incline which made for fast moving. In the distance Strathvaich Lodge can be seen on the left on the other side of the river which is the outflow of Loch Vaich

No on an unmade road but ideal for mountain bikes or hybrids, maybe not so much Noddy bikes, Theresa well in front at this stage enjoying one of the downhill sections

Zoom of Strathvaich Lodge

Loch Vaich with still a long way to go to Lubachlaggan where we were to drop the bikes off to start the climb up the SW shoulder of Beinn a' Chaisteil

Meeting up with Dave who had just walked and cycled through the glen picking off three Corbetts

Getting near to the end of the bike section

An off road bike and rider away in the distance

After parking up the bikes we crossed over the burn to the North side and climbed up adjacent to the fence line

Fenceline and SW shoulder where we climbed and found a feint path with zig zags going up the crown

On the horizon when climbing we found this wee cairn at the top of the path

Further up was a large cairn, at this point we headed NW towards the summit cairn and trig point. At first quite wet but became drier as we neared the cairn

Heading over to the left top in photo over the wettest section underfoot

Summit Cairn AND Trig Point (Just for Alan and Theresa if your reading this)

Zoom of Seana Bhraigh I think from the summit cairn

Happyness is climbing hills and getting summit views, or maybe it's because we touched the Trig point together, both winners!

Summit views looking North West

A wee shower over Loch Vaich

A cairn built on the island in the middle of Loch Vaich, does anybody know why it was built?

Arriving back to see that Alan, Jim and Charlies car still in the parking area, funny that. Return bike time 50mins

[BlackPanther]

Yeah, one for bike & hike! I like the name - castle hill, I wonder why, there was never any castle nearby and the mountain is not really craggy?

Funny, we walked this route, but only because we wanted to do the whole ridge (we climbed up Meall Ghrianain first, then traversed to the main summit). I don't really understand this whole fuss with "purists"... Cycling is sometimes more tiring than walking!

[The Rodmiester]

Yeah, one for bike & hike! I like the name - castle hill, I wonder why, there was never any castle nearby and the mountain is not really craggy?

Funny, we walked this route, but only because we wanted to do the whole ridge (we climbed up Meall Ghrianain first, then traversed to the main summit). I don't really understand this whole fuss with "purists"... Cycling is sometimes more tiring than walking!

Hi BP, I read your report before doing this one, but did not fancy any more walking in deep wet undulating grass, as you are well aware after your Glen Roy Corbetts, everything low flown is saturated

[mountain thyme]

I like how you said the surfaced road made for some fast moving !! For who ooohhh aaaaaaaaa ooooo

At least you found a wee trig

[trekker53]

Good report Rod. Your Noddy bike certainly saved you some time but there's nothing wrong with Shank'es pony.
It was a long walk but hey we had time. Good hike with great views, and had good company.
Back in plenty of time for refreshments.
See you in Torridon.

[The Rodmiester]

Good report Rod. Your Noddy bike certainly saved you some time but there's nothing wrong with Shank'es pony.
It was a long walk but hey we had time. Good hike with great views, and had good company.
Back in plenty of time for refreshments.
See you in Torridon.

Aye all booked up for the next one forgot to ask what was the underfoot conditions like for you guys? On the summit ridge.

[beech]

No idea about the cairn on the island but the track looks great for cycling on. Shall we say, a good match for the bike?

[Graeme D]

Good stuff Rod and Noddy (even though you are very impure!), but why has Theresa got massive antennae coming out of her head????

[Petr Dakota]

Hi Rod, enjoyed your report
...I guess you enjoyed the ride - walk

[The Rodmiester]

Good stuff Rod and Noddy (even though you are very impure!), but why has Theresa got massive antennae coming out of her head????

Graeme impure and immature Great days!

[The Rodmiester]

Hi Rod, enjoyed your report
...I guess you enjoyed the ride - walk

Enjoyed the ride/walk and the company, a good laugh, checkout Mountain thymes report

[pollyh33]

Cracking report Rod.

The warmth from yourself and Theresa really shines through.

[The Rodmiester]

Cracking report Rod.

The warmth from yourself and Theresa really shines through.

Thanks Polly, another great day on the hill, with plenty of laughs along the way

[Beaner001]

Nice one Noddy, pity I couldn't join use that weekend, just too far to justify
Get something sorted soon

[Scotjamie]

Aye all booked up for the next one forgot to ask what was the underfoot conditions like for you guys? On the summit ridge.

Charlie, Jim and I were purists and walked all the way ...cos we didn't have bikes and couldn't reach yours or Theresa's quickly enough to nick them!
Conditions were fine underfoot Rod. Great wee walk following BP's route, though Jim's shortcut to Ghrianhan was a bit rough,,summit ridge with Charlie (trekker 53)

And all you achieved was to be in the pub two hours earlier than us........ (sic)
See you in Torridon I hope