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Stob Fear-tomhais? Beinn Stacath? Whatever!

Stob Fear-tomhais? Beinn Stacath? Whatever!


Postby Yorjick » Sat Aug 03, 2019 8:07 pm

Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn Stacath

Date walked: 31/07/2019

Time taken: 5.5 hours

Distance: 12 km

Ascent: 739m

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Up to 1997, the Corbetts list named the peak as Stob Fear-tomhais; post-1997: SMC website has Ceann na Baintighearna, SMC guide to the Corbetts (2002) has Beinn Stacath . . . . Very confusing!

So, whatever you want to call it, here is my walk report!

This was my third walk from Inverlochlarig. the first was to round up the Munro tops of Meall na Dige and Stob Coire an Lochain whose parent peak is Stob Binnein (back in 1999). Stob Binnein is usually climbed with Ben More from the north and the tops see relatively few visitors. The second route was to climb Stob a'Choin in 2015.

The last time I saw Stob a'Choin, it was in winter conditions and shrouded in clag. It was great to be able to see it this time!

IMGP0479.JPG


Thunder storms were forecast for later in the day and we had a long drive home, so the original plan to include the Graham, Stob Breac, was ditched with an up and down route to bag the Corbett, Beinn Stacach. I was aware that some sources stated that approaching the hill from the north was not recommended due to the extensive forestry, but this was the route that caught my interest. Would I recommend it? Not really, especially not for those that like to bag peaks by the easiest possible route. However, the route did pass a couple of very beautiful spots and the forestry track did allow for a speedy descent.


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The first part was familiar ground, taking the track down the side of the car park and crossing the wooden bridge over the River Larig. However, instead of heading right for Stob a'Choin, we took the track to the left, heading eastwards. Initially, the going was pleasant but later, the track shown on the map turned out to be the faintest of paths through some very long grass and very wet underfoot.

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We eventually reached the Invernenty Burn. There was an easy place to cross the burn but we could not see an obvious way through to the forestry track that should give us such quick and easy access to the open hillside a the top of the glen. So, after a brief discussion, we decided to follow the west bank of the burn. We were able to briefly join a very green track and then a faint path, but the route gradually diverged with the intended route and was by no means easy going. At one point, we had to force our way through dense trees. We did reach an idyllic spot to rest and have a spot to rest and eat. It consisted of a slab of rock in the middle of the burn above a small waterfall (sorry no photo). It gave us chance to check the map and we decided to take the next firebreak up to try and find the track.

IMGP0481.JPG


After crawling under a deer fence we followed the burn up. we followed the burn uphill, switching banks several time to find easier ground. High up, the ground became very steep and it looked like we may need to do battle with some more trees, so we dropped down steep grass to below a particularly beautiful waterfall. I was aware of a break in the trees at the top of the grassy bank on the far side and I was hoping that it would lead to the track. But first, I suggested that Thomas took a food break, while I set up my camera for a couple of minimum aperture (f 1/22), 1 second shutter speed photo of the waterfall. I would have liked to have used a slower shutter speed but I would need an ND filter for that - one of these days, I will invest in one. I feel moderately pleased with the outcome. An alternative approach would to have taken several 1s shots and photomerge them to obtain that dreamy, wispy effect flowing water.

IMGP0485Ed1.jpg


We clambered up the steep vegetation above. Even challenging ground like this takes some skill and experience in finding the best way up, even though it was not a rock climb and Thomas lagged behind a bit. I shouted encouragingly, with a smile on my face, "I've found the track"! The waterfall is not quite marked on the right place on the map, but I knew exactly where we were from the sharp z bend on the track. There are only two of these on the entire track. The track was then followed with ease to the edge of the forestry, where there was a padlocked bothy.

IMGP0486.JPG


After checking out the bothy, a sound structure but in need of a good clean, we headed up the grassy slopes to meet the fence which can be followed all the way to the summit.

The photograph below is looking north to Stob Binnein and Ben More. The bothy can be seen bottom right.

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Thomas, looking in need of more food, approaching the summit.

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Looking north, down the ridge to Ceann na Baintighearna, with dark clouds developing over ​Stob Binnein and Ben More.

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Once our sandwiches were eaten, I was ready to set up the tripod and do a 12 second delay selfie. I know that carrying a tripod, even a lightweight tripod, adds significant weight to the pack, it is worth it to capture these moments that we can look back on in future years.

IMGP0504.JPG


We took a slightly more direct line down to the track. I was ready to jog down the track, but Thomas was not. It turned out later that he was developing a blister on one of his heels. The fell shoes had been fin the previous day. Perhaps it was something to do with his socks?

I put my camera away in my rucksack for the descent, so that it would not be swinging about as I ran some sections down the hill, so there are far fewer photos of the descent than the ascent, but I did take the camera out during a short break next to the bothy.

IMGP0506.JPG


Where the track bends round to the right, there is a sharp left hand turning. The track is very overgrown and not at all obvious, but after a grassy start it becomes a pleasant carpet of moss and pine needles. It reaches the Invernenty Burn at a gorge. It seemed preferable to go downstream than up, so we walked downstream, picking up a bit of a path that lead to a gateway before crossing the burn to pick up the outward route. After, changing our footwear and sitting in the car eating nuts, the heavens opened. Perfect timing again!
Last edited by Yorjick on Tue Aug 20, 2019 5:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Yorjick
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 250
Munros:282   Corbetts:217
Fionas:66   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:22   Hewitts:158
Wainwrights:173   Islands:19
Joined: Sep 17, 2008
Location: Dornoch

Re: Stob Fear-tomhais? Beinn Stacath? Whatever!

Postby Sgurr » Sun Aug 04, 2019 9:48 am

Lucky to get any teenager up a hill, regardless of facial expression. Well done to the both of you.
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Sgurr
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 5679
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:569   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   Islands:58
Joined: Nov 15, 2010
Location: Fife

Re: Stob Fear-tomhais? Beinn Stacath? Whatever!

Postby Yorjick » Sun Aug 04, 2019 3:24 pm

Sgurr wrote:Lucky to get any teenager up a hill, regardless of facial expression. Well done to the both of you.


The alternative was staying at home and looking after his little brother. :lol: I should take him up some easier routes with established paths rather than struggling up steep vegetation.

I told him about the difference between Munros and Corbetts, not just in terms of their heights, but that Corbetts often involve pathless terrain. I suggested that few approached the hill from the north because of the extensive forestry, preferring to approach from the east. When telling him that I only have sixteen more Corbetts to climb, he responded "So basically we are doing the hills that nobody else bothers with". "That's about right Thomas!" :lol:

I cannot get him into camping. All my holidays as a kid were camping holidays, as well as weekends and I love sleeping in a tent. I rather like the flapping of the fabric and even the pitter patter of rain!

Bothies lack wifi and electric sockets, so our plans tend to be based in hostels. :(
User avatar
Yorjick
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 250
Munros:282   Corbetts:217
Fionas:66   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:22   Hewitts:158
Wainwrights:173   Islands:19
Joined: Sep 17, 2008
Location: Dornoch

Re: Stob Fear-tomhais? Beinn Stacath? Whatever!

Postby Yorjick » Sun Aug 04, 2019 3:26 pm

Sgurr - Out of interest, by what route did you do Beinn Stacath?
User avatar
Yorjick
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 250
Munros:282   Corbetts:217
Fionas:66   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:22   Hewitts:158
Wainwrights:173   Islands:19
Joined: Sep 17, 2008
Location: Dornoch

Re: Stob Fear-tomhais? Beinn Stacath? Whatever!

Postby Sgurr » Mon Aug 05, 2019 9:36 pm

Am bagging Wainwrights currently.. Will look up next week.
User avatar
Sgurr
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 5679
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:569   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   Islands:58
Joined: Nov 15, 2010
Location: Fife

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