Sgorr na Diollaid

First proper hill since I’d had the hernia repair end of January. While I was confident I’d have the fitness for this relatively short excursion, I was conscious of snow-clad hills and late start. The long drive into Glen Cannich took me a few hours. I eventually parked, changed and got going was 3pm. So, I didn’t want to muck around. 

It’s a bit of rough ground actually getting up to the main hill but great views over to Mullardoch make the walk much easier. Once I hit the snow line, the temperature really dropped. The final climb up on the cracking summit feature was splendid, and the West to Mullardoch and Glen Strathfarrar were amaxing. At 1650, I didn’t hang around and began the descent back to the car. Uncomplicated and swift, I reached the car at 1800. A great wee hill and another one under the belt, with some decent fitness banked. 

Carn a Chuilinn

At last, the Christmas holiday period. It had been a long year and I had a couple of days up North planned. The forecast was pretty grim but there might be a wee weather window this afternoon. And so it proved. I enjoyed the very quiet drive up and pulled into the lay-by at 1130. Giving me a good 5 hours of light, I was running light. I followed the Land Rover track into the Glen, with many vans/4x4s driving down from the reservoir. A few nods. By the time I got to the bend in the road, the weather had closed in and it started to snow.

I headed up a track of sorts, stopped to add the waterproof trousers and gloves then began the serious yomp to the summit. The wind and snow was really hitting me hard now but I continued onwards until I reached the two lochains. From here, it was a final climb to the summit cairn. No view and no time for hanging about as it was pretty tough conditions. I took a reading to get off the summit and head for another track West. It was a good and easy descent, with no issues. From here, I decided to follow a track rather than take the LR track back. Wasn’t an easy path as it was pretty waterlogged but got me back to the main track an hour later.

From here, an easy run back to the car in 3.5 hours for 18.5km distance (718m ascent). Great to be out and an enjoyable day, relishing the elements.

Beinn Chuirn

This is a retrospective (very much so) account of a short pad up this hill in August. I went light and decided I'd run in from Tyndrum upper train station, which has a lovely meander through the forest and then out not far from the gold mine. It wasn't long before I started the ascent up the grassy contours, not far from the Eag. I steered well away from the steeper ground and made my way up to the summit - at times, the weather closed in and it became very cold. Once at the summit, I could see right down and over to the neighbouring Graham, which I'd done a few years ago. I fair piled down the hill and continued my run back out and up into the forest, back at the car within a credible 2.5 hours. 

Meall nan Subh

A short day from Glen Lochay and up the road from the farm. Views to Ben Nevis and back to the Munros over the glen. It was cold on the tops and the summit area is a fine place to take in the wide spread of views. A very under-rated hill I think and one I really enjoyed. Couldn't upload photos from my phone so you'll need to take my word for it!

Carn an Fhreaceadain

I was staying at my folks in Aberdeenshire and had a day to explore the hills. The forecast for the afternoon was not fantastic but I was keen to get the hill fitness back to levels pre-Covid. It had been 7 weeks since the dreaded virus and I had been working back into my fitness through running, MTB and kettlebells. I decided on the 2 hour drive over to Kingussie and keep relatively East of the incoming inclement weather. I parked and changed, and then began the walk up the glen. I couldn't believe that as I walked alongside the golf course that I saw not only 1 red squirrel but 2! Their camouflage meant that I couldn't get a decent photo although they were less shy than I had seen previously. The walk up the land rover track was a joy and the views back over the hills was lovely. It was great just being out and relaxing, knowing I didn't need to rush back.

After about an hour, the path did get steeper and unfortunately I entered into the cloud - with an appreciable decrease in temperature, and an increase in windspeed and drizzle! I headed over to the cairn on Beinn Bhreac (in case it was promoted to anything of note), and then turned into the stiffening breeze for the last few hundred metres to the summit of the Corbett. By the time I had made my way over to the trig point, it was very cold. I touched the summit, took a terrible selfie and began the run down the hill. It was a joy to run down the path and I encountered a couple of folks on the way up who looked a bit shocked at my rapid descent. By the time I got back into the town, 3.5 hours had passed. A decent 19+ km day and Corbett 130 in the bag. Mentally and physically I felt great. Will this be the year I finally compleat the Munros?

Brown Cow Hill aka Hill of the Brown Cow

And so to the last Corbett in the Cairngorms. A visit to mum and dad's usually entails a gander at the hill map in the area - if I was away early enough, I'd get to Corgarff for 0900 and enjoy a good run over this hill. I was there bang on time and with running gear on and light pack. Although cold, it was a good weather forecast so no need to worry about inclement weather. I enjoyed the run along the Land Rover track and then the steep climb up past the grouse butts. I was making good progress and started to enjoy the views across to Ben Avon and the tors in particular. It seemed an age since I'd been up there with Darren and Graeme in 2010. Jeezo.

I dropped down off the initial climb, and crossed a relatively deep heather expanse - it was a bit of a struggle up to the plateau of Brown Cow Hill but the view back to where I came from, and the Ladder Hills was very rewarding. From here, it was a nice run over to the small cairn with the stunning tors of Ben Avon in the distance. All that remained was to descend back down the glen and round past the estate buildings to the car. I was all done in 2.5 hours with 16km of distance, which is reasonable going in Winter.

Glas Bheinn from Kinlochleven

The last official working day of the year and I was away from home by 0430. My plan was to head North to Kinlochleven and get 4G on my preferred hill so that I could dial into the last meeting with the team. I needn't have worried. I drove through Glencoe at 0630 and thought I'd drive up to Fort Bill for coffee and breakfast at Costa. Disaster - not opening until 0800. I just hit a garage, fuelled up and got some Red Bull before the lovely meander along the wee road to KLL from South Ballachulish. And it was still pitch black at 0745! I phoned my wife and wished her and my daughter 'good morning', as they laughed at my eagerness. And lack of hill progress. Eventually in the grey murk of dawn, I got my hill gear together and set off up the path out of KLL. Progress was good and the view back down Loch Leven with the Pap of Glencoe is always special. 

Eventually, I levelled out and the view ahead was clear to my objective for the day, the Corbett Glas Bheinn. Most reports suggested crossing the head of the loch and contouring round but it made for a boggy approach. As I had my trail shoes on and was largely running, I decided to head straight along the loch and then take a more direct approach up to the summit.

The track was excellent for approach running and I was entirely on my own. I thoroughly enjoyed the isolation of it all and one of the trees at the side of the loch was very pretty. The sound of the streams running off Sgurr Eilde Mor was lovely.

I reached the old building at the adjoining point between Loch Eilde Mor and Beag. A simple crossing off this and it was straight up the slopes, which were boggy lower down. I ploughed up for a good 45 minutes, with the view back to the Lochs very nice indeed. And at 1000, I took my call and proudly showed off my background to the team. Tres jaloux! I was a happy soul at the summit.

I continued North-East off the summit and then jinked back towards my crossing point, careful of the crags just off the summit. Once down safe, it was a simple pleasure of running/walking back out to the car. I got down for 1200 and was home by 1445 in time for coffee and lunch. A great wee end to the year's hills. But for 2022, I aim to compleat the Munros.