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It was time to hook up with my good friend Woodsy for some Northern hill bashing this wekend
Woodsy will be doing the New York marathon this year so i persuaded him that 2 big walks over 25k each would enhance his running prowess
We decided to hit the Munros SW and N of Loch Laggan.
Saturday we would tackle the 3 Munros SW of Loch Laggan - Ardverikie Munros
Sunday would leave the 5 Munros North of Loch laggan which form the Creag Meagaidh Circuit.
Picked Woodsy up Saturday Morning 6am sharp and started our mini adventure.....headed up the A9 with Pantha Du Prince blasting from the stereo, Woodsy was still in a coma and didnt appreciate some German Minimal Techno
Parked at Moy and good to go at 9.10am.
The first and last 4k of this walk can be cycled on a very good path, but we would be walking it all.
Cross the bridge and be razzle dazzled by the view West down the river spean and mountains of Lochaber
Follow the track and remember to turn and check out that view
The 4k walk is very pleasant with the views in all directions stunning.
I took time out to capture this....
A flower in Scotland
Busy Bees
After an hour you reach the stunning Lochan na h-Earba
From here cross a small bridge and head up the track for 1k before striking South.
Head up the south face of Coire Mor a Chlachair to a plateau then SW 300m and finally West 300m.
The pull up this face and plateau is very rocky, so be careful.....
You have successfully reached Munro No 1 Beinn a Chlachair.
Summit with views to Geal Charn & Creag Pitridh
View west
I had reached the summit 15 minutes before Woodsy and met the lovely Mags, who turns out to be a fellow walker who uses these sites and a member of Paisley Hillwalking Club. You know Doogz....who dosnt i reply
We would meet Mags at every summit for some chat. She sure could motor up them hills, she keeps good company
Off again across the rocky plateau and a 5k hike NE to Geal Charn
The only difficulty was getting to Bealach Leamhain. We traversed down the West pathless face of Coire Pitridh.
In no time at all we had reached the summit
Looking back to Beinn a Chlachair
At this summit we met another fine lady from London who remarkably knew a walking friend of mine
Im beginning to realize us walkers are all connected in some way - insanity
Which brings me to the older gentleman who got the train to Tulloch then cycled to the walk. Did the walk then cycled to Newtonmore to catch a train back to Glasgow
What a guy
After another 30 minute summit break Woodsy and i set off for Munro No 3 Creag Pitridh
Head west 1.5k then 0.5k NW to reach the summit
Summit views over Loch Laggan
From the summit head SE for 1.5k over boggy pathless ground to reach the well defined path.
The walk out is lovely and takes in the beautiful Lochan na h-Earba once again
Woodsy - now changed into trainers for the walk out
The sun was beating down now and the wind was non existent, the wind on the summits was a brisk 25mph and did a great job of keeping the midge at bay, it was now time to relax and enjoy winding down.
Final look up the river spean with the sun glittering over the water.....bliss
Back at the car park 2 fellow walkers introduced themselves and said hello, turns out they also use the sites and recognized me from previous TR. Its a small but wonderful world in hillwalking land
Nice to meet you guys - enjoyed your TR from your day.
After a cream cake each we drove to Newtonmore, we had booked a night in Craigower Lodge.
Dinner would be had in the Glen Hotel. Woodsy was knackered and didnt want to stay out late so we left early after dinner and a pint each....hardcore eh
Luckily we had a room to ourselves....just as well because Woodsy was in some sort of snoring Coma and im sure would have been suffocated if others had to listen to him. Luckily i had industrial strength wax ear plugs, phew
Day 2 - Creag Meagaidh 5 to follow......