walkhighlands

A day of firsts - bike and hike on Carn a'Chlamain

Route: Càrn a'Chlamain

Munros: Càrn a' Chlamain

Date walked: 19/03/2016

Time taken: 5.5 hours

Distance: 26km

Ascent: 945m

After four weeks of spending far too much time in the office I was itching for some mountains and fresh air. As I'm not a confident driver, and the chauffeur (hubby) was studying for an exam all weekend, I called ScotRail to make a cycle reservation. Unfortunately there was no availability, so I had to psyche myself up for the drive up the A9 to Blair Atholl...

In the end the drive turned out to be quite enjoyable, especially once the mountains opened up around Dunkeld, and I had no problems getting a space in the surprisingly large car park at Glen Tilt. Unloaded the bike and started out up the Glen.

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Track down Glen Tilt


Now, I have to say, I previously wasn't sure about using a bike for Munros. I can see why the purists want to walk every step, but today I really just wanted to save time. I wasn't far down the Glen at all before I became completely convinced that biking is as legit as walking. It was much harder work than I expected and I did get off to push a few times. Although it was definitely faster it certainly required just as much effort as walking, if not more. The track was perfectly cycleable, although somewhat bumpy, and my pothole avoidance training courtesy of Edinburgh council's inability to maintain the roads was put to good use.

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Glen Tilt


The Glen was beautiful, and I was very excited to see a red squirrel shortly after starting out, although sadly didn't get a photo. It was gloriously sunny and there was not a cloud in the sky. Apart from the sound of the river and my bike on the track there was blissful silence. It took me just under an hour to cycle to the foot of Carn a'Chlamain and by the time I arrived it felt like summer. I was seriously tempted to sunbathe rather than drag myself up the hill!

The climb was very straightforward, following a good track all the way to the top. The patches of snow started around 700m, but they were fairly small, soft and easily avoidable.

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Patches of snow


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Carn a'Chlamain


It took less than two hours to get to the top, and the views were magnificent. It looked like there was a lot more snow on a number of the surrounding hills.

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View from the summit


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View to Beinn a'Ghlo


I spent half an hour sitting on the summit cairn enjoying the wonderful weather and views. Eventually I was joined by another walker who was Corbett bagging, and had taken the opportunity to bag this, the 200th Munro... of his 4th round! What an effort! I was celebrating my 50th Munro, but that paled in comparison!

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Munro 50!


Eventually I had to drag myself away and back down the hill. It was a fairly quick descent and I was soon back at the bike.

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Back at the bike


I'd been very aware on the way up the Glen that every downhill would be an uphill on the way home. However, the ride back was easier than I'd expected, and it was nice to do a bit freewheeling at the end of the day! So, first time driving myself out of Edinburgh, first bike and hike and first solo Munro, with the best weather I've had up a mountain for a very long time - a pretty ideal Saturday :D

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The only local residents who would pose for a photo!

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Comments: 2



Carn an Tuirc, Tolmount, Tom Buidhe and Cairn of Claise

Attachment(s) Munros: Cairn of Claise, Càrn an Tuirc, Tolmount, Tom Buidhe
Date walked: 23/05/2015
Distance: 18.4km
Ascent: 886m
Views: 8189


They say it's summer... - the Strathfarrar Four

Attachment(s) Munros: Càrn nan Gobhar (Strathfarrar), Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais, Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill, Sgùrr na Ruaidhe
Date walked: 02/05/2015
Distance: 19km
Ascent: 1567m
Comments: 7
Views: 5635

theduckoutofwater


Activity: Mountain Walker

Munros: 66
Fionas: 1
Wainwrights: 2
Hewitts: 17
Sub 2000: 7
Islands: 6



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Statistics

2016

Trips: 1
Distance: 26 km
Ascent: 945m
Munros: 1

2015

Trips: 2
Distance: 37.4 km
Ascent: 2453m
Munros: 8


Joined: May 05, 2015
Last visited: Feb 03, 2022
Total posts: 7 | Search posts