Meall Buidhe and Sron a Coire Cnapachain

This was meant to the weekend that Graeme and I finally bagged Beinn Mheadhoin - with a fairly rubbish forecast, we postponed that Munro but have both proclaimed it will be in the bag this year. So, where to next? Finding something between the two of us is getting more difficult but a Corbett combo in Glen Lyon looked like an option. I raced up the road and over the lairig into Glen lyon for 0800, with Graeme soon in tow. I wasn't impressed with the forecast and proffered a number of options including the Graham (Graeme done) and the easy Corbett, Meall nan Meagaich (Graham done). In the interests of non-disappointment, I we decided to go and 'check out' the two hills, which literally means we decided there and then we'd do them. The drive down to the end of Pubil was inglorious but the cliffs of Meall Ghaordaidh loomed large and poked through the clouds. Although it was raining, we opted for the get high quick approach and marched straight up off the land rover track to Meall Tonail at 710m, whereupon the rain quickly turned to snow. A drier rain, it seems.

We dropped down to the bealach and I made some snow balls, before we had a wee bite to eat. The climb up on Meall Buidhe was good and we made progress up on to the broad slopes. Once at the fence posts, it was a fairly uncomplicated plod round to the summit although navigation was in order, to ensure we got the correct summit cairn (there appeared to be 2). Graham erected the tripod for the summit shot (guess the pic) before we returned into what was now q a fierce hail of snow/sleet. Graeme donned his goggles while I cursed the fact that I had forgotten mine and would pay for it with very bloodshot and sore eyes later that evening. We descended down to the bealach and spied our 2nd objective as well as Loch Daimh - rather than ascend any further at that point, we traversed down and over to quite haggy ground. From there, we made the last ascent up on the summit, which would be good on a nice day but it was claggy. Our return to the car was uncomplicated but notable for some spectacular double salcos by Graeme over wet and greasy ground. The drive to the Lawers pub was an anti-climax as it was shut for Winter presumably. Our usual post-hill aperitif would need to wait until the next time. Good pad despite fairly inclement weather and nice to be back in Glen Lyon.

Beinn a Bha'ach Ard

The weather gods were not kind on this trip North and after my marination the previous day on Sgurr a Mhaoraich, I was keen to wait for a decent weather window. A short trip into Inverness from the www.thestruy.co.uk meant that I was back in the Inn for 1100, changed and already decided on where my afternoon stroll would be. I could see my hill with a lovely rainbow over it and so decided that this was indeed a positive omen. The walk down Strathfarrar glen is very pleasant. The ugly power station is not but the land rover track behind it made for good progress. I decided to follow a track North-East into the coire of the Corbett. It was quite good going and views over to the Kessock Bridge and beyond were opening up. I started up the South ridge and I was surprised how long this hill was taking me even though the guide book by Cicerone does state a round trip time of 5 hours and 5 minutes. At about 800m, the wind really dropped the temperature and so I layered up - looking West, I could see the start of the Strathfarrar fower, which I'd come back to later this year hopefully.

South, the characteristic double crags of Sgurr an Airgid could be seen while just behind, Glen Affric Munros loomed in broken cloud. I climbed up the final summit and took shelter behind gar trig point, taking a lovely warm cup of cha. I continued North down the slopes and over to the satellite peak before heading SE and over to Loch na Beste. What a beautiful loch this is and it provides a stunning foreground to the Corbett. I whiled away a little time here before realising it was 3.15pm and the shadows were lengthening. From here, the track took me back out at Inchmore (every woman's dream) and the pleasant amble back to the Struy for a well-earned dinner with pint. Good wee day out.

Beinn Mheadhonach and the Tarf bothy

A few weeks ago, a plan had been conjured by Darren and I to grab the 2 Munros beside the Tarf bothy. We would go in over Mheadhonach with his wife and two dogs. A pleasant meander was had all the way Gilbert's Bridge before we moved off this track and on to another into Glen Mairc. Twas only 5km to this point and it felt like we were in Middle Earth. Wonderful. Finally, the further we walked into the glen, the more we could see Mheadhonach open up with Beinn a Chait looking lovely - yet, not even mentioned in any guide book - the folly of sticking to hills in books. We crossed over an old bridge and let the dogs take on some water before the hard work began. With the heavy packs, I found the going very tough. The dogs were pulling Darren and Emma up but their superior fitness was telling. A week sitting on my arse catches up.

Eventually, we reached the plateau - the skies were stunning. This must rank as one of the more isolated Corbetts and it was a fabulous hill. At 901m, we could see over to Beinn a Ghlo and beyond.

As we moved over the plateau, we felt blessed and the hard work was behind me although not for Darren and Emma - the dogs pulled them over the tussocks and therefore made for hard work. We reached a loch and headed over a small hill and down to the river Tarf. From here, it was a 2.5 mile walk to the bothy and we arrived just as it was getting dark. An obstinate fire eventually kicked in and with food, a dram and some mince pies we chatted away with some music until 2045, where it was lights out. Not before Milo the giant schnauzer ate Emma's mince pie, tin foil and all. Oops.

Quinag

I had really been looking forward to doing the Quinag experience. I had recently obtained a copy of the Corbetts book published by Cicerone and it was a very good guide to the hill. What I also like about this book is that the author provides some history around some of the Corbetts north of the Great Glen but is honest enough to admit if he hasn't taken in certain parts. I had viewed the hill from every angle during recent sojourns to the North-West and I would finally set foot on this grand mountain. The approach path from the car park is stupendous and I branched off left at the cairn, while the first view of Spidean Coinich opened up. The meander over the slabs is enjoyable and affords an easy ascent on the shoulder of the 'milk pail'. Once at the shoulder, views across to Suilven really opened up. A steeper amble brought me up on the 1st Corbett and impressive views across the rest of the day's objective. A steepish descent and then ascent up on to peak 715 allows for an exquisite view back to where the walker has just come.

From the middle of the Euro, it's a nice amble over towards the 2nd Corbett, if one is leaving the middle Corbett until the end. Between peak 715 and the 2nd Corbett, the promontory West allows for absolutely stunning views across the North-West, the numerous lochans and a real feel of space and wilderness. I was reluctant to press on - for me, the views here are as good if not better than anything on the Aonach Eagach. It truly was a stunning hill. I pushed on to the 2nd Corbett and could now see the cliffs of Sail Gharbh opening up, where I would soon finish my walk. I reversed my route and began the last climb on to this 3rd Corbett - interesting change of geology halfway along the ridge with red scree giving way to grey quartzite. From here, Arkle, Foinaven and beyond can be easily viewed. All that remained was to complete the route and return back home. I had read a report that of over 650 hills, a chap considered Quinag to be in his top ten. I would wholeheartedly concur. This is a truly magnificent hill, which has it all and one that I would do again and again.

Fraoch Bheinn and Sgurr na-Cos Breach Laoigh

Although I was due to meet Daz at a pre-defined grid reference for our wild camp on Sgurr Beag, I knew I'd be up at Loch Arkaig at least 4 hours ahead of him. This meant that I could go in over at least one of the Corbetts - as the weather was fair, I decided on combining Fraoch Bheinn and the unpronouncable Sgurr. It was warm but raining so I had to put on the waterproof - mistake no. 1 - I was now boil-in-the-bag hot and started slurping the water.

It was quite a steep haul up to the summit of FB but views back to Streap were worth it. Once at the top of the hill, I decided on a more or less direct descent West, which was very steep in places. Half an hour of sustained hammering on the thighs and my legs were pretty battered. At the bealach between these two hills, it is about 400m but with the evening sunshine, cleg and midge clouds, I felt like I was broiling in hell. The ascent on to the shoulder of Sgurr-na CBL was nice once on to the ridge and a welcoming breeze banished the insecticidae. At about 800m, I was walking along to the Cioch, when I had a terrible cramp in my thighs. I sat down, took my first proper rest after 4 hours and consumed a rehydration powder. This wasn't enough and the balls of cramp were going nowhere - even sitting was agony. "I'll need a medevac, Kev!" After about 10 minutes, I got up and things relaxed a little. The climb over to the summit was nice with views over to Sgurr Mor and beyond becoming really nice. The view back along the Corbett to its South summit and crags was lovely. From here, I still had the descent and ascent to An Eag to do but that is covered here: http://www.munromadness.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/sgurr-mor-and-sgurr-nan-coireachean.html.

Dun da Gaoithe/Sgurr Dearg then Reach for the Dead

On my second day in Mull, I hooked up with IainK and decided on a point-to-point over the Corbett and Graham. The literature and anecdotes suggested that the ground in between could be rough going and the 6m step, 50m North of the Graham summit was a bit tricky. As with most things in Scottish hill folklore, this was very much a pile of bollocks. The land rover track wends halfway up Dun da Gaoithe and allows for a quick romp to 560m mark. Unfortunately, we were above the cloud for quite a bit of the trek but nevertheless, we enjoyed our time on the hill. we left our backpacks at the trigpoint and began the walk out to the summit cairn, 1 km distant. It was a nice airy walk along the edge of the coire, which is a huge expanse. We returned quickly to grab the packs and began the descent off Dun da Gaoithe. By keeping to the West, we missed any potential difficulties but the route was obvious and helpfully, it was dry. I suppose under wet conditions, it could be tricky but so is the disabled ramp at my local Tesco. Our climb up on to Sgurr Dearg was interrupted by lunch and a chance to sit and enjoy the view down into Glen Forsa. Two suicidal sheep were spotted amongst the rockfall North of the summit of our next objective, quite happily munching on whatever grass could be taken.

Things steepened as we approached the mauvais pas but it was little more than an enjoyable scramble virtually up on the summit area and cairn.

As we moved away, the sun eventually came out and warmed our faces. We descended down into Glen Forsa with Beinn Talaidh becoming bigger by the minute. I had enjoyed my day and was happy to head for the car but Iain turned on the after-burners and went for Beinn Talaidh too. He arrived back at the car one hour after me, which afforded time to listen to the Boards of Canada's new album. Bliss. A very fine day where I could 'Reach for the Dead'.

Beinn a Choin wild camp

Graeme and I met up at Inverlochlarig and left his car there. The 57-mile drive to Stronachlachar defies sense, with the distance between cars now down to approximately 8 miles as the crow flies. Unfortunately, we can't fly but we began the walk up on the Beinn a Choin from Garrison. A fairly steep plod with the heavy packs and temperate weather saw us on to Stob a Fhaine 1.5 hours after departure. The Corbett proper was still a wee walk away but with views across to Beinn Lui and the Arrochar alps, it was a lovely evening. From this viewpoint, Ben Lomond has an impressive North face and one which would look fabulous from its neighbouring Graham, Cruinn Bheinn - a future Winter sojourn, I think. We reached the large summit cairn as the sun was setting and a cold wind blew in. A phone call home and then we made the descent down off the hill into a sheltered glen, just below the bealach nan corp. At 2200, we had set up camp and settled down to have a couple of beers, catching up on the previous months events. At 2300, we were both a little chilled out, temperature and mind-wise. It was time for kip, with the knowledge of one in the bag before bed.