free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Following a good day at the top of Loch Awe yesterday and fuelled by a good dinner in fort William and an early night I was ready for a longer day.
Parked up at the layby by the bridge, some people were off already, and was off at 09:15.
Walking with intent I walked straight past the first turn through the gate and wandered past the cottage.. Doh!!That does not bode well for the day.
Anyway I quickly corrected my mistake and got chased by an irate spaniel for my troubles to boot.
A brisk walk followed along the track with an intense interest in the correct turns and arrived at Lochan na h-Earba. I had seen the pictures on this site but the place is glorious, a place for a wild swim I think for some point in the future. Today however there were some Munros to do.
I continued up along the stalkers path and decided to get level with the Allt that runs down the slope up to the top of the Coire Mor a' Chlachair as I would gain height on a decent path before heading across the peat and heather.
As it turned out it was so dry everywhere that it did not matter so much but the vlevel walk before the slope saved a bit of energy I think.
A straightforward climb up and then onto the rocky rim of the Coire and then the summit.
There were great views all around and Munro 2 and 3 could be clearly seen. Creag Pitridh looked very small compared to where I was stood and with Gael Charn next to it.
A compeed was applied to an embryonic blister and some fuel taken on board before heading along the ridge towards Gael Charn.
I did not find and kind of path at the end of the ridge and an easy scramble down the end had me at the bealach in no time.
An easier than expected ascent of Gael Charn followed with the cairn appearing in the distance looking a little odd in the landscape.
On arrival the breeze had picked up so sat in the lee of the cairn and had my usual brew and food whilst admiring the world around me. It is days, and weekends, like this that make up for the times when you are pleased to see further than 30 metres.
Refreshed to a degree I then heading directly to the bealach between here and Creag Pitridh and an easy pull on to the top. I was still surprised at this being a Munro.
An easy descent down the slopes to the stalkers path, joining it below where I had left it earlier in the day.
Refreshment was had by sticking my head under a small waterfall before setting off back down to the start. I have to admit that the walk dragged a bit at this point. I was jolted back to life when some loony came running down the track behind me, he had been out for hours and had even been fishing (small collapsible rod in rucksack) in the lochan at the top, after a chat he was off again and I was left wandering if I could do the same. No was the answer.
The drive back to Glasgow was very slow being very busy at the bottom end of Loch Lomond. The memories of 2 great days in the hills were re-lived and helped pass the time.