walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Misty Meagaidh

Misty Meagaidh


Postby withypitts » Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:44 pm

Route description: Creag Meagaidh circuit

Munros included on this walk: Càrn Liath (Creag Meagaidh), Creag Meagaidh, Stob Poite Coire Àrdair

Date walked: 04/06/2018

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 21 km

Ascent: 1080m

Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

A week in Spean Bridge gave me the opportunity to explore lots of new territory (for me), and a short drive in the morning sunshine to Loch Laggan was the prelude to a fine circuit of Creag Meagaidh.

The well made path through the regenerating forest soon revealed excellent views to the south.

IMG_3149.JPG


Mist was still swirling above the Coire Ardair ahead. Hoping that it would clear as the sun rose higher in the sky, I decided to do the Walkhighlands 'Creag Meagaidh Circuit' in reverse - that is, walk along the corrie first, then up to Creag Meagaidh, leaving the ridge walk to Carn Liath for later in the day.

IMG_3150.JPG


The dramatic cliffs at the end of the corrie were soon within sight.

IMG_3154.JPG


Eventually the path ran alongside the fast-flowing Allt Coire Ardair.

IMG_3155.JPG


The easy going continued up to the tranquil Lochan Coire Ardair with it's spectacular backdrop.

IMG_3155a.jpg


Something told me that the next part of the walk, up to the Window (far right in the photo), was going to be a bit more taxing. The patch of snow and the grey mist looked distinctly uninviting.

IMG_3157.JPG


At least the stiff walk up to the Window continued to provide excellent views of the massive crags.

IMG_3158.JPG


Higher up the weird calls of ravens echoed around the cliffs.

IMG_3159.JPG


The Window was as cold and murky as it had appeared from below, but as the path rose up onto the high plateau above the cliffs there were superb views down into the corrie with its lochan.

IMG_3159a.jpg


The plateau was a different world after the corrie and the steep climb. Patchy mist added to the strange feel, although it didn't seem to bother one local resident. How do frogs survive up here?

IMG_3161.JPG


Suddenly Mad Meg's gigantic cairn appeared. In the mist it was not clear that the summit was still some way ahead, except that the trodden path carried on straight past the cairn.

IMG_3161c.jpg


The next cairn was a more convincing summit, especially as the mist cleared from time to time to reveal views to south and north.

IMG_3163.JPG


Heading back towards the Window, I was treated to a glimpse of the summit ridge through the mist.

IMG_3163a.jpg


A patch of snow appeared to have a faint circle engraved on it. Is this due to the underlying rock of has it been created by the local wildlife?

IMG_3164.JPG


The climb to the top of Stob Poite a'Choire Ardair was soon accomplished, but the mist continued to roll in from the north.

IMG_3165.JPG


Gradually, however, it began to give up, and the cliffs on the other side of the corrie were revealed.

IMG_3166.JPG


IMG_3167.JPG


The splendid ridge ahead also became apparent.

IMG_3169.JPG


With dry grass underfoot most of the way, the undulating ridge was a delight to walk. The cliffs at the head of the corrie were moving further away with each step.

IMG_3171.JPG


From the summit of Carn Liath, attention was drawn to Loch Laggan far below.

IMG_3172.JPG


With the mist now long forgotten, a view as far as the distant Cairngorms was even possible.

IMG_3173.JPG


The direction down to Loch Laggan and the car park was clear even though there was no obvious path at first.

IMG_3173a.jpg


In the dry ground conditions the slopes back down to the well made path in the corrie presented no difficulty in the late afternoon sunshine.

Overall this was a superbly varied day in the hills, with a fantastic corrie to start, dramatic cliffs, a rather eerie high plateau, an excellent ridge walk and a very pleasant return to base in benign conditions.
Attachments
IMG_3159b.jpg
withypitts
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 37
Munros:43   Corbetts:13
Fionas:9   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:170
Wainwrights:96   
Joined: Dec 19, 2016
Location: Sussex

Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Kevin D Murray and 81 guests