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.

Carn Dearg (South) and Luibchonnal bothy

A return to Luibchonnal bothy meant that both Graeme and I were keen to knock off the last Carn Dearg north of Brae Roy Lodge. We initially got muddled on whether we'd take heavy packs on to the hill but eventually decided to head the 5 miles into the bothy, take lunch, then dump the packs. The return walk was just as good as the first occasion though this time we could see the bothy from about 1.5 miles out. The meander did not take us long and we marvelled at this fantastic house in the middle of nowhere.

I had a buttery as I was famished and we left the beer too cool. Hopefully nobody would come in while we were off on the hill. We left the path and began the bog hop over to Carn Dearg. I cannot say it was the most amazing hill ever, given that cloud was right in and we did our best to keep going to the top. At one point, I even thought about chucking it, and just heading back to drink beer beside the fire. I must have gone soft since my 2 months down in London. We forged on and were rewarded with amazing views of the summit cairn and little else. This was my 115th Corbett - instantly unforgettable and one I won't repeat.

We began the tramp back to the bothy to dry out and soak up the beers simultaneously. This time, we got the fire spot on and it was a fine wee night catching up over a few ales with some great bothy TV. Really good to just get back to what we used to do. No wifi, no phones. Socialising, beer, food and warmth. Don't need much more.

An Ruadh-Stac

For my trip up this hill, I combined it with the Munro Maol-Chean Dearg. On this occasion, the Corbett was the winner. Outstanding setting:
http://munromadness.blogspot.com/2019/06/maol-chean-dearg.html

Carn Dearg & Glenbuck bothy

In preparation for a very busy week at work, I had the night off from child-rearing duties and so headed for the hills. I was away by 1445 and got up to Invergarry for dinner at 1730, where I enjoyed a lovely feed before the short drive to Bridge of Oich. From here, I headed over the Caledonian canal and then past the farm before the almighty steep path up overlooking Glen Buck. Ben Tee looked lovely in the evening light.

Once up on to the ridge, it was a very easy meander along the landcover track, all the way to the bothy. I dropped my pack and then immediately set off for Carn Dearg, which was approximately 2 miles SE. Getting to the hill wasn't easy as there were many bogs and hags to contend with. However, at 2100, I eventually summited after some fine sunbursts through the clouds across to the West. The flag moved in temporarily so I didn't hang about and began the descent quickly. I was back at the bothy for 2140, whereupon I set up a fire, opened a beer, and relaxed until 2330. All on my own. A fine way to spend an evening with another Corbett/bothy experience in the bag.

A Chaornich

With the bombshell of being diagnosed with high blood pressure and immediately placed on to an anti-hypertensive, I needed a hill day to either chill out or die. I was initially going to head North to the Munros but this would necessitate a 4-hour drive either way and a 6-hour trek - a long day and I was conscious of the exertion. Thus, I sped North on the A9 and decided on this 25km round trip with approx. 700m ascent. It had been 4.5 years since I'd been down here, when Graeme and I did An Dun on my 40th - bit of a cold and miserable day but once the summit had been in the bag, we decided to exit. I was going light and did the occasional run with walking, which meant I reached Sronphadruig lodge after an hour. Once over the lip of the loch, it was a lovely if cold meander along the Gaick pass to the end of the loch.

I dipped my toes in the river outlet and nipped across the end of the loch. Once across, the walking poles were out and it was a steep old pad up the right of the gully. The views were just getting better and better.

Eventually, I reached the plateau and the view down Loch an Duin were absolutely immense. Although my heart rate hit 170 bpm, I felt comfortable and began the last km over towards the summit.

The summit cairn was a tiddler but the feeling of isolation and being in the wild was supreme - I was exactly 8 miles from the A9 but it felt like another world. Bliss. It was very cold at the top, despite the sunshine and I made my way back down towards the lodge, and eventual walk back out. This was Corbett 112 so I'm into the 2nd half! I ate virtually nothing on this walk/run - burning fat really is possible - a bag of crisps and a Pacer bar with about a litre of water. The wonders of the human body - even one that is blighted!

Meall a Phubuil and Glen Sulaig bothy

The annual bothy tradition of meeting up with Graeme had been pushed back to January for its first time in its history. We had therefore piled on significant weight fattening up over the festive period. We met up at Fassfern and got the heavy packs on. Our plan was to get to the bothy, drop off the packs and then take in Meall a Phubuil before a descent for dinner. As it was, we fair piled along the 5km route to the bothy and caught up on affairs since May, a driech day up on Stronend. In the time since seeing Graeme, his dog Lucy had passed away and we remembered great days with Lucy on the Munros. When we got to the bothy, the fire was still warm and the previous occupants had obviously had a good fire going. We dumped the coal, decanted the beer and spread the mats/bags out. I was impressed with the bothy, a small room with the fire but beautifully located between a Corbett and 3 Grahams. Glen Loy has a lonely feel to it but one that also has a peaceful ambience too.

Our climb was straight up the South face, just off the Land Rover track. We were up on the summit within 45 minutes of leaving the bothy and although cold, there was no snow whatsoever. In fact, I remarked that it was a very 'brown' appearance all round. Gaor Bheinn was trying to poke out through the clag but the behemoth of a hill kept its cap on over both days.

Conscious of the crags to the West of the summit, we headed down off the North side of the hill - it was steep and required care until we eventually headed back round to the bealach between the Corbett and Meall Onfaidh. From there, it was an easy descent back to the bothy - I hadn't taken enough food through the day and began to sweat - I think I was having a hypoglycaemic episode. I was glad to get to the bothy and began to stuff food down my mouth. I opened a can of 'Mind the Gap from Fallen and was instantly satiated. This was followed by more beer including Chew Chew and Wanganui. We enjoyed a fine night in the bothy watching 'tv', eating good food and chewing the fat. Lights out at 10pm and a good night's sleep before our walk out over the Grahams to the car. This Corbett was my 111th, a halfway to the round.

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.