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Seems I just can't get away from Glen Lochay at the moment
After the fabulous day I had on
Sgiath Chuil and Meal Glas I had to come back and check out these two and get a view of Loch Lyon and beyond
I read Simon's report on
North Alder and his contacting the estate for deer stalking information when I got up and decided I'd better do the same just in case; not wanting to leak crimson onto the hillside if I got caught in the crossfire
To my astonishment
they were incredibly helpful and considerate
They actually gave me the impression of wanting to fit in with my plans 'asking me to give them as much notice as possible' rather than expecting me to fit in with theirs. Turns out they were in the area yesterday and wouldn't be there today
Great
the weather forecast is good, I put the bike in the car and set off.
I'd noticed the landrover track along the hillside from Meal Glas and had checked out various reports including
Mountain Love and Spiderwebb's and my plan was to cycle into the damn by the bridge at the start of Creag Mhor and do pretty much the same circuit.
Not sure if these are young deer or a couple of does that were in an enclosure on the way in
Turned up the tarmac road beside the large hydro pipe and the view of Ben Challum at the head of the Glen
Doesn't take long to get to the start of the landrover track and the bridge over the overflow
A nice view of Beinn Cheathaich, Meal Glas and the ridge up to Sgiath Chuil
Got to a bridge over this gorge and thought this is it and wired the bike to the railings of the damn, almost every stream along the track is damned
Seems this was a bit premature, my route and the start to Creag Mhor was the next damn along, I considered going back, but it was only a kilometre and sensed it would be fine.
Started up the track next to the damn and then a faint path which goes through a tree plantation
I eyed up where I might possibly be coming off on the return
It was overcast, but very hot and humid, it felt like there could be thunder and lightening at any moment. I followed the line of a new deer fence
until a choice of steep or gentle climb up to the ridge, the gentler ascent being furthest away. I chose the steep which was a good choice as it meant no backtracking at the top
View of Beinn Cheathaich Meal Glas corie
Up almost onto the ridge and a first view of Creag Mhor
Stob an Fhir-Bhogha on the other side
Just got here and was having a drink when the unmistakable sound of a Ravens caw
Kinda sounds like an old car horn with the rubber bulb and trumpet, caw caw caw, best of the photos, this one definitely cawing
Got to the ridge and a path, always pleasant to walk on a path
Views down Glen Lochay were stunning
There are a few false summits, but the path up is quite good fun
the views more than compensate
Loch Lyon and a good view of whats ahead up to Stob an Fhir-Bhogha
Last of the ascent path
and finally the summit
Is this Beinn Dorain
I didn't stay long and wasn't sure I would make Beinn Heasgarnich as well this time round, but could make a decision down in the bealach.
Stuc an Lochain the peak on the right I think
Doesn't take long to get down and the view of the crags on the other side of Creag Mhor look like ideal Raven roosting
I felt fine and started up to Stob an Fhir-Bhogha initially just finding my own way, but picked up a path and from then it was pretty easy going
An interesting slice of pink quartz
Made it up top quite quickly and now it's more or less on the same level to the summit of Beinn Heasgarnich I'll definitely be getting both Munros
Reached the summit of Stob an Fhir-Bhogha
It's an stroll to Beinn Heasgarnich from here on easy ground
and the cairn
View into Beinn a'Chreachain
and the extending ridge with lochans which I think forms part of the WH route
I thought about having something to eat and hopefully getting a close up of the Ravens, but felt a bit chilly now and put on jacket, hat and gloves and started to make my way down.
Going with the flow I came off a bit early past this lochan
It was interesting naked drumlin landscape and if I'd continued down it would have been into Corie Chall, I was in Corie Ban Mor at this stage
I checked the sat nav, I seemed to be a bit confused as to where the bike was
but eventually thought I'd sorted it out and headed over the ridge at the side of the Corie towards the crags of Creag Na H'Achlarich.
I spotted four creatures watching me, but by the time I got the camera out three had departed, not surprising in deer stalking months I suspect
Time was getting on now and I was upping my pace to get back.
Just over the crest of the ridge and a herd of deer, wish I'd been stalking instead of stomping, I'd have got some great photos
I should have continued my descent along the ridge
but seemed to think I should be heading South East and that the bike was over Creag Nam Bodach and down
So I started making my way straight down towards the peat hags, nice sky, but I was by now concentrating on getting back down
It was steep and I doubled back at one point and was starting to pay attention, cue some nervous laughter
Got down relieved, looking back
Across the peat hags and had another look at the sat nav now that I am in theory closer, I was and sorted it out with a happy grin
Straight down the gully by the Allt Bad Odhar
Wasn't long before I picked up some of the landrover tracks from the stalkers I guess
and followed them more or less to the bottom and the damn, though did detour slightly to take a look into the Allt.
Phew, back at the bike and track, saved
Just as I got down to the concrete by the bike something flew straight over my head; a wee bird
My own personal flypast
It came back for a second look, no mistaking a bat
Started getting organised for the ride back, and went to get out the head torch and glasses ( midge deflectors ) and the head torch must have been on for a while, not sure how long, or how long it will last. I did have a couple of spare batteries, fingers crossed
It lasted, though not as bright and fast a return as anticipated.
A last look back, Ben Challum silhouetted in the last of the light
Two excellent Munros with fabulous views