Stay at home

[Steven001]

I arrived at the Achaladair carp park at 1030am. I had planed to be there for 9am but as usual I slept in and arrived late I knew it was a loooong walk in, so I left the car park wearing my trainers and had my B2's tied onto my rucksack (still haven't got my summer boots back from my friend). I walked towards Achaladair farm and I arrived, there was a heard of cows guarding the gate into the old climbers car park. There were a few calfs amongst the heard which were being guarded by their mothers. I didn't fancy my chances so I took a detour around the farm and ended up with soaking wet feet and having to climb three six foot walls! After a 20 minute detour, I stopped and put my boots and gaiters on as my feet were soaking. This turned out to be a big mistake as I had to walk almost 5 miles of flat path wearing my stiff boots.





I followed the path until the small bridge which crosses the Water of Tulla. I hopped across the river and walked up the right side of the fenced forest area. There was no path at all on this section and I image it could be easy to get lost. I eventually found the small underpass under the railway and started to make my assent. Once through the underpass, I crossed the river and walked up the track along side the deer fence. The views from this section were incredible. It was a lovely clear morning and the views towards Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and Fort William were amazing.





I was starting to get really tired at this point. I struggled my way up the stream and eventually arrived at Coire an Lochain. I then headed straight up the steeps slops on to the ridge of Beinn a'Chreachain. It was hard going and my legs were exhausted - it felt like I was wearing led boots. After a short struggle and reached the ridge and stopped for a quick bite to eat



I continued up the ridged and by 1445 I reached the summit of Beinn a'Chreachain. The walk towards Beinn Achaladair was straight forward and the light was beautiful.









There wasn't a breath of wind. There was total silence, I couldn't hear a think and felt a million miles away from the nearest person. I walked down the ridge towards the corrie and stopped for some food.



The started to set as I decided down the corrie and the sky lit up with a red glow. There were several herds of dear on the slopes but I couldn't get close enough to get a decent picture.





I arrived back at the car just as the last of the light disappeared. I was exhausted but it was definitely worth the effort.

I tried to post this earlier in the week but I was having issues uploading the images.

[mrssanta]

that was lovely especially the sunset

[skawt100]

Very jealous of your weather and interesting to read your walk report which contrasts my experiences 4 days later on the 29th quite a bit.

I walked in along the access road and there was only big cows on the road before you get to the houses and climbers car park. We went through the gate into the field after the climbers car park and there were only calves. One of which refused to move until the very last second.

Looking at your gps route it looks like you crossed the Water of Tulla much further up than we did. We crossed very near the two planks that are in place of the old FB on the map. It was a thigh deep shoes and socks off river crossing. Were you able to cross without taking your shoes off? From the FB there is a well trodden path that takes you up to the railway tunnels and then along the side of the deer fence on the other side.

We lost all visibility just below Coire an Lochain and after that spent the day in strongish winds and drizzle. Your photos help really well to realise what we were missing! Haha.

[Steven001]

Thanks Mrssanta

Very jealous of your weather and interesting to read your walk report which contrasts my experiences 4 days later on the 29th quite a bit.

I walked in along the access road and there was only big cows on the road before you get to the houses and climbers car park. We went through the gate into the field after the climbers car park and there were only calves. One of which refused to move until the very last second.

Looking at your gps route it looks like you crossed the Water of Tulla much further up than we did. We crossed very near the two planks that are in place of the old FB on the map. It was a thigh deep shoes and socks off river crossing. Were you able to cross without taking your shoes off? From the FB there is a well trodden path that takes you up to the railway tunnels and then along the side of the deer fence on the other side.

We lost all visibility just below Coire an Lochain and after that spent the day in strongish winds and drizzle. Your photos help really well to realise what we were missing! Haha.

I was very lucky with the weather, it was beautiful. It's a shame you missed all the amazing views (am I making you even more jealous yet?) but at least it will give you an excuse to go back How did you find navigating in the poor visibility? There are quite a few steep drops offs between the two summits.

I think I crossed the water where it's described on the walk highlands route, but I never saw the bridge pictured at Stage 1: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/beinn-achaladair.shtml Thankfully I managed to cross the river without getting my feet wet. I walked slightly upstream and found a section which I could cross by jumping between rocks.