free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
With Allison away in Belgium it was me on my todd today. I'd been working on Saturday, so only had Sunday to get out on the hills - with a miserable weather forecast in prospect. I'd swithered about what to climb, Marilyns or Simms...and decided on Beinn Bhiudhe and some of its surrounding Simms (or Tops if you'd rather). Driving up the A82 the weather didn't seem too unpleasant although the trees were being buffeted by a strong wind. I parked up \t the start of the road into Fyne Ales Brewery and decided upon waterproofs from the outset. The tarmac road goes through the brewery buildings and along the side of the River Fyne. There are always, it seems, highland cows watching what you're doing.
P1130418 by
Al, on Flickr
Cruach Tuirc
P1130419 by
Al, on Flickr
P1130420 by
Al, on Flickr
Along to Inverchoran and up into the ferns. I'd decided to climb Beinn Chas first of all - I followed the usual Bhuidhe track up by the river before turning off left and tackling the steep grassy hillside. I came across a new hydro track crossing the way. Pressing on, flatter ground was reached at the foot of Chas before an easy lollop up its slopes. The wind was strong and I had to hunker down in a sheltered spot for lunch. Looking over at the southern slopes of Bhuidhe I thought it seemed steep and craggy. I thought it easier to head over Meall an Daimh and to aim for somewhere west of the summit of Bhuidhe taking in Stac a'Chuirn first. Unfortunately as I walked towards Meall an Daimh the clag came down and the rain started. It didn't stop
Up through the ferns
P1130421 by
Al, on Flickr
New bulldozed road
P1130423 by
Al, on Flickr
Beinn Chas
P1130426 by
Al, on Flickr
Presumably some sort of flora study
P1130428 by
Al, on Flickr
Bhuidhe from summit of Chas
P1130430 by
Al, on Flickr
Bhuidhe
P1130431 by
Al, on Flickr
It was indeed steep going up the southern slopes of Bhuidhe, slippy steep grass but I made it up onto the broad ridge and squelched along to Stac a'Chuirn - always further than it seemed to be. There is a faint track to follow, and I returned along this to the top of Bhuidhe. The remains of a trig point and a few scraps of Tibetan prayer flag adorned the summit. The weather was by now thoroughly unpleasant - strong wind blowing the rain directly into my face. My waterproofs were saturated and my feet had their own pools. I had considered adding on Beinn an-t Sithean to the NW, but this would involve another 6+ kilometres and 300m descent then re-ascent. I just didn't fancy it.
Stac a'Chuirn
P1130432 by
Al, on Flickr
Summit
P1130433 by
Al, on Flickr
P1130434 by
Al, on Flickr
Bhuidhe summit
P1130435 by
Al, on Flickr
In very poor visibility I returned to the broad path leading east from the summit of Bhuidhe, aiming for Ceann Garbh. I was wary of descending over crags in the mist and switched my GPS from the route I'd planned for today to the standard WH route. I saw the 901m peak just off the main path and thought that would be easy just to ascend and return to the standard descent path. What I hadn't remembered was that the 901m peak was the eastern Top of Bhuidhe, not Ceann Garbh. I fought to the summit against ever strengthening wind and was happy to duck back down to the path and lose height into the descent route. There was a reasonably clear path to squelch along - I didn't really mind the puddles now as my feet couldn't get wetter. I passed aother new bulldozed road - maybe joining up with the one I'd seen earlier - and continued on my way down to the sheep fanks by the track.
East summit of Bhuidhe
P1130436 by
Al, on Flickr
Great weather!
P1130437 by
Al, on Flickr
P1130439 by
Al, on Flickr
It was actually quite pleasant walking through the woodland in the rain - vibrant green of new-washed beech leaves flowers cupping a sphere of silver raindrop. It was good to be out of the wind. I made a reasonable pace along the road and arrived back at the car, sodden and a bit chilly. Thank God for heated seats
It was only when I got home and was entering my data that I realised my mistake about Ceann Garbh. One little Simm that got away...oh well another trip to Glen Fyne for another day awaits.
P1130440 by
Al, on Flickr
P1130441 by
Al, on Flickr
