Sunshine in Ardverikie Forest

[PeteR]

This was a walk I had first attempted in the early part of the winter, but deep snow, together with worsening weather had seen me off. Having spent a while in the tranquility of Lochan na h-Earba at the time I knew it was a place I wanted to return to. I was feeling fit(ish) and so thought this was a good route for the weekend. Arriving at the parking area it was clear I wasn't the only one thinking that, as it was looking nice and busy

Feeling fit(ish) I'd decided to add an extra mile to the route and ascend Beinn a'Chlachair via the long south west ridge and make a good long day of it.

I was definitely blessed with the weather. Although there was a haze for most of the day it was predominantly blue sky, sun and warm. What breeze there was early on was definitely welcome. If only I'd brought the sun cream with me

The start of the day

idyllic

First target of the day

The walk in to the first small lochan before Lochan na h-Earba was easy pickings, and was then followed by a great little walk to the ruin of Lubvan

Lubvan

And a lovely walk alongside Allt Cam with the Culra Munros coming into view

Aonach Beag

Allt Cam

Then came the walk up the south west ridge The profile of the hill suggested this should be reasonably straightforward. The guide I had read suggested the same. Not technically difficult perhaps, but after a while I was feeling every step, as it seemed steeper and tougher than I was expecting. Some good views were opening up though

Views heading up Beinn a'Chlachair

And then the boulders and rocks

Heading up Beinn a'Chlachair

Eventually though I hit the summit, I had hoped for an icream van pehaps or a pub selling real ale But no such luck. What I did have were more good views

Aonach Beag from Beinn a'Chlachair

Route to Geal Charn

It was more of the same getting off the hill, with rocks, rocks and more rocks to navigate - all of which was sapping energy from me. Even so, I was still having a ball. Views back to the summit were good too

Looking back

The descent to bealach leamhain looks steep, but isn't as bad as you might think. I was soon down and on my way to Geal Charn, but not before meeting the WH celebrity - Wilson - and his mum and dad who were on an epic 5 hill challenge
On the descent you get a great view of a small lochan on the bealach

Bealach Leamhain lochan

I chose to follow the stalkers path up to the saddle between Geal Charn and Creag Pitridh for the up and down of Geal Charn first and then to Creag Pitridh. I seemed to be having a problem following the path on Geal Charn but eventually, after more fun and games on the boulders and rocks, the summmit and cairn came into view, with some good views from the top

Geal Charn summit

Creag Pitridh from Geal Charn

View to Beinn a'Chlachair

View from Geal Charn

By now I was really feeling it. Legs were getting sore, feet were burning and to make it worse I had a deep skin blister on the ball of my left foot. The wind was getting a bit keener too - a damn sight keener than me by then that was for sure

But Creag Pitridh was calling. I was starting to resent the fact that this little hill was over the magical 3,000 foot mark and that Mr Munro had afforded it Munro status. Given that there had been no change to its status since 1891 I wasn't expecting any change soon, so it was onwards and onwards.

Actually, the path up this final hill of the day was a great tonic for my aching limbs. It had the feel of a real hill path as it made its way to the final summit of the day and despite being knackered enthusiasm levels received a late boost up to the summit It had been tough, but I had managed to bag all three

Creag Pitridh summit cairn

View from Creag Pitridh 1

View from Creag Pitridh 2

View from Creag Pitridh 3

The descent from Creag Pitridh was an easy, gentle trek along a path down the south west ridge (until I lost it ). Then it was just an easy trek over the grass back to the stalkers path and back to the car via Lochan na h-Earba, which is such a tranquil spot you could lose yourself there for ages

Lochan na h-Earba

This was a good long walk. Technically not difficult, but the length (17 miles) and the terrain (a lot of boulders and big rocks) made for a tough day in the hills. Sure, my knees know all about it today, but all the same I loved it

[ChrisW]

Cracking good read PeteR, congratulations on a bloody long walk love the views from Creag Pitridh with No.3 being my favourite. Really enjoyed this - thanks

[Bruadair]

Great report Peter...............some cracking photo's....love the idyllic setting shot.

Regards...................B

[PeteR]

Cracking good read PeteR, congratulations on a bloody long walk love the views from Creag Pitridh with No.3 being my favourite. Really enjoyed this - thanks

Thanks Chris. It was a good walk this one. Haven't had the best of winters, but have really enjoyed getting out these last few weeks and stretching my legs. Fitness is certainly getting back, so here's to many more long spring and summer days on the hills in 2011

[PeteR]

Great report Peter...............some cracking photo's....love the idyllic setting shot.

Regards...................B

Thanks Bruadair. I'm a bit click happy on the hills, so it's always hard to choose which pictures to post. Not sure I'd get away with posting the 130 + I took on this walk

[jools]

Ahh, your name is Peter...... forgot to ask when we met you as you descended your 1st Munro. Glad you managed your target for the day, especially after getting beaten back in the early winter months.

Did you get any nice snow filled views that day when you first attempted that round.?

Any how, i think we all scored on the sunday weather wise, Your pictures are proof of that. Your 1st pic is nice but strange, if there was any less snow on the hill you would think there was nothing there . A ghost hill!

Good that you say your fitness is getting there, that suggests you are already in the planning for your next chapter.

Nice meeting you, shame we never talked for longer.

Dave Julie and Wilson.

[PeteR]

Ahh, your name is Peter...... forgot to ask when we met you as you descended your 1st Munro. Glad you managed your target for the day, especially after getting beaten back in the early winter months.

Did you get any nice snow filled views that day when you first attempted that round.?

Any how, i think we all scored on the sunday weather wise, Your pictures are proof of that. Your 1st pic is nice but strange, if there was any less snow on the hill you would think there was nothing there . A ghost hill!

Good that you say your fitness is getting there, that suggests you are already in the planning for your next chapter.

Nice meeting you, shame we never talked for longer.

Dave Julie and Wilson.

Thanks Jools. It was good to meet the three of you o the hills. I know what you mean about that first picture - it was something of a surprise to me too when I got back home and looked at my photies. I think the haze certainly helped make that one. Definitely more long days planned, but not on the same scale as you, Dave and Wilson. Haven't quite plucked up the courage to invest in a tent and all the equipment yet. Maybe one day I will take the plunge

[warbietoo]

Superb report & pics.

Thanks

[monty]

Hi Peter.
Nice set of pictures. That sounded like a tough ascent and after doing it today I agree hahaha. Missed this report somehow.