Sgurr Ghiubhsachain

I had driven North with the intention of doing this hill, possibly combined with the Corbett at the back of the coire. This would be a long day but starting from Callop, Sgurr Ghiubhsaichain would be a long enough trip anyway. Almost 20km, as it turned out. Although I had the larger pack, I was wearing my hill approach trainers - so I'd run where I could. I returned up the glen, the way I had been previously when I wild camped up on Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn - that seemed like a long time ago but it was probably a couple of years. It was a quick trip up and along the glen until it started to drop down again. At this point, I began the hard work up on to the shoulder between the two aforementioned Corbetts. Once up on to the ridge, my target came into view. I really love Ardgour, Morvern and Moidart. A sense of wilderness out here. The ascent up to the summit was steep and the view out to the seaboard and the loch was outstanding. I could even see Ben Nevis in the distance, clear as a bell. I picked my way carefully back down the ridge, and arrived at the Geussachan house at the loch. From here, I ran/walked the rest of the way back round to the car park at Callop. All in all, 4 hours was good going, especially with 1000m ascent in there. A classic trip.

Glas Bheinn (Kylesku)

This was the two days I had most been looking forward to since the relaxation of lockdown. I had booked the Kylesku hotel for a couple of nights and would attempt both this Corbett then a couple of Munros in the Cuillins should the weather hold out. These two days will live long in my memory for all the right reasons. I left just before 0900 and waved Martha and Emma off - Martha had just gone back to school, was enjoying it and my wife was busy with a commission. I enjoyed the long drive North and eventually got to a warm NW Highlands for 1400. The lay-by for the start of this hill was full so I drove on another 100m and parked in tight to the road. From here, it was Factor 50 on and I headed off on the path, before encountering a young lady over from Austria, with her dog Tia. Really nice to chat but I had a hill to do! Quinag looked good with its head just in the clouds, as was Glas Bheinn initially. I made for the steep incline and a path of sorts wend its way into the gully. I met a family coming down who said they didn't get a view but did meet plenty of midges! I got to the summit in an hour and the views were splendid - right enough the midges were prevalent even at sub-800m. I decided to contour round and down past the loch to make a route of it. This was a most pleasant meander back to the car and I got back to the car for 1630. From here, it was a 10-minute drive to the hotel where I checked in, showered and had a lovely meal before an early night - due to the long 3.5 hour drive that I'd have to get to Glen Brittle for 0830. Another cracking wee Corbett.

 

Sguman Coinntich & Faochaig

Coronavirus pandemic. On March 23rd, the UK was placed into national lockdown and while some idiots had gone into the hills early, I had restrained myself. Maintaining fitness by running 5 miles a day in June, I was going to be physically ready for the hills once we got the go-ahead from Nicola. As an infectious disease epidemiologist, it had been very odd to watch events unfold through either MSM or on social media. I knew that there would be many folks streaming North for hills so I decided to head from home early on a Friday at 0830. Driving through Tyndrum was an odd experience - practically nobody about in the middle of July. Fort William was much the same and heading past Invergarry, the roads were so quiet. It was all very odd. I eventually arrived at Killilan for 1230.

I had never been to this part of the world before and it was both pretty and quiet. Sguman Coinntich was the the obvious hill and I made for the path that would run in between it and Ben Killilan. The weather was a mix and it was to be like this all day; sunshine, cloud and rain. I headed up to the bealach, enjoying the views back to the loch but rather than head on to the Corbett proper, I thought I'd make for the bealach proper - this was a mistake as the crags were severe enough that I'd not fancy my chances. I thus, had to drop down into the coire at the back of the hill and re-ascent on to the shoulder of Sguman Coinntich. Here, I left my bag and romped the last kilometre to the summit trig point. There was a great view down to the loch but a fleeting one, as the cloud and rain moved in once more. I pinged over to get my rucksack, had some food and began the meander over to Faochaig.

There was a great view over to Carnan Cruithneachd, with the larger hills behind it. This was a place of real remoteness and I revelled in the solitude. Again, as I made for the final objective of the day, the cloud and rain came in. I dropped the rucksack at a large boulder and made for the summit cairn. No view, a quick message to my wife as to where I'd camp for the evening, then I made the long and unrelenting walk back down into Glen Elchaig, where I came upon Iron Lodge. I had a look at round but it was being decomposed from the inside out. I found a hidden flat piece of land beside a large waterfall, had some dinner and a beer/dram before getting my head down. I slept fitfully for several hours before packing up and heading out at 0200. I got back to the car at 0415 after a couple of frights with deer jumping out on me. It had been a fabulous re-emergence back into the way of the hills. I felt completely rejuvenated, as if I'd sloughed off my old skin.