Sgurr an Utha

It had been several weeks since my last walk out - as hectic a November as I can remember. I had booked a night up in the Glenuig inn and was really impressed with this part of the world. Just the view down Loch Eilt was sublime. After a great breakfast, I was parked at the lay-by by 0900 and it was very cold but clear. I began the walk up the excellent Land Rover track and very quickly, height was gained, with lovely views back over to the Corbetts over Loch Eilt. Glas-Charn was visible now and I was surprised how far up the mountain the track went. At 470m, I left the track and began the climb up towards my objective. A herd of deer raced across the mountain, with the snow-line now being encroached upon.

Visibility was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed the yomp across to the ridge between Sgurr an Utha and Fraoch-Bheinn. Eventually, I levelled out on the ridge and the views across to the Glenfinnan Munros and Streap were outstanding. It had been a good few years since I'd been that way with Graeme and now sadly departed Lucy. The wind was pretty chilly at this point and so I made my way to the summit. The coire dropped away sharply and Loch Beoraid stretched West. However, I couldn't believe that I could now also see Rhum, Eigg and Skye. I didn't pause too long at the summit, as it was very cold and I knew I had some tricky negotiations ahead of me down the South-West ridge. It was fabulous just taking my time down the mountain and it didn't feel long before I made it over the burn, and back on to the Land Rover track. As I made my way down, the land owner presumably, drove up in his 4x4 and said he was off to shoot some hinds. What a life. Mine will do nicely thanks.

Meall Ligiche

I had recently celebrated my birthday and was lucky enough to receive some money, which I had managed to invest in a pair of Scarpa boots. At £175, the boots were not cheap but they were damn comfy and a 13 mile route was dispatched with the greatest of ease. It had been a good few years since I'd walked this way while heading up Sgor na-h Ulaidh. None of it really came back to me except the start. I enjoyed the wonder up the glen but it was cold. I was glad for all the gear I had packed but I started to warm up once I began the climb proper. At the bealach between Meall Ligiche and Meall Mor, it was easy to see how combining the Corbett and 2 Grahams would be possible. However, I had told Mrs P I'd only be doing the Corbett and didn't want to take the piss. I also had an important call to field later that afternoon, which could well affect the rest of my career.

The views across to Sgorr a Choise and Beinn a Bheithir were outstanding but it wasn't until I got on to the ridge proper of my intended target that the full grandeur of Glencoe came to the fore. And as for that wind! Brutal. I stood at the summit and drank it all in. Views out to Mull, the craggy face of Sgorr na-h Ulaidh and Fraochaidh away in the distance. A route taking in Sgorr a Choise and that Corbett/Graham combo would be a grand wild camping trip. One for the future. Winter is here though and it could well be here to stay with a vengeance.

Creag Mhor

After I had stayed at mum's, I took a leisurely drive across towards Rothiemurchas. The weather was poor and I considered just relaxing for the day. However, after I had popped into the Hilton for a pee stop, I noticed things were clearing. I relayed the message to home that I would take a run round towards Creag Mhor and see how things went. I packed everything into my 10-litre rucksack as Creag Mhor is said to be a very remote hill. It had been a couple of years but I had run this way with Darren as part of a 50 km circuit going round the Cairngorms. I remembered it being very runnable so started my jog and relished the views en route. From An Lochain Uaine to Bynack Mor, I fair enjoyed the romp up on the ridge before my objective came into view. I had forgotten how much the track dropped into the Lairig an Laoigh but was glad for a bit of shelter as the wind had picked up. I eventually got to a point where I donned my waterproofs and started the climb up the heather slopes. I finally reached the summit tor and took shelter behind it. What a wonderfully isolated place it was. The expanse of view from here was immense. The rain battered around me but I was quite sheltered from it although I knew I still had a reverse 12-km route back to the car. Nothing for it but to head out and down. Things cleared a little once I re-ascended back on to the ridge and then the wonderful track all the way back to the car. I ran this in 3 hours 20 minutes, which wasn't bad for a 24.6 km trip and with 900m of ascent. A fantastic part of the Cairngorms. 

Carn Ealasaid

On the way up to mum's, I fancied a wee run in the hills and I still had a few Corbetts left in the area. Can Ealasaid gets a bad press and has been described as boring but I rarely (if ever) consider a hill sojourn to be boring. I parked at Corgarff castle car park and noticed how windy it was. I was running light and fair motored round to Loinherry, where I bade 'good morning' to a man fixing his roof. I stuck with the landrover track the whole way up and thought I could see a tractor near the summit. The wind was very strong and from the north so I was glad for the layering. The wind was whistling through the tractor, making an eerie whine. I ran further on to the summit and looked across at the tors on distant Beinn Avon. The sun was beautiful but I didn't hand around. I had the unusual phenomenon of running faster uphill, rather than downhill at one point. I eventually decided to head off the nose of the hill and down direct to Loinherry, where I stumbled across this wee slate quarry with two cairns and a wee howff. From here, it was a nice wee run back to the car and all done in 1 hour 35 for an 11km route. Fair enjoyed this wee hill.

Being Resipol hill race

I had never been over to Ardnamurchan before but by booking into the Beinn Resipol hill race, I would have a chance to explore this region - albeit in a race! I enjoyed the drive up and ferry over and once I got out of Ardgour and started the drive up towards Garbh Bheinn, I was already working out when I could come back. The drive to Strontian was wonderful and even the wee single track to Resipol was great. I eventually arrived at the campsite at 1210, with 20 minutes left before registration but I hate hanging about before races anyway. I changed and checked in, then mustered for the pre-race briefing. Probably as relaxed as I've ever felt before a race knowing that the distance was short and the ascent not huge. I had hoped for a time of 1 hour 45 or less but just intended to enjoy myself and take photos where opportunities afforded.

About 150 runners were competing and I started near the back as I'd hopefully catch a few up over the field once things opened up after the forestry, which we were told was narrow. However, what I hadn't banked on was how boggy the early running was. My first 5k up the mountain was done in 50 minutes, which was not bad going but the final kilometre and the 280m ascent to the summit saw me slow down with a 19 minute km. An hour 10 to the top. The initial descent was slippy so I took my time but once out of the coire, I ran just behind a lassie who was at my type of pace (in 2nd photo). When we finally hit tarmac/Land Rover track, things really sped up and as we raced to the finish line, I opened up the legs and pipped her and another lassie to the line. The last 2.2km were done in 11 minutes so I finished strongly. I finished in pretty much 2 hours flat and while I was probably a good bit down the field, I thoroughly enjoyed the race with occasional views. One to come back to from Arundle to get a less boggy experience hopefully. Great post-race food and a cracking t-shirt.

Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn

I had decided that after the last ultra-marathon that I would get back to enjoying the hills again by slowing things down. In that sense, a wild camp late on a Sunday night, high up on a mountain would provide just the ticket and I decided to head somewhere new. I chose Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn, a relatively small Corbett at 775m on the off chance that if the weather was good, I could tag along Sgurr Ghuibhsaichain. I decided to have dinner in the Glenfinnan House Hotel and I have to report that the food was excellent - chilli squid to start followed by a nice breast of chorizo chicken, washed down with an Innis and Gunn half pint. Yummy.

I reluctantly bade farewell to the roaring fire and headed out into the drizzle - a night of discomfort for me! I drove along to Callop and parked up, while adopting the heavy pack - ooft! It had been a while and gone was the 10-litre rucksack with the 40-litre topped up with comfiness and beer. The path was excellent and I made good progress until the steep walk up on to Meall na Cuartaige, a shapely bump that separated me from the bealach before the final climb to my objective. It was raining more persistently now but my new waterproofs were doing the job. At 2000, and at grid reference 903762 (approximately), I found a flat area and got the tent up in minutes. I settled down for the night, called my wife and listened to the elements. Bliss. I read a great quote recently "To be alone on a ship's bridge at night, forging through blackness, is to experience almost at knifepoint the mysteriousness and overwhelmingness of the universe." This felt very similar and I contemplated life while supping on some Chew Chew beer. It was lights out at 2230 and off to sleep.

The next morning, it had settled down and I had a decent view back to my camp, with Meall na Cuartaige towering behind it. The walk up on to the Corbett proper was bliss as I left the pack behind and I decided to leave the 2nd hill for another day, as the cloud cover wouldn't permit a view. Of course, on the return back to the car, blue skies emerged but I was satiated with another great wee camping experience and my 105th Corbett.

Beinn Liath Mhor a Ghiubhais Li

Phew! What a mouthful. After having finally managed to take in the summit of A-Ghlas Bheinn, then the Falls of Glomach, I drove up to Lochcarron and enjoyed some food and a wee half pint of the local ale. From there, I was heading to Inverness for the UHI Exam Board but I had business to attend to on this, one of the longest Corbetts (name-wise). By the time I started out, it was 3.15pm and warm, although there was a welcome breeze. I hadn't quite anticipated how much the earlier run had taken out of me and I could only manage a slow jog along the land rover track from Loch Glascarnoch. Eventually, I reached the end of the fence posts with the enclosed trees and had to start the ascent proper. I really struggled up this and once I lipped out on this first summit, I was discouraged to see a field of hags between me and the last climb up the stony summit.

Eventually, after an hour, I topped out and sat in the rounded summit area for 10 minutes, drinking the last of my water. The views were excellent from the Fannaichs to the Beinn Dearg group; although I was quite fatigued so possibly didn't enjoy them as much as I could have. Rather than trace my steps, I descended directly towards the car, then meandered through the copse of trees and back to the car. A 5 mile round trip that took 1 hour 40, with only 505m of ascent. But, very worthwhile wee Corbett all the same.