Sannox, Coire na Oighe, Mullach Buidhe, North Goat Fell, Goa
Date walked: 04/04/2012
Time taken: 6 hours
Distance: 11.6km
Ascent: 985m
Boarded the 324 Bus from the Campsite at Lochranza at disembarqued at Sannox, about 13km north of Brodick to start the walk up towards the Devil's Punchbowl (Coire na Ciche). Headed up the road between a post box and white Glen Cottage, signposted 'Glen Sannox'. After passing through a kissing gate and following the track as it passes a walled cemetery on the left., the path soon became unsurfaced. The path then swung right passing through another gate where a tall white navigation mast ahead was visible.
As the path rose gradually curving left, dramatic views of the rugged Caisteal Abhail offered a dramatic backdrop. On reaching the beginning of a line of beech trees, we carried on into the glen past ruined mine workings. The easier route toward the saddle could be here have been taken by taking the path on the right descending to a footbridge across Sannox Burn. When the path reached the Allt a' Chapuill burn, we could make out the feint narrow path on the left bank which was overgrown. Climbing steeply, it wound past mossy boulders and twisted trees adjacent to the tumbling burn. Eventually the top of the deep gorge on the right was reached where we were able to cross and take a left fork over moist open ground to reach the Allt a' Chapuill. , and follow it uphill. The path remains obvious, but often quite boggy and tougher going as the gradient increases and rocky outcrops become more prevalent. There were fantastic views of the Firth of Clyde as we ascended to the Devils Punchbowl, and views of the Punchbowl and challenging terrain made us realize there was plenty of excitement in store. A cool head for heights was required when scrambling on the exposed rocks to the summit of Coire na Ciche, and the views across to the Cir Mhor ridge became increasingly dramatic. From the summit of Coire na Cice, we climbed to the next peak of Mullach Buidhe and on to North Goatfell with a good path over high ground. Continuing up the Stacach ridge, running over and around a series of tors and buttresses that make up this section, the very top of Goatfell was reached, Arran's highest peak. Views from the summit extended towards Dumfries and even Skiddaw is visible, though I am not sure we could make it out. However, we could see the Irish Coast, the Paps of Jura and good views across the Trossachs and the Perthshire mountains. From the summit, we took a craggy descending path to the ridge between Meall Breac and Goatfell. Had good views of Brodick harbour and into Glen Rosa as we descended over heather moorland to eventually reach the woodlands. A gentle walk through Brodick Country Park brought us down to the gates to the Castle and the Cladach Visitor Centre where we boarded the bus to return to our campsite at Lochranza.
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Comments: 1
Carn Mor Dearg Traverse on Ben Nevis
Munros: Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr DeargDate walked: 09/08/2011
Distance: 14.9km
Ascent: 1567m
Views: 3674
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Jezzer_60
- Activity: Munro compleatist
- Pub: Duke William
- Mountain: Ben Nevis
- Place: Glencoe
- Gear: Cagoul
- Member: Bury Mountaineering Club, British Trust for Conversation Volunteers,
- Ideal day out: Epic ridge-walk
- Munros: 25
- Corbetts: 7
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- Trips: 1
- Distance: 11.6 km
- Ascent: 985m
- Trips: 1
- Distance: 14.9 km
- Ascent: 1567m
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- Joined: May 03, 2012
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