Sgurr na Feartaig & Beinn Tharsuinn

Decided to head North to do these Corbetts in addition to the 3 Munros, if conditions permitted. They did not. Having left Achnasheen and driven down the road to excellent visibility and 17 degree C, about a mile along the land rover track, I realised that the wind had picked up with consequent tumbling of temperature. By the time I had my way up on to the Pollan Duibhe, Sgurr Choinnich and partner were covered in black cloud and the wind had really begun to pick up. I could see a small figure descending quickly off Sgurr na Feartaig and I spied the path wending its way up. I crossed the fantastic little bridge beside the tree and met a wee lad, who was waiting for his mum. He posed for a snap.

The ascent up on the first objective was excellent and made for quick progress though by 600m, the wind was pretty ferocious. I met his mum at this point who was a little worried but I reassured her he was fine. The immediate area before the summit of Sgurr na Feartaig offers tremendous views over to Ceannachain, a Munro that was demoted to a Corbett. Recently, I had done another Corbett without doing anything; Cnoc Coinnich having been promoted from Graham to Corbett status. This point beside the large lochain would be an excellent point for a camp. I hit the large summit cairn and stopped to assess the descent down to the bealach bhearnais, with great views over to the Munro (still covered in ominous cloud) and Beinn Tharsuinn.

I descended to the bealach and began the climb to an area just short of the ascent on to Tharsuinn. Weather permitting, I'd set up camp here for the approach to the Munros. It took me some time to erect the tent due to the wind conditions. Having secured the tent, I began the ascent up on the Tharsuinn but the clag and dropped and it was just a case of checking the map over the various undulations, before the unusual summit area - a nice crevasse, which would be desperate in Winter and the summit area that looked like it had been eroded away to the East. I sent texts to my wife and Darren (who i intended to meet later that weekend). The descent was uneventful and I was glad to see my tent was in once piece. I got in, de-cloaked and tucked into a lovely focaccia with some fluids. Despite my intentions however, this spot would not do as the tent caved in knocking me flat. Desperate measures. I would pack up, descend to the Pollan Duibhe and re-consider.

At this point, I made a decision to return home proper. I had been having doubts about the trip and what with various home and work issues, decided I would be better at home resolving these than sitting in a tent with no reception and no way to hear from Emma. The walk back out saw me reach the car at 2135, barely without use of head torch. I got in the car and drove the long road home arriving at 0155. Good to get these two Corbetts done in this remote area but I have unfinished Munro business here, which can wait for better times.

Carn Mor from the Lecht

Originally I had planned to combine this with Carn Ealasaid but the furiously hot conditions meant that a solo was in the offing. Furthermore, I arrived at the Lecht at 1300, just as conditions were hitting 24C.  I hadn't really researched the area from the Lecht over to Carn Mor but presumed it was a fairly straightforward plod past the paraphernalia. I couldn't have been more wrong. The summit of Meikle Corr Riabhach is obviously a perfect breeding ground for black-headed seagulls and they fair bombarded me as I walked among their newly hatched young. Bundles of feathery cuteness were plentiful and well-camouflaged. I almost trod on one but avoided it last second. The bog factor soon came into play and from here over to Carn Liath, it was a fair old bog-hop. That said, the hot weather had dried out most of them so it was just a case of route-finding. Within 90 minutes, I was at the remote summit of Carn Mor, with an unusual silhouetted trig point - almost floating in appearance. I topped up the factor 30, re-hydrated and began the reverse bog-trot. I was quite fresh after the Milngavie Trail Race the day before and was back at the car by 1545, a 2 hour 45 minute trek. The number of hares on this trip was almost into the hundred so plenty of wildlife up here.

Caisteal Abhail

..the last Corbett on Arran and I woke up to see that there had been quite a bit of snow on the top of Goatfell. Eek. Emma dropped me round at the parking area a few miles North of Sannox.
I had decided to go up via the North ridge and as I emerged from the forestry, the prize shined bright. The close-up of the Witch's step showed that it shouldn't be messed with, especially with fresh snow and sub-zero temperatures.

The path was excellent and made for quick and assured progress. I crossed over the burn and began the ascent up on to the North ridge. From here, the views really opened up over to Suidhe Feargas and beyond.

Mullach Buidhe came into view too (Beinn Bharrain), which I had done a few years ago. It looked very pretty with its own snow.

However, once up and past the main tors, the view across Glen Rose to Cir Mhor and beyond was truly stunning. The climb up on to the summit tor was straightforward and I'm not sure that the views can be matched for the splendour or grand nature of rock. It was quite special.

I decided to head down and around Coire Abhail, before leaving the ridge to Cir Mhor and then down into Glen Sannox. Once on sure ground, it was a beautiful run back out of the glen and round to Corrie, where I met my wife and daughter. A perfect day.

Sgurr an Airgid

A friendship that has endured for over 37 years. I first met Alex when I was 4, in his parent's VW camper van. Consequently, the trip North saw us re-casting our minds back to experiences we hadn't spoken of in years. As parents, there was now a chance to contextualise our upbringing. Unfortunately, the weather had been great until the Thursday but on our journey on the Saturday, it was overcast though Alex did get some views the next day. I had decided on this Corbett as it was close the Kintail hotel, would be straightforward enough and there was a good track. Until 500m, we did get some decent views over to Beinn Fhada but once on to the plateau, we headed into clag. The snow kept it interesting though and there were some airy drops to the North. One could sense the barren expanse to the North of the hill, with tiny lochains shining through some of the cloud cover.

After 2 hr 20, we headed up to the fractured trig point, with a piece of wid sticking out. A couple of shots, then a wee Macallan's just below the summit, in the lee of a large boulder. Our return was quick and we got a bit of a soaking but once we'd showered and had a fantastic steak pie all that remained was to have a few beers and for me to thrash Alex at pool. Some things will never change! Slainte!

Meall na Fearna

Exquisite. Decided to start my Corbett collection with Meall na Fearna this year. It had been at least 10 years since I had been up Ben Vorlich so the wee road along Loch Earn rang no bells. Before then though, I opted for the wee Veggie breakfast in Mhor 84 - a great feed before this trek. As I parked just off the loch shore, I spied a wee avian friend on a rock and tested the new camera out. Ben Vorlich looked stunning in the Winter sun, with its white claes on. I did remember how good the path was up but rather than continue on towards Vorlich, I deviated down to the hill path, which runs between Fearna and Vorlich. As the path became boggier, I headed for the bealach between Fearna and Beinn Domhnuill. The snow was beginning to firm up, which made for much easier going. Once on the flattish aspect between the latter two hills, my objective came into view. However, Vorlich dominated proceedings and from this angle, it was a stunning Munro.

I trekked across and in between the boggy islands, which thankfully was easy to cross at this time of year and now that we had some freezing conditions. The final ascent on to the summit was done within a couple of hours and I was the blasted by a freezing wind. The view across to Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin was sensational. I took tea and sandwiches just below the minor cairn and re-traced my footsteps, while watching someone descending off the Eastern ridge. I was back at the car within 4 hours and have to say this experience was in the top ten, with conditions perfect and the solitude just what I needed.