Bog trotting in the Sunshine Another 3 bagged

[jamesb63]

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Drove all the way to Lawers in thick fog going up the road to Lawers it was down to 10mph
Between the fog and suicidal and sheep with a death wish
But as soon as I reached the dam it was crystal clear

Sunrise looking down at the dam from parking place

So it was promptly on with the boots and gaiters (I read about the bogs )
and set off on the ascent to Meall Corranaich ,and the reports were spot on
bogs within 200yds of starting out but at least the sun was shining
and that was good enough for me

Sunshine just clipping the top of Meall nan Tarmachan

Some of the bogs were really bad mostly where the stags had been rolling
to pretty themselves up a bit
Soon I reached the old fenceline that runs up the hill towards the summit
here at last the ground conditions were a lot better so progress was easy now

Looking over to Ben More and Stob Binnein and a nice inversion over loch Tay

Jake waiting patiently if only I was as fit as him

Looking over to Ben Lawers

50 Mins after setting out we were on the summit of Meall Corranaich.
I was very pleasantly surprised that we got there so quick

summit shot

Meall nan Tarmachan looking great in the sun

An Stuc

After stopping for a few customary photos it was off along to Munro Number 2
Meall a'choire Leith .The walk to this one was a joy no bogs to contend with
and a good path all the way (more like it )

Looks like the residents wont be too happy having to move off for near top of Meall a'choire Leith

Soon we were on the summit of Meall a'choire Leith and in very good time

Summit of number 2 Meall a'choire Leith

Looking back to Meall Corranaich

Now for the part I was not looking forward to the walk out to the starting point
I had read a lot abot it being a proper bogfest but no way to avoid so it was
on the descent and in to bog land
Even before we got to the bottom it was getting pretty bad
and the it was onto the path at the base and the bog hop out

Look back at Meall a'choire Leith

Progress was in fact fairly quick and to be honest the walk out was no worse
that the start of the route so after 2hrs 52mins I was back at the car
Here I took on my first fluids and a few pieces of fruit
So I could have left my Rucksack at the car
After feeding Jake I them set of for the ascent up to Meall nan Tarmachan
the first 100m was boggy but by now I was used to it
On reaching the fence line I followed this all the way up , I did cross it at
the first style you come to this proved a wise decision as on the decent
I came down the other side of it and it was a bit boggy in places

Number 3 in sight Meall nan Tarmachan

Looking down upon the dam wall

Reach the top of the initial ascent I crossed back over the fence at a style
and started out across the level ground towards the base of the final ascent
you can see the rough path for this spot so it gives you a target to head for
The ascent from this point is the steepest part I had all day and I was sweating a bit
but I had brought some fluids with me and this went down a treat
Reaching the top ot this part the views were Fantastic all around all the way to Nevis
and over to Ben Lui it was a joy to be out

Tarmachan Ridge looking great in the sun

Now it was just a short hop and the summit of Meall nan Tarmachan
number 3 and the final munro I had to do in the Lawers area

Summit of Meall nan Tarmachan with Ben Lawers in the background

Now for the descent and it was simply a case of backtracking the ascent route
only this time as I said I never crossed back over the fence and I was a bit wet
and boggy once you start to drop on the final ascent to the parking area
so I was soon back to the car and the total time for the 3 was 5hrs 5mins very pleased
with how the day went
Setting of for home I was back into the fog just below the dam and it was like that the
whole way back to home in Balloch ,where it had been like that all day which made
me even more pleased I took to the hills instead of doing some work

[Petr Dakota]

Hi James, glad you had good weather and thze views , nice day for a walk
I still have to do those three, keeping for some short day as it's not far away from home...
Nice photos

P.S. Did I see you in Alexandria on sunday 1st of November around 14:30 ? Someone like you just arrived ( by silver or grey Corsa I think ) at the car park behind shoping centre ( Farmfoods, Coop...) the same time I was leaving the car park with a lorry... It was beautiful day especially for a walk, shame I was working ( like most of my weekends )

[jamesb63]

Hi James, glad you had good weather and thze views , nice day for a walk
I still have to do those three, keeping for some short day as it's not far away from home...
Nice photos

P.S. Did I see you in Alexandria on sunday 1st of November around 14:30 ? Someone like you just arrived ( by silver or grey Corsa I think ) at the car park behind shoping centre ( Farmfoods, Coop...) the same time I was leaving the car park with a lorry... It was beautiful day especially for a walk, shame I was working ( like most of my weekends )

Petr they are a nice quick 3 to do ,if you prefer off the main route Tarmachan is a nice climb from
the route I took on the day
ps ,it wasn't me at the shops on that day I was up in Glen Esk

[katyhills]

It's worth doing the whole ridge if you're doing Tarmachan. It's really the best bit of it

[Silverhill]

Love the first picture of Lochan na Lairige.
I remember that bog on the walk out very well…. Not great when you’re tired. But you had plenty of energy left. Brilliant that you nipped over to Meall nan Tarmachan!

[jamesb63]

It's worth doing the whole ridge if you're doing Tarmachan. It's really the best bit of it

I dare say I would be but I had only intitialy set out to do Meall a'choire Leith
and Meall Corraniach ,but as it only had taken 2 hrs 50 to do these and the weather
being as good as it was ,I decided to add Meall Tarmachan from the opposite side
and this was a nice enjoyable route,giving great views from along the ridge
running over the top of Lochan na Lairige

[litljortindan]

Great looking day on a good ridge. Nice of your dog to wait for you!

[jamesb63]

Love the first picture of Lochan na Lairige.
I remember that bog on the walk out very well…. Not great when you’re tired. But you had plenty of energy left. Brilliant that you nipped over to Meall nan Tarmachan!

Thankyou ,where you see the mist at the top of the dam wall on Lochan na Lairige
That is where I got my first clear view on the whole drive there
It was like peasoup on the road up over past Lawers

[dogplodder]

Love the shots of Jake at his summits and specially the inversion one.

[jamesb63]

Love the shots of Jake at his summits and specially the inversion one.

Jake does love his mountain walks But his brother is another thing
he has only been with us once and he was literally dragged to go
I think he is afraid he will miss his dinner