Beinn Mholach From Dalnaspidal

[Gordie12]

The forecast was for rain to come in from the west later in the day so I was walking for 7.30am hoping I could get finished in the dry.

Sow of Atholl from the start

Sow of Atholl again

The walk along the shore of Loch Garry is straight forward and relatively flat so it only took me an hour to reach the far end.

Loch Garry looking a bit short of water

At the far end of the loch the good track ends. I crossed the Allt Coire Easan and headed on to the damp ATV track.

Far end of Loch Garry

Beside Allt Coire Easan

Initially I tried to use the grassy hummocks to my right to try and keep my feet dry but this got a bit frustrating so I just dropped down to the feint track heading towards the Allt Shallain. I probably (definitely) contoured too far round Meall Doire so headed over some damp heathery ground wondering what on earth I could hear. It seemed like a fairly remote location but I could hear a couple of engines then I topped a hummock and I had my answer.

Allt Shallain

I headed down to the Allt Shallain then headed up the bank to find the bridge crossing which is currently about 100 yards in to the works.

Once over the bridge it was a short walk down to Duinish bothy (which can't be seen until you are along side it) where there is meant to be a cairn marking the start of the route to the Corbett but I couldn't see it and in any case the rocky outcrop I need to aim for is very obvious on the hill.

Rocky outcrop on Creag nan Gabhar

I think I must have started at the correct place as there was a feint ATV track but I lost it pretty quickly but it didn't really matter. The lower slopes were damp but never boggy so it was just a bit of a slow plod through the damp grass/heather.

Looking over to Loch Garry

After passing the rocky outcrop at 590m the ATV track was much more obvious and I was able to stay on it to reach the ridge.

At this point the summit cairn came in to view for the first time, the main climb was out of the way and I knew there were some peat hags ahead. On reaching them I stayed well over to the right and was able to avoid all of them before another couple of climbs before finally reaching the top. From the point where the cairn came in to view and the cairn itself there is a lot of hidden ground and it took me longer than expected to make it to the top.

The cairn getting closer

Closer still

Sheep posing for the tourist

At least there was a bit of a wind at the top of the hill as I had picked up a few cleg bites on the calmer lower slopes. A quick bit of grub and I was off down the hill again.

Summit cairn with Schiehallion in the background

The route down the hill

On the way down there was one chap over the hill a bit from me and on his way up - the only person I saw all day (except for three workmen).

Back on the track at the bothy I decided to head back rather than climb the adjacent Graham as I fancied coming back for this hill from the Rannoch side.

Back at the bridge I took another couple of photos.

On the way back to Loch Garry I didn't bother looking for higher and drier ground and just stuck with the ATV track. A quick drink out of Allt Coire Easan and I was on the final stretch back to Dalnaspidal.

View back towards Dalnaspidal

Back at the car in exactly 6hrs and still dry so a better finish than yesterday. I had been looking at this hill for a while now so it was good to get a decent day to get it done.

[rockhopper]

It's a good, long walk but at least the rain stayed off. These groundworks seemed to have got established fairly recently. Think if I was going back for this one on its own I'd take the bike - cheers

[past my sell by date]

Well you did it a lot faster than me Gordie - though I did get slightly misplaced

[BlackPanther]

Aaah the famous trouser-tearing summit cairn

Shame about the mess around the bridge, we did this very route one year in early spring, the slopes of Mholach covered in melting snow. The river was in spate and the bogs were as boggy as a bog can be

[Gordie12]

It's a good, long walk but at least the rain stayed off. These groundworks seemed to have got established fairly recently. Think if I was going back for this one on its own I'd take the bike - cheers

I was an hour to the far end of the loch and would guess it could probably be cycled in 20 odd minutes as it's pretty flat. Not sure why, I have a mountain bike in the garage but I never take it with me when doing a hill.

[Gordie12]

Well you did it a lot faster than me Gordie - though I did get slightly misplaced

Getting "misplaced" just adds to the fun. My navigation once walking is decent, it's finding the correct parking areas at the start I struggle with.

[Gordie12]

Aaah the famous trouser-tearing summit cairn

Shame about the mess around the bridge, we did this very route one year in early spring, the slopes of Mholach covered in melting snow. The river was in spate and the bogs were as boggy as a bog can be

Hi BP - I read all the reports on this hill the night before - think I got a better day than you!!