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With one day left in May and the weather report looking good enough i decided i'd use my day off to try and squeeze something high in before the month was out.
I'd had my eye on these 4 for a while, but was a bit wary of the ascent. I figured that with the daylight hours being as they are, if i had to take it easy it was no problem.
Thanks to the aforementioned long days, i could afford to have a lie-in and didn't park up at Invervar until about 11:45.When i set off it was bright enough with white fluffy clouds in the sky.
Headed through the big gate to start through the forest, almost stepping on a rotten crow being enjoyed by a horde of flies.
Some nice waterfalls to be seen on the burn to the left of the path.
There was a tree across the path at one point(no doubt another casualty of the wind) which required clambering over. Thanks to this I spotted the empty husk of a dragonfly moult. I'd have stuck it in my bag then but i had nothing to put it in(must grab some suitable vials from work for future similar opportunities.
Nice easy path up to the point where you have to cross the burn. 2 options, ford it or cross the dodgy rusty-looking bridge! I took the bridge, bouncy but it held me.
- wobbly bridge
Wen't a little off course as i meandered along, but it's easy to see where you're headed. I knew with this ascent to the first summit being around 800m, it'd be my least favourite part of the day. Thankfully no one was there to see my sour face or hear the curses! Alot of false summits, but there were great views over to the Lawers range.
- Lawers range pano
Ben More and Stob Binnien just visible on the right too.
Pleased to reach the top. That old familiar smile spread across my face again, summit euphoria was upon me. Decent views all round. Looking towards Schiehallion i realised it was not far off a year to the day i was up there in the sunshine.
- Carn Gorm summit
- Meal Garbh, Carn Mairg, Creag Mhor and Schiehallion peeking up from behind.
A wave of rain on it's way from over past Loch Rannoch so i didn't hang about. I could see 5 or 6 other folk in the distance.
Followed the path and then the fence posts up to the curious looking summit of Meal Garbh. A quick snap and summit tap then it was onward ho.
- Meall Garbh summit
2 out of 4 summits done, but a check of my gps showed i'd only covered a third of the days distance. Hint of cramp in the legs so i dosed up on electrolytes and continued on. Quite looking forward to the craggy looking summit of Carn Mairg.
Bit of a slog uphill with the way my legs were feeling, but i got some light relief from some dung beetles in the path. On of them was wrestling with a ball of dropping against the wind and despite it's determination there was only going to be 1 winner.
Real rocky business on summit number 3. Hopped up the tor but for some reason didn't think to take in the view and get a couple of snaps.
- Carn Mairg summit
Doubled back towards Schiehallion to avoid those nasty crags. A rainbow showing me the way.
Looking back at the crags i'm glad there's an easier route down. I chatted to a couple who'd stopped for a cup of tea on the way up Creag Mhor who'd come down the crags without knowing of the alternative way.
Only a brief stop on summit 4 to touch the cairn and grab a quick snap. Had a brief convo with a group of 4 i'd caught up with as they sat down for a rest.
- Creag Mhor summit
A bit of to-ing and fro-ing before i found the fairly good path down. Reminded me a bit of the descent of Ben Lomond via Ptarmigan.
Crossing the styles over the deer fences wasn't much fun with weary legs but i was almost back at the car for a cup of coffee and a banoffee muffin. That kept me going.
Back at the car sweaty, tired but satisfied. Up to 6 Munros for May and 27 total now.