Stob an Aonaich Mhoir

Weeks and weeks of lockdown. We hadn't seen our parents at Christmas as it would have been folly to spend time with them when Covid was rife. We had abided by the rules but having only had 2 days off in 10 weeks since the start of the year, I was beginning to lose the plot. I decided I would take a day off and fuel the car up to full, before leaving early and avoiding any traffic. I drove the 2.5 hours along past Kinloch Rannoch and parked in the car park, just beside the power station. Not a soul around. I got the MTB out of the car, and began the cycle round to the start of the Land Rover track that would take me to the high point of the road down to the lodge. The track is excellent and while some of the road was steep in places, it took me just over an hour to get to the 655m point, where plenty of snow was lying on the hills. I left the bike just off the road, and began the last wee ascent up to the summit. Although the views were lovely to the point where I left the bike, the same could not be said for the summit.

I romped back to the bike, had some nourishment; pumped up the tyres and began the 14.5km descent back to the car - I fair flew down the road and at one point hit 35 mph. A LOT OF FUN. Views across Rannoch Moor were lovely and back down at the loch, I enjoyed the stillness and placid aspect. It was only 1100 and I was home by 1400, not having seen or encountered a soul. This Corbett deserves the bike approach and I'll be using the bike much more in future trips for hills.

 

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.

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.