October 2: Left home at 9.30. Stopped in Dunblane at 7ish for a meal at the Dunblane Hotel. OK, but not great. Then carried on to Roybridge- arrived at 9.50. After I had settled in, I went for a walk over the railway line & along a track by the side of the river but could not find the bridge (well it was dark.)
October 3: Raining hard in the morning, so went back to bed after breakfast. I slept until 11.00, eventually set off at about 12 for Cruach Innse. Had lunch at Insh, then left the path and headed up steep ground up the South East ridge, reached the summit at 4, then on to Sgurr Innse, very craggy, on the summit at 5.30, left 10 minutes later, down Corrie Lair, overshot the turning to AC, reversed then headed NW along the tramway. I met an unfriendly wildcat after about 15 minutes, then a v. steep descent to Glen Spean, back at 9.40, 5 minutes after a train came past.
October 4: Late start, arrived Fersit at 11.15, headed for Stob Coir Mheadhoin. Retreated 330 metres below the summit, too windy, crossed the Allt Coire Lair at the dam, back to car at 5.30, very windy, also windy at AC.
October 5: Left at 1030, headed for Lairig Leachach Bothy. Climbed steeply to the tramway, then walked along the tramway, v. wet, skirted around streams. Could not cross the stream flowing down the Lairig. Crossed some rough ground, then rejoined the main path. Stopped for lunch at 2, arrived at Bothy at 3.10, left 3.30 back at AC at 7pm.
October 6: Due at Corrour, packed up and shopped. Got the 12.13train from Tulloch. Chatted to a couple in the train and had a coffee at the Station House. Eventually set off at 3.45 for Leil Uilleim, very wet, fell over on the horribly boggy path, then it rained hard for about half an hour. Carried but at 5.30, headed back down the corrie, back at 7.10.
October 7: Set off for Rannoch at 10.00. v.hard going. At first I went cross country, then headed for the path, then briefly along a track which brought me a to the railway line. Then walked across the moor across rough ground constantly stopping to cross streams, incredibly boggy & wet ground. At 2 headed for the forest above Loch Laidon. It then warmed up slightly, spotted a building and what I thought was a path, which was a v. boggy ramp, then on a track and on the station. Back at Corrour by 3.20, then walked along the path to Ossian, then to the railway track and back along the line to Corrour.
October 8: Set off at 9.40, headed for Leim Uilleim again, this time by the South ridge. Very windy, cloud base at 600m. One steep section up a gully, retreated at 12.20 a few yards short of the summit, so it would give me a good reason to do it again in good weather. Descended by the ascent route, avoided the gully, lunch at 1.30, then back to the station at 2.40. back to Tulloch at 3.40.
Good week
Sunday 21 November 2010
Monday 30 August 2010
Braemar, July 25-30
July 25: Drove up on a Sunday, because I bought the new car on the Saturday. Car went like a rocket, pretty fair mpg. Left home at 9.30, arrived Braemar at 9.
July 26: Drove to Linn of Dee. Now have to pay to park, £2.00 outrageous. I nearly stormed off without paying as I had no change, but I turned round & managed to get some coins off another driver. I eventually left Linn of Dee at 11.15, walked to White Bridge, then headed north, and while I was stopped, 2 lads walked past me with quite big packs on, one was wearing sandals, and had his boots in his rucksack.
I carried on a fair way north, then approached Creagan nan Gabhar from the NW, then reached the top of Sgurr Mor at 3.45. I then carried along the ridge to Sgor Subh, then dropped down to the path from White Bridge. I opened my rucksack to look at my GPS, and it was not there. I must have left it at my last stop. Damn. Too tired to go back and look so carried on to Linn of Dee arrived there at 6.15. A good day in spite of losing my GPS.
July 27: GPS hunt. Back to Linn of Dee, set of at 9.45, went to Derry Lodge, then on towards Luibeg Burn, where I turned off & approached Sgor Dubh from the NW, on summit at 12.45. Tried to follow the route of yetarday’s descent, but could not find the GPS. Not helped by the quite thick heather and the fact that I could not remember where I last stopped. On Sgur Mor at 5.00, Linn of Dee at 7.15.
July 28: To Linn of Dee again, but no GPS search today, walked to Fords of Avon Bothy. Went via Derry Lodge and then on to the bothy, and crossed the river without too many problems, although I did manage to put my foot in the river once. Had a dryoing session at the bothy, fortunately it was dry, and had some lunch. Then headed back, arrived at Linn of Dee by 7.00
July 29: Drove to Auchallater Lodge, mistake, £2.50 to park a car. Set off at 11.00, walked down Glen Callater then on to the top of the ridge, to Sron non Gabhar, then on to Creag nan Gabhar, which I reached at 1.00pm, where I had lunch. I descended to Lochcallater Lodge, & had a look around the bothy, very comfortable, with an easy chair which I made use of. Nobody was staying there, returned along the track back to the car and into Braemar in sunshine.
July 30: Last day, packed up and drove to Linn of Dee yet again. I attempted yet another abortive search. A knackering ascent, and got back to the main track at 1.00pm. Tehn on to White Bridge, and headed for Corrour, which took ages, arrived at the junction of the paths at 4.20., Luibed at 5.20, Linn of Dee at 7. I checked in to the Morefield House Hotel, and had an excellent meal, and a good sleep.
July 31: Left for home at 9.30, after saying good bye to Kate Muirhead. Stopped just outside Blairgowrie to buy some raspberries, then on to Edinburgh to see Richard, and went out for a meal with him. Then started on the long journey south, got held up in a horrendous traffic jam outside Birmingham, at about 8.30, did not get free of it until 11.00. I stopped off at Warwick Service Station for a meal which was revolting, a huge contrast to my meal last night. Got home at 1.00a.m. Good week.
July 26: Drove to Linn of Dee. Now have to pay to park, £2.00 outrageous. I nearly stormed off without paying as I had no change, but I turned round & managed to get some coins off another driver. I eventually left Linn of Dee at 11.15, walked to White Bridge, then headed north, and while I was stopped, 2 lads walked past me with quite big packs on, one was wearing sandals, and had his boots in his rucksack.
I carried on a fair way north, then approached Creagan nan Gabhar from the NW, then reached the top of Sgurr Mor at 3.45. I then carried along the ridge to Sgor Subh, then dropped down to the path from White Bridge. I opened my rucksack to look at my GPS, and it was not there. I must have left it at my last stop. Damn. Too tired to go back and look so carried on to Linn of Dee arrived there at 6.15. A good day in spite of losing my GPS.
July 27: GPS hunt. Back to Linn of Dee, set of at 9.45, went to Derry Lodge, then on towards Luibeg Burn, where I turned off & approached Sgor Dubh from the NW, on summit at 12.45. Tried to follow the route of yetarday’s descent, but could not find the GPS. Not helped by the quite thick heather and the fact that I could not remember where I last stopped. On Sgur Mor at 5.00, Linn of Dee at 7.15.
July 28: To Linn of Dee again, but no GPS search today, walked to Fords of Avon Bothy. Went via Derry Lodge and then on to the bothy, and crossed the river without too many problems, although I did manage to put my foot in the river once. Had a dryoing session at the bothy, fortunately it was dry, and had some lunch. Then headed back, arrived at Linn of Dee by 7.00
July 29: Drove to Auchallater Lodge, mistake, £2.50 to park a car. Set off at 11.00, walked down Glen Callater then on to the top of the ridge, to Sron non Gabhar, then on to Creag nan Gabhar, which I reached at 1.00pm, where I had lunch. I descended to Lochcallater Lodge, & had a look around the bothy, very comfortable, with an easy chair which I made use of. Nobody was staying there, returned along the track back to the car and into Braemar in sunshine.
July 30: Last day, packed up and drove to Linn of Dee yet again. I attempted yet another abortive search. A knackering ascent, and got back to the main track at 1.00pm. Tehn on to White Bridge, and headed for Corrour, which took ages, arrived at the junction of the paths at 4.20., Luibed at 5.20, Linn of Dee at 7. I checked in to the Morefield House Hotel, and had an excellent meal, and a good sleep.
July 31: Left for home at 9.30, after saying good bye to Kate Muirhead. Stopped just outside Blairgowrie to buy some raspberries, then on to Edinburgh to see Richard, and went out for a meal with him. Then started on the long journey south, got held up in a horrendous traffic jam outside Birmingham, at about 8.30, did not get free of it until 11.00. I stopped off at Warwick Service Station for a meal which was revolting, a huge contrast to my meal last night. Got home at 1.00a.m. Good week.
Saturday 22 May 2010
Compleation: Ratagan May 8-15, 2010.
May 8: Left home at 8.40, arrived Lee’s house at 9.40. Had another breakfast at his house & then set off at 10.30, arrived Ratagan at 10.30.
May 9: Left Ratagan at 9.05. Arrived GlenBrittle at 10.45. Set off for Sgurr Dearg at about 11, arrived at Inn Pinn at 2.30, after a lunch. Started climbing at 3, on top at 4, then started for home at 4.30, in Glen Brittle at 7.45, very cold and strong wind. Dinner at Sligachan at 8.30, back to Ratagan at 11 after an abortive trip to Cluanie.
May 10: Left Ratagan at 10 en route for Glenelg to drop Lee off as his knee had not recovered. Got held up by a herd of cattle just outside the village, who were being herded in an unusual way~from the herdsman’s car. Not surprisingly this did not work very well and they took ages to pass by. We dropped lee & my car at the ferry terminal car park, and we arrived at Arnisdale at 11 and met up with the others. We set off just after 11 up some very steep ground, and one section of scree, before making the summit at about 2.45. I got the champagne which I had lugged all the way up (maybe that was why I was going so slowly) and celebrated the compleation in the usual style, with booze & loads of photographs. We left at 3.15 am and got back to Arnisdale at about 5.30. I met Lee at the car and we drove back to Ratagan and then on to the Cluanie for a celebration dinner. Thanks everyone for a great day.
I will not be doing another round, & neither will I be climbing another list of mountains again. Real mountaineering starts now!
May 11: Took Lee back to the Cluanie, to meet Andy & Joele who were taking him b to Inverness Airport to catch the flight back to Gatwick. I headed for Am Bahtach set off at 11.00, no point in starting too early. I was going very slowly, clearly I had completed just in time. I put my over trousers on as it started snowing (!) I discovered that I could not do both zips up to the top. Clearly I had put some inches on the waist line since I had last worn them about 6 months ago. I Passed a pair of green willies en route to the top, but no sign of the owner. I still cannot work out the reason for their abandonment. I got back to the car at about 4.15.
May 12: A beautiful day, drove to Totaig. I walked along the coastal path to Glenelg for a while, and then went into a broch just off the path, quite big with a very low entrance. I managed to crack my skull on the doorway on the way out. Painful. Walked back to the car and then drove to Glenelg, near to the ferry terminal. I read my book and basked in the sun. I saw a sea Eagle and chatted to the locals. Back to Ratagan.
May 13: Decide to climb Sgurr Na Moraich at the Morvich end of Glen Licht. Very steep ascent, started at 11.45, summit at 2.30 in another snow shower. I then descend by following the course of the Allt a Chruinn, I then followed the path back to the road, and got back to the car at 5.15.
May 14: I decided to return home a day early. I left Ratagan at 9.15, Stirling at 1.15, than home 10 pm, a very good journey, no hold ups, amazing.
May 9: Left Ratagan at 9.05. Arrived GlenBrittle at 10.45. Set off for Sgurr Dearg at about 11, arrived at Inn Pinn at 2.30, after a lunch. Started climbing at 3, on top at 4, then started for home at 4.30, in Glen Brittle at 7.45, very cold and strong wind. Dinner at Sligachan at 8.30, back to Ratagan at 11 after an abortive trip to Cluanie.
May 10: Left Ratagan at 10 en route for Glenelg to drop Lee off as his knee had not recovered. Got held up by a herd of cattle just outside the village, who were being herded in an unusual way~from the herdsman’s car. Not surprisingly this did not work very well and they took ages to pass by. We dropped lee & my car at the ferry terminal car park, and we arrived at Arnisdale at 11 and met up with the others. We set off just after 11 up some very steep ground, and one section of scree, before making the summit at about 2.45. I got the champagne which I had lugged all the way up (maybe that was why I was going so slowly) and celebrated the compleation in the usual style, with booze & loads of photographs. We left at 3.15 am and got back to Arnisdale at about 5.30. I met Lee at the car and we drove back to Ratagan and then on to the Cluanie for a celebration dinner. Thanks everyone for a great day.
I will not be doing another round, & neither will I be climbing another list of mountains again. Real mountaineering starts now!
May 11: Took Lee back to the Cluanie, to meet Andy & Joele who were taking him b to Inverness Airport to catch the flight back to Gatwick. I headed for Am Bahtach set off at 11.00, no point in starting too early. I was going very slowly, clearly I had completed just in time. I put my over trousers on as it started snowing (!) I discovered that I could not do both zips up to the top. Clearly I had put some inches on the waist line since I had last worn them about 6 months ago. I Passed a pair of green willies en route to the top, but no sign of the owner. I still cannot work out the reason for their abandonment. I got back to the car at about 4.15.
May 12: A beautiful day, drove to Totaig. I walked along the coastal path to Glenelg for a while, and then went into a broch just off the path, quite big with a very low entrance. I managed to crack my skull on the doorway on the way out. Painful. Walked back to the car and then drove to Glenelg, near to the ferry terminal. I read my book and basked in the sun. I saw a sea Eagle and chatted to the locals. Back to Ratagan.
May 13: Decide to climb Sgurr Na Moraich at the Morvich end of Glen Licht. Very steep ascent, started at 11.45, summit at 2.30 in another snow shower. I then descend by following the course of the Allt a Chruinn, I then followed the path back to the road, and got back to the car at 5.15.
May 14: I decided to return home a day early. I left Ratagan at 9.15, Stirling at 1.15, than home 10 pm, a very good journey, no hold ups, amazing.
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