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.

Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn


Postby Graeme D » Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:09 pm

Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn Chuirn

Fionas included on this walk: Meall Odhar

Date walked: 20/06/2011

Time taken: 4.5 hours

Distance: 13 km

Ascent: 995m

12 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

The month of June. Long light nights. And if you can take advantage of the intermittent window of clement weather, an ideal opportunity for a spot of post-workplace evening hillwalking and bagging.

Debbie had taken Ailsa and herself off to her mum's for a couple of days so yours truly was left home alone with the dug! Might as well take the opportunity to fit in some evening hill time. I'd just be sitting at home watching TV and drinking beer otherwise!

I had a few notions, many of which I dismissed during the course of the day as being too fanciful and, not to put too fine a point on it, long for a Monday evening after a day at the chalk face. If only I didn't have to get at least some sleep before showing up for work again on the Tuesday morning. It was actually johnnyhall's report http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12452 about his overnighter in a bivvy on Beinn a'Ghlo between clocking off and back on again the next day which had put the idea in my head originally.

So I left work as early as I legally and contractually could and headed home to pick up Lucy and my pack before heading off. I was heading along the A85 towards Crieff but my final destination was as yet still unknown. The route was lined with options but I eventually settled on the Graham/Corbett pairing of Meall Odhar and Beinn Chuirn from Tyndrum.

I was parked and away from the Tyndrum Lower Station car park by 17.25 hours, across the railway and along the track to the right heading for the path up onto Sron nan Colan. After a few hundred metres the track crosses what appears to be a very wide, dried up stony river bed, before turning to the left and heading steeply uphill. The explanation for the river bed is immediately obvious - the scene ahead of me is a kind of lunarscape of scree and rocks, the remains of the mining operations that used to go on on this hillside and which have obviously been steadily washed downhill over the years and deposited and built up at the bottom in the stream.

DSCF0027.JPG
Steep scree scramble to start


It is a brutal start to the walk, but one that is quickly rewarded with views back across Tyndrum to the hills between the village and Loch Lyon, and further north towards Bridge of Orchy.

DSCF0028.JPG
Early views of Beinn Odhar


The old mines are all fenced off with some seriously heavy duty looking fencing - these signs say keep out and they mean it! I for one don't fancy a closer inspection and I'm glad these fences are Lucy-proof!

DSCF0031.JPG
I think I'll skip the optional potholing activity!

DSCF0034.JPG
A mineshaft, Tyndrum and Ben Challum


Eventually the scree and boulder slope comes to an end and gives way to easier grassy slopes which soon ease off and give views across the top to the Ben Lui group of Munros.

DSCF0035.JPG
Hello old friends! - Dubhcraig and Oss


From here it is a pleasant walk up onto the 590 metre summit of Sron nan Colan, where the evening's two objectives can be clearly eyed for the first time. The Corbett really looks like it might take some doing tonight and I begin to wonder whether my recent Corbett-free run might yet last a bit longer.

DSCF0036.JPG
The two objectives from Sron nan Colan

DSCF0037.JPG
Oss and Lui (and Lucy)


Anyway, quickly onwards around the furthest point of the forestry and onto the very obvious protruding rocky spine that runs all the way up the back of Meall Odhar. The conditions now are absolutely perfect and the light is stunning - the whole feel of the evening kind of reminds me of last September and my evening walk up onto the neighbouring Fiarach. Only that evening I was going to be camping out on top - if only I was doing the same tonight!

DSCF0040.JPG
Meall Odhar from the extremity of the forestry

DSCF0041.JPG
Back to Sron nan Colan and the Crianlarich Munros in the far distance

DSCF0042.JPG
Up the rocky spine

DSCF0044.JPG
Across Glen Lochy - Creag Buidhe in the foreground

DSCF0045.JPG
Back down the spine to a distant Beinn Dorain

DSCF0046.JPG
Dubhcraig and Oss on final approach to summit of Meall Odhar


The summit cairn of Meall Odhar is, as the Grahams book points out, remarkably large and significant for a fairly insignificant hill. But as it also points out, the real attraction and feature of this hill, as with many Grahams (Fiarach, Meall a' Mhuic and Cnap Cruinn being another three classic cases in point that I have experienced in the last 18 months), is it's location nestling amongst other bigger, more illustrious hills, and providing a different and unique vantage point for them.

DSCF0047.JPG
Lui and Chuirn from Meall Odhar

DSCF0050.JPG
North across Glen Lochy

DSCF0052.JPG
The Crianlarich Munros with Fiarach in the middleground


Now I have a decision to make. Quit now and head down through a firebreak onto the track by the River Cononish and back to the car, or continue with the original plan and go for the Corbett as well. What the hell - might as well go for it. If I head back now I'll just go home and drink beer. Might as well do the Corbett. Then go home and drink beer.

DSCF0053.JPG
Beinn Chuirn from the east on the descent off Meall Odhar


From the descent west off Meall Odhar, Beinn Chuirn looks like a formidable beast of a mountain, but it actually turned out to be a lot less problematic than it appeared. The hardest part was actually getting to it! There is a (clearly very new) deer fence that looks bullet-proof as well as deer-proof in the bealach between the two hills. Keen to observe the countryside code if at all possible and use a gate/stile e.t.c., I walk along the fence first in one direction then the other, but there is no sign of the walker having been given any thought by the builders of this particular structure. Nothing else for it then but to clamber over. There's no way that I'm going to be able to launch Lucy over this one though. Fortunately I find a spot where there is a bit of a gap at the bottom, albeit one that is filled with bog water. Poor Lucy is all but submerged as she squeezes under - she could have used a mask and snorkel for this one.

I settle on a route up the rocky spur to the right side of the huge coire on this side of the hill, stopping half way up for dinner (a petrol station sandwich and packet of cheese and onion).

DSCF0056.JPG
Dinner time with a view of Meall Odhar descent route


Remarkably soon and with a minimum of fuss I emerge near the small lochan to the north west of the summit before climbing around the rim of the coire and up to the summit cairn to claim my first Corbett since the snowy days of January.

DSCF0060.JPG
Lochan near summit with views west to Loch Awe

DSCF0061.JPG
Looking down Coire Saobhaidhe

DSCF0062.JPG
Summit view west


After a couple of quick snaps I head south east past the edge of the vicious looking gully (you'd want to be careful coming off here in the clag!) and scope out a manageable line of descent down the side of the Eas Anie waterfall to the huts and clutter of hardware around the mine.

DSCF0067.JPG
Around the lip of the coire with views to Beinn Challum, Ben More and Stob Binnein

DSCF0069.JPG
Down into the glen and the road home


From here it's a straightforward yomp down to the farm at Cononish and along the side of the river, remembering to cut off onto the track through the trees that leads back to the station and not continue on to Dalrigh!

DSCF0072.JPG
Beinn Chuirn from just beyond Cononish - descent route just to the right of Eas Anie waterfall


I have to admit to being a bit worried that I would suffer a slow and painful death by midgification in the trees but it was surprisingly free of the little buggers.


our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby Jock McJock » Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:35 pm

Nice report Graeme. Been planning soe wee wild camps, bagging munros and Corbetts etc in this area so always helpful to see reports and pics like this. Cheers :D
Jock McJock
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 450
Munros:173   Corbetts:5
Fionas:2   
Sub 2000:1   
Joined: Feb 5, 2010
Location: Dumbarton

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby ChrisW » Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:12 am

Great report Graeme, this is what I call making the most of the time available - have done a bit of research for you and found these for Lucy ......

Image
User avatar
ChrisW
Rambler
 
Posts: 4941
Munros:18   Corbetts:5
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:6   
Joined: Jan 25, 2011
Location: Cochrane- Alberta - Canada

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby Graeme D » Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:45 am

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby kevsbald » Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:24 am

Good effort that man! It'll be the big boys a week on Friday!
User avatar
kevsbald
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2249
Munros:273   Corbetts:134
Fionas:82   Donalds:53
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:17
Wainwrights:29   
Joined: Jan 15, 2009
Location: Glasgow

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby malky_c » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:05 am

Nice evening out :)
I love a good after-work walk if I can squeeze it in. This one looks pretty substantial though!

Good info too. I have a full round of the Cononish (Meall Odhar round to Fiarach) in my sights as soon as I get the chance, and negotiating the various mines and deer fences will be pretty significant to its success I think 8)
User avatar
malky_c
 
Posts: 6342
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:80+37
Sub 2000:315   Hewitts:281
Wainwrights:140   Islands:39
Joined: Nov 22, 2009
Location: Glasgow/Inverness

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby rockhopper » Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:58 pm

Nice on Graeme - that's a good sized walk to be able to fit in in an evening :D I see the brashers are being put to good use 8)
User avatar
rockhopper
 
Posts: 7446
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:136   Donalds:89+20
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:20
Joined: May 31, 2009
Location: Glasgow

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby pollyh33 » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:26 pm

Great stuff Graeme.One of the advantages of living in Perth I suppose, is having the hills so close at hand. Were you not even tempted a wee bit to have a closer look down the mine-shaft?? :shock:
User avatar
pollyh33
Walker
 
Posts: 2577
Munros:282   Corbetts:18
Fionas:5   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:1   
Joined: Mar 30, 2011
Location: Rutherglen

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby Johnny Corbett » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:48 pm

Interesting route to the one i took when i did these 2, thats the joy of mixing hills getting to pick out a route I noticed the lack of stiles/gates on the deer fence as well. Maybe they didn't expect anyone to combine these 2 when they put the fence up :D
User avatar
Johnny Corbett
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2983
Munros:25   Corbetts:214
Fionas:168   Donalds:74
Sub 2000:302   Hewitts:1
Islands:14
Joined: May 14, 2010
Location: Livingston

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby gammy leg walker » Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:24 pm

Another fine report there G,you seam to have struck lucky with the weather also.Any sign of when you may start back on your muro round,or is that wee bundle of joy still keeping you close to home
User avatar
gammy leg walker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 3464
Munros:282   Corbetts:7
Fionas:4   Donalds:3+0
Sub 2000:2   
Islands:7
Joined: Jan 30, 2010
Location: Central Region
Walk wish-list

Re: Opportunity Knocks: An evening on Meall Odhar & Beinn Chuirn

Postby Graeme D » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:07 pm

rockhopper wrote: I see the brashers are being put to good use


Aye, you've gotta use 'em or lose 'em rockhopper!

pollyh33 wrote:Were you not even tempted a wee bit to have a closer look down the mine-shaft??


Errr, in a word, no! :lol:

Johnny Corbett wrote:I noticed the lack of stiles/gates on the deer fence as well. Maybe they didn't expect anyone to combine these 2 when they put the fence up


Fair enough, it's no Tourist Track up the Ben but it's an obvious route between two listed hills that a lot of people will try to combine. A little bit of joined-up thinking and planning wouldn't have gone amiss. :o

gammy leg walker wrote:Any sign of when you may start back on your muro round,or is that wee bundle of joy still keeping you close to home


I still hope to finish before I pop my clogs....or maybe even before I retire. Got a couple lined up next week with Kev and hopefully I'll get allowed a bit of slack over the summer holidays, but it'll not be like last year......sigh!!!!!! Still, like you say gammy, the wee bundle of joy will make up for it. :D
User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

12 people think this report is great.
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: Glasgow Wanderer 89, hamill67, kiltedbiggles, rmse047071, Steve B and 88 guests