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Had intended to do a walk from Mamore Lodge but there seemed to be no access. Instead, I drove the short distance west to the path up to Mam na Gualainn. Not realising that the track behind the parking spot joins the sign posted path I started off along the road a short distance before turning onto the waymarked start.
It was a lovely afternoon though so I didn't mind a little extra time to admire Beinn a' Bheithir ahead on the road. Then it was off into some woodland for a wee while but that was soon left behind and the way ahead became very clear -just follow the path up to the bealach and turn right. I got a bit fed up with the steepening and occasionally slippy path in the relative heat and windlessness though so decided to make a north east diagonal from the 400m contour. That was ok but a bit sore on the feet.
At about 600m and 700m I crossed some burns and filled a spare bottle -handy to have a water source so high up. A few snow patches to cross too but mainly I followed the line of a fence that stretched as far as I could see ahead. In fact this fence goes pretty much all the way to the top.
I was labouring a bit in the still air and warm sun but knew that simply required a slow pace and regular stops, plus the map told me only 1.5km to go and 150m of ascent. My legs and lungs appreciated those stops. So did my eyes, of course, as I could stop to admire the view as well as to recover.
Soon the top hove into view but not before Beinn na Caillich popped up to the east, to add to the fine view of Schiehallion, Garbh Bheinn and Loch Leven.
Seeing the top didn't exactly put a spring my step -still 1km to go but I was making steady progress, especially as I was no longer leaning into the slope but, rather, onto the broad summit ridge and with an occasional 1mph breeze.
On up through a gate, an easy stroll ensued for the last wee stretch to the summit trig point. By now views west had expanded to take in a distant Ben More on Mull, Garbh Bheinn and Sgurr Dhomnhuill in Ardgour and, I think, Crom Roinn just visible against the now shimmering Loch Linnhe.
Not much to the view north -the snowy half dome of Ben Nevis and a flat lit Mamores ridge not really seen at their best from here.
An easier descent initially as I followed the ridge line all the way to its end this time. A bit of a wet and sloppy path though at the ridge end but nothing too problematic. Took the shorter route back to the car once near the bottom to end a not bad afternoon's walk.
DSCN7926 by
John Little, on Flickr
Beinn a' Bheithir.
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John Little, on Flickr
Garbh Bheinn, Kinlochleven and Schiehallion.
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John Little, on Flickr
Ben More on Mull.
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
Garbh Bheinn and Sgurr Dhomnhuill. As I look into the distance, I look into the past.
DSCN7982 by
John Little, on Flickr
Beinn na Caillich.
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John Little, on Flickr
At the top.
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
Ben More again.
DSCN7996 by
John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
The shimmering Loch Linnhe.
DSCN8018 by
John Little, on Flickr
DSCN8019 by
John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
A little bit of a dream.
DSCN8030 by
John Little, on Flickr
DSCN8031 by
John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
To grasp what I see, to see what I grasp.
DSCN8041 by
John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
DSCN8064 by
John Little, on Flickr
