Ben Tee toppled and topped at long last !

[The Rodmiester]

For the last three years at the AMC Christmas meet we have been trying to climb Ben Tee but because of horrific weather conditions this has not been possible, in fact last year it was so bad the only thing done was a quick run along to the end of Mandally road and an immediate return to the excellent Saddle Mountain Hostel where we were staying, for a hot shower and a visit to the drying room.
Two years ago three of us set off from the bunkhouse down Mandally road to tackle Ben Tee from the North East but only got as far as the Hump Meall nan Ruadhag which you will see from some of the summit photographs before returning completely soaked, the way we had come.

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The excellent Saddle Mountain Hostel in Invergarry just down the Mandally road where we were to be based for the weekend and well looked after by Gregor and Helen.

Cars parked at the parking area just before you come to Kilfinnan farm. Having already read Mountain Thymes report on this hill I was making sure not to climb too close to the Kilfinnan Burn but unfortunately still not climb far enough up the grassy mound at the start

Looking back from the grassy slopes on the East side of the Kilfinnan Burn towards Kilfinnan Farm

This section is fine underfoot but later on having cut off well before the high point, it does become a bit messy, the path is at an acute angle for walking with many slips had on the wet heathery roots

Getting heathery further up and we were to find a sheep path heading off on our left which we took. Suggest you keep heading further up the brow until you find another path which is the right path and the one we came down

We found a narrow path but would advise continuing further up as this was hard and slippy work with the wet exposed heather roots

The sun coming out making it a rather fine hill day for the beginning of December, there was no wind what so ever at this stage and the underfoot conditions were making it hard going

Looking back at the fence line we walked up until an opening and the cloud inversion over Loch Lochy

Flatter and not as wet underfoot conditions as we were expecting with Ben Tee in the distance. Even before reaching the long East shoulder there is evidence of a path. At this point we were both sweating profusely with the effort required climbing through the heather and with the mild temperature, and yes, this being December in Scotland, amazing

Signs of a path at this point but not always continuous

Looking over towards Loch Lochy with the cloud just hanging about as it would all day

Much shorter grass and heather which made for very pleasant walking conditions

I thought this looked quite nice, looking North East towards Invergarry

Meall nan Ruadhag a Hump of 445 m surrounded at the base with forestry. This was as far as we got two years ago due to rain and a wild wind. Lochan na Beinne Brice on the extreme left of picture

Coming up to the summit

Ben Tee summit cairn with Loch Lochy Munro Sron a' Choire Ghairbh 935 m behind

Two very happy climbers having made this the main target hill of the Christmas weekend Meet. We were at the summit in 2 hours 20 mins where we stayed for forty minutes soaking in the views and having a well deserved snack and drink

Looking North West from summit

Looking down the East shoulder the way we had come and the way we would return

The cloud just sitting over the Loch and the Kilfinnan Burn

Admiring the view from the summit cairn

Zoom in of Meall nan Ruadhag

Heading off the way we had come

Heading towards the fence line but higher up this time. Beyond the fence there is a path in the deep heather taking you down back to the starting point and car park

[BlackPanther]

What I remember from our visit to Ben Tee was a wonky stile over the fence and knee deep snow on the final 100m of ascent Another one to re-visit to see the views properly, glad you guys had great conditions for a cup of tea on Ben Tee

[The Rodmiester]

What I remember from our visit to Ben Tee was a wonky stile over the fence and knee deep snow on the final 100m of ascent Another one to re-visit to see the views properly, glad you guys had great conditions for a cup of tea on Ben Tee

Hi BP, a fine hill indeed with wonderful views, it's not often we get the opportunity to sit about so long on a summit especially in December

[Sunset tripper]

Nice one Rod. Great pictures. The Kilfinnan falls are well worth a visit on their own.
I climbed Ben Tee from the north once which makes it feel pretty remote. Cheers

[The Rodmiester]

Nice one Rod. Great pictures. The Kilfinnan falls are well worth a visit on their own.
I climbed Ben Tee from the north once which makes it feel pretty remote. Cheers

Hi Sunset tripper, I might take you up on visiting the falls. Good effort from getting to Ben Tee from the North it must have been a long day trying to get through all that forestry It certainly was was going to be beyond us to reach the summit from the Bunkhouse on Mandally road a very long way especially in December.

[Yorjick]

Done to a tee!

[The Rodmiester]

Done to a tee!

Steve, it was just a perfect day, after so many failings on the past meets it was just so good to get this one in

[Gordie12]

That looked fun Rod.

I'm still kicking myself for not adding this hill on to the two Loch Lochy Munros on what was a similar day weather wise. When I get round to this I'll probably start back at the car park by the loch side as I always enjoy having a wander by the canal.

2hrs 20 mins to the summit is noted

[The Rodmiester]

That looked fun Rod.

I'm still kicking myself for not adding this hill on to the two Loch Lochy Munros on what was a similar day weather wise. When I get round to this I'll probably start back at the car park by the loch side as I always enjoy having a wander by the canal.

2hrs 20 mins to the summit is noted

Hi Gordie, yep 2hours 20mins but really struggled the first bit through the Heather. Hope you get a day like we had and I don't mean the weather we had when I climbed the two Loch Loch. Munros, it was terrible.

[AbbsFooty]

What brilliant views, and all captured on Camera!
Thank you for that RodMiester