Geal Charn (Cairngorms)

On the way up to Inverness for Exam Board, I wished to add to my Corbett count and I was now approaching the centenary. This hill wasn't one I had long considered but it would fit well with a minor deviation off the A9. That said, it took a wee while to eventually get down to the lodge, where I parked at the edge of the turning circle. The forecast was mixed and it was certainly that type of day, where it was warm enough but once the wind and rain hit me on the summit, it was pretty chilly. June in Scotland really. I didn't get a true appreciation of the views for this hill although Ben Rinnes could be seen to the North-East. The ground was a bit awkward off the North-West so it took me a wee while to get round this but I eventually hit Corbett 98, and ran around this 13km route in just over 2 hours. I enjoyed the remote aspect of this hill. Although considered a Cairngorm hill, it feels rather separate from the main range.

Beinn nan Oighreag

Apparently in the 1930s, this hill attracted considerable attention as it was found to approximate the height of a Munro - I say ould chep. However, at 909m, it falls several metres short of the Munro-bagger's requirements. I fancied it as a short run and decent preparation for the Fling, in 2 weeks. It would also be the first time with my Brooks Cascadia trail shoes so would allow me to break them in sufficiently. I followed the land rover track and missed the hill path, which would meander around and eventually to the old shielings. As a consequence, I ended up climbing too high, too early although it was just good to be getting out in the hills again. I crossed the Allt Dhuin Croisg where on the map there should be old shielings but I couldn't see any. However, there was a decent path, which must have been the old drovers route from Glen Lochay over into Glen Lyon.

Eventually, I began the trudge up the hill proper and it didn't take long before the snow fields on the NE face of Meall Ghaordaidh came into view. There were a few false summits before I finally encountered the summit cairn with outstanding views up to Loch Lyon and the reservoir dam. The views back South were also very pleasant too. However, it was very cold and I layered up to full Winter gear, with evidence of light snow on the summit area. A wee bit of food and I began the run back down the hill to the car. I was back at the car in 2 hours 30 minutes and felt very good. Good way to hit my 97th Corbett and i see my hill jaunts being more like this in the future.

Ben Vuirich

As part of my Highland Fling ultra-marathon training, I had hatched a plan to run out to Ben Vuirich and back. The great thing about running light and being fit enough is that if conditions allow it, you can grab these distant hills in relatively quick time. The forecast had been for settled weather over the weekend and I noted the glorious conditions on the Saturday before I was due to head out. Getting a wee lie-in on the Sunday meant that I awoke in good spirits and not that worried about the grey hanging over the local environs. I departed home at 0730 and was delighted with how quiet the A9 was, the whole way to Blair Atholl. It had been a few years since I had romped around Beinn a Ghlo and I had forgotten the road route, though didn't go wrong until I drove past Loch Moraig. I pulled in beside another couple of cars and donned my light pack, running trainers and gloves. I was away by 0930 and began the light run up the land rover track.

Carn Liath was covered in clag but the sporadic snowfields showed how much snow had fallen up here recently. At -2C, it was a chilly start so I was glad to get running. The track rises quite slowly but enough that I didn't run the whole of the first 2km. Once past the cattle gate though, it was delightful running all the way down to the river. The cloud threatened to lift now and again, with the occasional bit of blue shining through. After the burn crossing, the path gained height over Sron na-h Innereach but it was still possible to run the good majority of it. Eventually and reluctantly I left the track just past the crags of Stac nam Bodach and began a direct climb over this wee hill to 672m. From here, it was a negotiation of what would have been a boggy set of hags but the conditions meant it was a delightful tramp up on to the final steep climb to Ben Vuirich. The last 200m were a bit of a slog but within 2 hours of leaving the car, I was sheltered beside the trig point with occasional views to jigsaw pieces of Carn nan Gabhar. I sent my wife a wee message and then headed due North down to the track.

I picked up the track after a relatively steep descent and was glad for the slightly warmer conditions. Although I had a lightweight duvet jacket and trousers if conditions deteriorated, I hadn't used them much as I tend to overheat quickly, if I run. Ben Vuirich popped out of the cloud long enough for me to see its flat top but then was covered once again. The run back to the car was an absolute joy and I was back at the car within 3 hours 45 min. A good wee run (just short of 24km and 816m of ascent) and one that saw me back home before dark, which is always a bonus (and earns some brownie points)!

Sgurr na Feartaig & Beinn Tharsuinn

Decided to head North to do these Corbetts in addition to the 3 Munros, if conditions permitted. They did not. Having left Achnasheen and driven down the road to excellent visibility and 17 degree C, about a mile along the land rover track, I realised that the wind had picked up with consequent tumbling of temperature. By the time I had my way up on to the Pollan Duibhe, Sgurr Choinnich and partner were covered in black cloud and the wind had really begun to pick up. I could see a small figure descending quickly off Sgurr na Feartaig and I spied the path wending its way up. I crossed the fantastic little bridge beside the tree and met a wee lad, who was waiting for his mum. He posed for a snap.

The ascent up on the first objective was excellent and made for quick progress though by 600m, the wind was pretty ferocious. I met his mum at this point who was a little worried but I reassured her he was fine. The immediate area before the summit of Sgurr na Feartaig offers tremendous views over to Ceannachain, a Munro that was demoted to a Corbett. Recently, I had done another Corbett without doing anything; Cnoc Coinnich having been promoted from Graham to Corbett status. This point beside the large lochain would be an excellent point for a camp. I hit the large summit cairn and stopped to assess the descent down to the bealach bhearnais, with great views over to the Munro (still covered in ominous cloud) and Beinn Tharsuinn.

I descended to the bealach and began the climb to an area just short of the ascent on to Tharsuinn. Weather permitting, I'd set up camp here for the approach to the Munros. It took me some time to erect the tent due to the wind conditions. Having secured the tent, I began the ascent up on the Tharsuinn but the clag and dropped and it was just a case of checking the map over the various undulations, before the unusual summit area - a nice crevasse, which would be desperate in Winter and the summit area that looked like it had been eroded away to the East. I sent texts to my wife and Darren (who i intended to meet later that weekend). The descent was uneventful and I was glad to see my tent was in once piece. I got in, de-cloaked and tucked into a lovely focaccia with some fluids. Despite my intentions however, this spot would not do as the tent caved in knocking me flat. Desperate measures. I would pack up, descend to the Pollan Duibhe and re-consider.

At this point, I made a decision to return home proper. I had been having doubts about the trip and what with various home and work issues, decided I would be better at home resolving these than sitting in a tent with no reception and no way to hear from Emma. The walk back out saw me reach the car at 2135, barely without use of head torch. I got in the car and drove the long road home arriving at 0155. Good to get these two Corbetts done in this remote area but I have unfinished Munro business here, which can wait for better times.

Carn Mor from the Lecht

Originally I had planned to combine this with Carn Ealasaid but the furiously hot conditions meant that a solo was in the offing. Furthermore, I arrived at the Lecht at 1300, just as conditions were hitting 24C.  I hadn't really researched the area from the Lecht over to Carn Mor but presumed it was a fairly straightforward plod past the paraphernalia. I couldn't have been more wrong. The summit of Meikle Corr Riabhach is obviously a perfect breeding ground for black-headed seagulls and they fair bombarded me as I walked among their newly hatched young. Bundles of feathery cuteness were plentiful and well-camouflaged. I almost trod on one but avoided it last second. The bog factor soon came into play and from here over to Carn Liath, it was a fair old bog-hop. That said, the hot weather had dried out most of them so it was just a case of route-finding. Within 90 minutes, I was at the remote summit of Carn Mor, with an unusual silhouetted trig point - almost floating in appearance. I topped up the factor 30, re-hydrated and began the reverse bog-trot. I was quite fresh after the Milngavie Trail Race the day before and was back at the car by 1545, a 2 hour 45 minute trek. The number of hares on this trip was almost into the hundred so plenty of wildlife up here.

Caisteal Abhail

..the last Corbett on Arran and I woke up to see that there had been quite a bit of snow on the top of Goatfell. Eek. Emma dropped me round at the parking area a few miles North of Sannox.
I had decided to go up via the North ridge and as I emerged from the forestry, the prize shined bright. The close-up of the Witch's step showed that it shouldn't be messed with, especially with fresh snow and sub-zero temperatures.

The path was excellent and made for quick and assured progress. I crossed over the burn and began the ascent up on to the North ridge. From here, the views really opened up over to Suidhe Feargas and beyond.

Mullach Buidhe came into view too (Beinn Bharrain), which I had done a few years ago. It looked very pretty with its own snow.

However, once up and past the main tors, the view across Glen Rose to Cir Mhor and beyond was truly stunning. The climb up on to the summit tor was straightforward and I'm not sure that the views can be matched for the splendour or grand nature of rock. It was quite special.

I decided to head down and around Coire Abhail, before leaving the ridge to Cir Mhor and then down into Glen Sannox. Once on sure ground, it was a beautiful run back out of the glen and round to Corrie, where I met my wife and daughter. A perfect day.

Sgurr an Airgid

A friendship that has endured for over 37 years. I first met Alex when I was 4, in his parent's VW camper van. Consequently, the trip North saw us re-casting our minds back to experiences we hadn't spoken of in years. As parents, there was now a chance to contextualise our upbringing. Unfortunately, the weather had been great until the Thursday but on our journey on the Saturday, it was overcast though Alex did get some views the next day. I had decided on this Corbett as it was close the Kintail hotel, would be straightforward enough and there was a good track. Until 500m, we did get some decent views over to Beinn Fhada but once on to the plateau, we headed into clag. The snow kept it interesting though and there were some airy drops to the North. One could sense the barren expanse to the North of the hill, with tiny lochains shining through some of the cloud cover.

After 2 hr 20, we headed up to the fractured trig point, with a piece of wid sticking out. A couple of shots, then a wee Macallan's just below the summit, in the lee of a large boulder. Our return was quick and we got a bit of a soaking but once we'd showered and had a fantastic steak pie all that remained was to have a few beers and for me to thrash Alex at pool. Some things will never change! Slainte!