Loch Arkaig Corbetts, Stags, Bogfest, landslips and views

[The Rodmiester]

These hills meant a 0530 hr start from Carnoustie as daylight hours were restricted and the unknown time it was going to take driving along the full length (14miles) of the carsick road down Loch Arkaig to the large car park. By 0930hrs we were all booted up ready to climb the two Corbetts. The journey up had been interesting as low cloud mist had been with me until Drumochter when suddenly it had cleared and my heart was lifted and was really looking forward to the day on the hill, I was meeting up with Mountain Thyme so that in itself meant there was to be lots of leg pulling and fun was to be had and also with Dean who I had met for the first time at the WH Skye meet and well anybody who was there will tell you what a washout that was and also Gill and Tomsie who again I had not walked with before.

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

Just out of the car we have a welcoming party and they just stand there watching as we walk by

An old ruin trackside

Looking through the window at Sgurr Thuilm 963m

At the start of the track after passing by a locked gate, we take the right fork you can see ahead

Soon after there is a signpost directing you up a well used track on the West side of the burn, this heads towards Kinbreack bothy

Looking back from higher up the track with Streap 909m (left) and Sgurr Thuilm 963m (right)

All pretty wet and boggy in places underfoot but the track climbs gradually without any descent

Dean and Tomsie stopping for a chat

A group discussion probably talking about the forth coming Torridon weekend

Yep it was pretty muddy in places where you were better off the track, a day for gaiters, in the background the twin topped Gulvain.

After we had crossed the burn by a bridge we followed a few different ATV tracks in fact they were all over the place,and all about the same boggy condition, in fact you were frightened to leave the track as you might just disappear. Looking at the second Corbett which is far steeper than the first

This long SW shoulder of Sgurr Mhurlagain is taking some time to climb we check the GPS's and it's only at 650m

And finally the first sighting of the summit cairn, now and only now has the hillside become much drier underfoot

Dean and Mountain Thyme approaching the summit cairn, the wind has now got up and there are signs that low mist is blowing in. It's taken just over 2hrs 30mins to the summit

The mist clears as fast as it came and Gill and Tomsie arrive at the summit. Did not hang about at the cairn but headed NW to find some shelter for a bite to eat out of the cold wind

After traversing down to the high point between the two hills again another bogfest awaits us and a few slips and slides and nearly a leg breaking moment when the leg went down a hole we were soon winding our way up the steep sided slope of which although much steeper is so much drier than the previous hill

Another natter break before another steep section

Zoom in to the landslip and what looks like another about to happen on the NE side

Group photo of the summit. (Summit to summit 2hrs) Not including time for a lunch break

Dean taking a photo of Sgurr Mor

Looking down Loch Arkaig from descending the South ridge

Finding our way down towards the track we ascended from

Nearly there, back at the track to the Glendessarry Lodge. Another fabulous day on the hill with great company, what more could you want.

[GillC]

Fab day,,thoroughly enjoyed it,,well done on a great report.

[Tomsie]

Great day Rod, good report on a boggy day.
Now who is this Thomsie?

[The Rodmiester]

Great day Rod, good report on a boggy day.
Now who is this Thomsie?

Ooooops Sorry John, I better edit it.

[Petr Dakota]

Hi Rod, nice report and photos. I like especially the 1st one with the watching Deer...clear pic

[The Rodmiester]

Hi Rod, nice report and photos. I like especially the 1st one with the watching Deer...clear pic

Hi Petr, that was the only wildlife we saw all day. They certainly weren't scared of us, just stood their ground and watched us even when being approached .

[Petr Dakota]

Hi Rod, nice report and photos. I like especially the 1st one with the watching Deer...clear pic

Hi Petr, that was the only wildlife we saw all day. They certainly weren't scared of us, just stood their ground and watched us even when being approached .

The loyal guardian of hills

[Silverhill]

And suddenly the autumn colours arrived, very nice.
It seems you and mountainthyme were not racing to get to the summit first, on this occasion!

[Gordie12]

Sounds like it was pretty wet but I do like the look of these two Rod - might try and do them before the whit stuff arrives.

[Scotjamie]

It seems you and mountainthyme were not racing to get to the summit first, on this occasion!

No race to the top
No noddy bike
No missing trig
But an excellent read all the same with great pics - well bog-trotted everyone
Gill and Tomsie trying to buy some good weather for Torridon?

[Graeme D]

Great stuff Rod and a nice wee walking party you put together there! Seen a few good pics of stags posing for the camera recently but this one is the pick of the bunch. However, not so keen on that pic of the landslip about to go - would be squeaky bum time if you were standing too close to that!

[The Rodmiester]

And suddenly the autumn colours arrived, very nice.
It seems you and mountainthyme were not racing to get to the summit first, on this occasion!

Aye the Greens have given away to the browns, wonderful

There might have been a little bit of competition but there were two summits so we settled for one each

[The Rodmiester]

Sounds like it was pretty wet but I do like the look of these two Rod - might try and do them before the whit stuff arrives.

I think these were tougher than we thought they would be but undoubtedly because of the wet underfoot conditions. By the way Gordie allow yourself about an hour for the Loch Arkaig road, I grossly underestimated the time Not to be done in icy conditions either.

[The Rodmiester]

It seems you and mountainthyme were not racing to get to the summit first, on this occasion!

No race to the top
No noddy bike
No missing trig
But an excellent read all the same with great pics - well bog-trotted everyone
Gill and Tomsie trying to buy some good weather for Torridon?

One summit each Alan Definately no Noddy and no missing trigs

Fingers crossed for Torridon and remind me Iv'e to give you a dram

[The Rodmiester]

Great stuff Rod and a nice wee walking party you put together there! Seen a few good pics of stags posing for the camera recently but this one is the pick of the bunch. However, not so keen on that pic of the landslip about to go - would be squeaky bum time if you were standing too close to that!

A great day out a whole lot better than when I passed through Perth at the back of six am. Well pleased we saw the stags and your right stay well clear of the East side landslip, guess it's anytime soon