Meall na h-Aisre

Could it really have been over a year since I’d set foot on a Munro, never mind a Corbett!?! Apparently, yes. I’d long considered taking the mountain bike up this hill as it looked like there was Land Rover track pretty much to the summit. And so I left home after having walked Sadie, and arriving in the glen at 1230. This gave me a window of about 5 hours before nightfall. As it was I needn’t have worried.

Garva bridge was where I left the car and it looked glorious in the autumn light. I was a good 0.5km up the road when I realised I’d gone up the wrong road! A fast descent brought me back to the wee turn off before the bridge, then I made my way to the hill proper. It was a windy afternoon and I gradually climbed higher and higher until I got to about 650m. From here, I left the bike and climbed the last mile on foot. 

I arrived at the summit and in clag. With the bike, it had taken me 75 minutes to get here but I knew the descent would be very rapid. And fun. As I ran back to the bike, the lochain glint caught my eyes. I love this time of year. I sent a text to Mrs P to say I’d be down soon and so it proved. At one point I hit 50km/hour. It should be illegal to have that much fun on a bike and a hill. In 24 minutes, I was back at the car. What an exhilarating descent, requiring massive concentration. A great way to re-start the Corbett collection.

Sgurr an Utha

A hill repeat but with company; I’ve been friends with Alex for 45 years!! Incredible. He was accompanied by his girlfriend and we repeated the route I had done almost 6 years ago. The views were superb as before with views to Ben Nevis and out to Eigg and Rhum. A truly superb day.

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.

Carn Mor & Glen Pean bothy

And so it was the annual Winter bothy trip with Graeme was back on. Cancelled in 2020 because of this damned pandemic, we confirmed the date of 3rd weekend in November for a new bothy experience, and a new hill! I had forgotten how long the drive takes down Loch Arkaig but what a rollercoaster it is. Total concentration for 40 minutes and eventually I rolled up to the car park at Strathan with a few of the beasts as welcoming party. 

It's amazing how close you can get to them. But, that was terrible of me calling Graeme and Luna beasts - they had only been in A'Chuil one evening. We got the packs sorted and began the yomp into Glen Pean; although a threat of rain, it didn't really take hold and we had fine views as we walked further into our destination. It was good to catch up again as we hadn't been on the hill since Knoydart - our Munro extravanganza and the sad acceptance that it was currently two thirds of my total Munros for the year. But it's quality over quantity, isn't it? Not when you're 15 from completing....

After a good hour of walking and catching up, we saw our home for the night and it looked a cracking wee abode.

We unpacked, got the sleeping bags set out on the sleeping platforms and became German for the afternoon - towels down, our platforms claimed for the evening! We needn't have worried as we'd be the only folks in the bothy that night. Our plan now was straight up on to the ridge of Carn Mor, a Corbett that would lead us out to the edge of Knoydart and Loch Morar. It was a brute of ascent and unforgiving but we appeared on the flat ridge after about 45 minutes. From here, our summit lay 2 miles to the West and despite the odd burst of rain, we had a great walk along to the final climb. 

We could see the massive slip to the South of the summit and carefully walked along the cleft, before the wind blasted us on our final walk to the summit cairn, and Loch Morar beyond. We didn't hang about at the summit and Luna was unimpressed by the wind chill. It took me a good 15 minutes to warm up on the way down towards the bothy.

Our descent was careful and we were both relieved to get back to the bothy and into the warmth of a braw bothy fire. Glen Pean has a rather foreboding feel to it - in stark contrast to the magnificent bothy - we sat from 1715 until 2215, watching bothy TV, supping beer and even stretched to a fine bottle of bubbly with the now compulsory Diablo toasties. The walk out the next day was fine, with the hill summits covered in snow. Winter is soon upon us.

Garbh Bheinn (Ardgour)

I managed to get some sleep after my summit camp on Beinn Bheag (report here https://grahammadness.blogspot.com/2021/09/sgurr-mhic-eacharna-beinn-bheag.html) and the tent was packed up with breakfast in my belly by 0630. The cloud was just beginning to break and my objective for the day looked me right in the face. Granite slabs dropped down most of this impressive mountain - one for summer for sure.

I made my way down to the lochain below Garbh Bheinn and looked up at its steep climb - I had a climb of about 1100 feet ahead of me but I would just take my time as a slip here would be problematic. The climb eventually wound its way into a Coire and I followed the route to the summit but not before I stopped and took a photo back to Beinn Bheag, which paled into comparison beside this brute of a hill.

The summit view was obscured by clag so I just made my way down the long shoulder of the Corbett until I got back to the road. Only 7.5km of a walk out from camp but it took my 3 hours which highlights how tough the terrain was. All that remained was the short ferry trip back over and the drive home. I felt very relaxed and recharged. This was my 125th Corbett - tough to beat this experience.

Creagan na Bainne from Newton Bridge

I was in dire need of an end to the working week. Scunnered is the word. I had a pass for an overnight but I couldn't be doing with the long drive or a night under the stars - my mind was in monkey-mind. Best to keep it local and do something non-technical. I decided to head to the Sma' Glen and take the bike with me. I parked up at Newton Bridge, and began the bike along Glen Almond. It was dry and warm so it wasn't long before I was generating a good sweat. I hadn't been down this way before so was enjoying the great Land Rover track in. I decided to take the bike as far as Dalriech but rather than leave the bike in the glen, I would ascend the lower slopes of the Corbett. Tough going but I reached a high enough point before it got really steep. It was as I ascended that the first shower came down the glen. Not unpleasant but it had been a long time since I'd been out in rain. Changed days.

I followed the track that wend its way up the hill and eventually started to get decent views North over Loch Tay to the Ben Lawers Munros. The apparent hump over some peat hags was my destination for the day - not particularly inspiring but once I got to the summit, I was happy to get another summit in the bag. The number of mountain hares was incredible, darting all over the place. I re-traced my steps back where I came and began to feel better as the showers died down and I began to dry off. 

I had some nourishment back at the bike, donned the gear and began the cycle back out. I took 20 minutes off the return leg as it was mainly downhill - I hadn't appreciated how much ascent there was to the initial journey in. A couple of lovely ladies asked if I'd enjoyed my day and it was great to exchange pleasantries before the fairly short drive home. Always good to see a new bit of this great, wee country we live in.

Mam na Gualainn

And so after 18 months, I was back out on the hills with Graeme who I had not seen since pre-pandemic. And this time, we'd be joined by Luna, his new black Labrador. We had agreed to do Mam na Gualainn from Kinlochleven and got there nice and early (0830). The pooch was keen to go and we began the hike along the road before ascending the WHW path on to the lairig. It had been about 15 months since I'd tried this with my brother-in-law in very heavy snow. At that time, we had got as far as the shoulder and then bailed. This time, the weather was fine with no rain or inclement weather forecast. Indeed, we made good time up on to Being na Caillichand the views were stupendous. This hill is ideally placed for views to Glencoe, down the Loch, and over to the Mamores. An absolute gem of a hill. 

At some point, Luna had absorbed a tick and Graeme was able to unlatch and dispatch. She seemed non-plussed and only had eyes for lunch! We made our way along the ridge to the Corbett summit, where there was a poignant summit trig point ('Keep on climbing, Tony') - he had died very young and had served his country in the Royal Marines. A fitting tribute to someone who had given so much. I thought about it for a while and we pushed on. The descent back into the lairig was uncomplicated and once back on to the Land Rover track, we were assailed by numerous WHWers asking us how far to Fort William. We began to make the numbers up by the 3rd or 4th lot of people "Only 14 miles to go now" etc. We were down by 1430 and it was a most enjoyable hill. Great to see Graeme again and the plans for Knoydart were in full flow for July. Encore!  

Gairbeinn from Melgarve

I had intended on heading back up the Munros again but the timings weren't right so I decided to keep the drive reasonable, and instead decided on Gairbeinn from Melgarve bothy. I had the bike unloaded once more, and from Garva bridge, it was a nice ride along the road for about 4 miles, all done in 22 minutes. Unsurprisingly, the bothy was locked but it looked a nice place to spend an evening so I'll definitely come back in Winter. Gairbeinn stood tall and as it had been so dry, what would have been a boggy approach was actually dry underfoot. I fair pelted up the slopes, and once at the plateau, the views opened up nicely to surrounding hills. Although the wind turbines were a definite blot on the landscape. There was still some snow patches lying around and there was a real frigidity to the wind blowing from the North. I didn't hang about and descended quickly to the bike. The 4-mile cycle back out was lovely and the amount of deer near the river was incredible. When I got back to the car, I fired up the cooker and got some curry down my throat, with a wee can of Dr Pepper. I felt great and it was good to get Corbett 122 in the bag - ONLY 100 to go!

Mount Battock feat. Clachnaben

As the dictat to 'stay at home' was relaxed to 'stay local', I decided to head up and see my parents who I hadn't seen for months. My mum, in particular, seemed to be suffering from a depression of sorts and so for me, as they had both been double vaccinated I felt justified in heading up and dropping M off with them before I took in this hill. I arrived at the Glen Dye car park at 0830, about 10th in line! So, others had decided to explore and get out and about. I took the path out of the car park and hared along to Miller's Bog, where a stream of people were up ahead. Clachnaben could now be seen, the prominent tor that prompted the now infamous quote "Clachnaben and Bennachie, twa landmarks fae the sea'. 

The yomp along the excellent path made for quick going and within the hour, I was up at the Clachnaben tor, which was becoming busy already. The wind at the top was perishing and I really wondered whether I was ready to walk the extra 4 miles out to Mount Battock, and back. However, I was determined to make the most of every trip from now on. I could see my objective away in the distance, and conditions looked dry. I was going for it. 

I passed a couple of guys at the smaller tor further on and said hello; one of the guys with shorts said 'it's f£$king freezing!' - I had to laugh. It was but I was fully clad. I motored on and began to enjoy the solitude. The Land Rover track made for easy walking albeit it was bordering on environmental vandalism. I eventually came across a hut about 3km from the summit and decided to leave my pack here. I had some refreshments and then started a run along the track and up to the summit. I topped out at the trig point and large shelter cairn just as the clag dropped. So, there wasn't much point in taking in the view. Plus, I still had the 13-km walk-out. I ran back to the pack, had a lovely can of San Pellegrino and started my walk out. I enjoyed the walk out, passing many people who all seemed jovial and delighted to be out. After 5 hours of walking, I made it back to the car - pretty good-going for a 26-km day. My Winter training had really put me in a good place physically and mentally. Really enjoyable day.

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.