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Weather and my good wife, offered another opportunity to get away for the day, so thought I would add to my tally of Argyll Corbett's. I might manage all of them, but no way will I be doing the full round! Having missed out on good photo's on my visit to Beinn Sgulaird, its smaller neighbour, Creach Bheinn, seemed like a fair compromise.
- Looking out to the Lynn of Lorn, on the way up.
- The bealach, Coire Buidhe.
Same lay by for parking, as when doing Sgulaird, though initial track has been upgraded, along with other hydro dam works. Another walker was just heading for the hills, as I drew up, but I assumed he was probably heading for the munro. Eventually I got my gear on and set off up the road, intent on following the WH's route, but saw no sign of the other fellow. Not long after passing the very wee cairn, marking the track off to Beinn Sgulaird, the road levels out a bit, before making a steady, sometimes even steep, rise up Coire Buidhe, where I saw the other walker, apparently heading for the same hill.
- Still plenty clag on Meall Garbh, at this point.
There was still some mist lower down, but the sun was strong, making me sweat, as though I was melting
Eventually caught up with the other guy, Steve, when he stopped high up the corrie, for fluids and ponder a way up, onto the 'ridge.' He did wonder about making for the bealach between Creag na Cathaig and Meall Garbh and which I thought would also have been a viable way down, when viewed on my return. He chose to ascend a steep looking gully, directly south, whereas I went about another 20 yards on the road, then followed the faint, grassy, track off to the right, which makes a longer, but more gradual, curving rise onto Creag na Cathaig. This time, I think I got the better option, arriving further along the ridge, than Steve, though perhaps he spent a long time, smoking his wee cigar, as I left him, below
- The trig point away in the distance.
- Ship in at Glensanda.
- Looking over Creagan Bridge, to Appin and Castle Stalker, just about visible.
- Keeping up with my ship spotting :) CSL Argosy, loading at Glensanda Quarry.
Anyway, we tagged up again and kept company till the summit. He is doing the round of Corbett's. Good luck, I say
The forecast was for the clag to clear, but Meall Garbh remained well shrouded, as we made our way onto the steeper part of the climb, however by the time we made it onto the flatter part of the ridge, it was clearing fast and made for an enjoyable wander to the distant trig point.
- Over Loch Abhainn Teithil, Lismore and Lynn of Lorn.
- Summit trig point, 810m.
It took me about 2 and a quarter hours of sweaty toil, to the top, which affords provides a fine viewpoint in all directions, even enabling me to indulge in another favourite past time, of ship spotting, as I could see a cargo ship, loading at Glensanda.
- Summit panorama of Etive and Glencoe hills.
- And from Mull, round to the north.
- Yours truly.
- Starav, just keeping hold of some cloud.
- Beinn Trilleachan, with Ben Starav, behind.
- Beinn Starav, clear and Beinn nan Aighenan.
Spent a fair bit of time at the summit, enjoying food, drink and photo's, before parting company with Steve. He likes to keep things exciting, whereas not having checked out any other options, I was happy enough to stick to plan A, on this occasion. (He chose to descend via Meall nan Caorach and said he didn't find it too difficult, when I caught up with him back at the cars.) Made my way back along the ridge, enjoying the views and taking plenty photo's, though was disappointed Cruachan never really showed face, having been a wander up Coire Chreachainn, with the dog, the previous day.
- A DIY, of ridge toward, Sgulaird.
- Beinn Sgulaird, zoomed.
- Beinn a'Bheithir.
- Back along the ridge, to the north.
- Closer look at crags of, Creag na Cathaig.
- The two Buachaille's, centre and Sgreamhach to the left, Stob Dubh, Glen Etive, to the right.
Once back on the road, I made swift progress down the hill, throwing in a wee jog now and then, not wanting the Glasgow man to leave me way behind
Actually, I was in a bit of a rush to get home for a family doo, that evening!
- The long and winding road, up, or down.
- Zoomed view over Loch Creran, to the Creagan Bridge.
Finally, I did spot Steve, well ahead of me, almost at the bottom and had I not been sprinting, he would have come down much earlier than me, but I did get back to the car, just in time to say cheerio, as he made for home, taking 4 and a half hours for the trip, which I found a very enjoyable hill to do
- Loch Creran.