of summer....I don't just mean the weather either.
Claire got in on the (delayed as per usual) train from London on Sunday evening and I wandered up to the station to meet her. When we got back to the flat and had tea and cheese and biscuits it was about 9.30; and was going seriously dark. Likewise, the daylight of early morning is receding as well today which is not good either...the daylight is starting to draw in a bit.
Have got SO much to do for the start of next term - as well as hopefully trying out the new bike and doing some running etc...should be a busy couple of weeks.
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Monday 22 August 2011
Beinn Dearg (Inverlael)..
that is how it is known as there are lots of Beinn Deargs in Scotland..this one I have to say is probably the best..
As can be seen from the first photo, the new bike Andruil was used for this walk. The 3km ride (which was largely uphill) was actually quite hard - I needed to get the saddle height right and also get used to riding without clip pedals; I rode in in my walking boots. There was a nice fence where the estate track stops and the stalkers path begins and I left him chained to a fence. The path up Gleann na Squaib is well made and divides after a very impressive waterfall.
As can be seen it was a lovely morning - this was the view from the stalkers path up to Beinn Dearg (R) and Meall nan Ceapraichean (L), two hills I would do later in the day. At the fork in the path I headed left - up towards Eididh nan Clachan Geala. The path peters out as it approaches the Lochan under the hill - however it is only a short, steep pull onto its ridge and then the final climb to the summit. Those who have looked at the picasa folder: https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BeinnDeargAndTheInverlaelHills will have noted that it is an amazing viewpoint. The journey out to Seana Bhraigh would be possible but one would need to wait for a clear day or be VERY good at navigating across peat hagged deserted wastelands...or of course do it in winter!!
From the top I dropped down to the col under Meall nan Ceapraichean and ascended steeply up the top of Ceann Garbh, before making the minimal climb to the summit. Having 2 munro's and 1 top under my belt seemed to be a good stop for lunch so I did. I was also experiencing trouble with the knee brace on my right knee. It was chafing a lot on my knee...I ended up taking it off and walking without it - which actually went surprisingly well...we shall see.
After lunch it was a descent to the 3 way col at the head of Gleann na Squaib and Glen Lair; before heading up off the steep scree of Cona' Mheall. The ascent was not too bad, and I picked an even better line coming down and was back at the col under Beinn Dearg in about 45 mins. I decided to go up and down Beinn Dearg, to descend the stalkers path back to the gate rather than go down the long NW ridge; so it was a stiff clamber up and down before I was able to have a second lunch and toddle off down the stalkers path.
Two people who had been staying at the bunkhouse ran past me with about 1km to go until the gate...I was SO gutted that they also had bikes as I wouldn't have the pleasure of blasting past them as they ran back to the road...they were still getting ready when I arrived to collect Andruil...I think I lost them in about 100yards...7mins (easing off at the end) for the 3 km was a good whizz down...
A lovely day; shame Claire wasn't able to share it....more hills to go back to.
As can be seen from the first photo, the new bike Andruil was used for this walk. The 3km ride (which was largely uphill) was actually quite hard - I needed to get the saddle height right and also get used to riding without clip pedals; I rode in in my walking boots. There was a nice fence where the estate track stops and the stalkers path begins and I left him chained to a fence. The path up Gleann na Squaib is well made and divides after a very impressive waterfall.
From the top I dropped down to the col under Meall nan Ceapraichean and ascended steeply up the top of Ceann Garbh, before making the minimal climb to the summit. Having 2 munro's and 1 top under my belt seemed to be a good stop for lunch so I did. I was also experiencing trouble with the knee brace on my right knee. It was chafing a lot on my knee...I ended up taking it off and walking without it - which actually went surprisingly well...we shall see.
After lunch it was a descent to the 3 way col at the head of Gleann na Squaib and Glen Lair; before heading up off the steep scree of Cona' Mheall. The ascent was not too bad, and I picked an even better line coming down and was back at the col under Beinn Dearg in about 45 mins. I decided to go up and down Beinn Dearg, to descend the stalkers path back to the gate rather than go down the long NW ridge; so it was a stiff clamber up and down before I was able to have a second lunch and toddle off down the stalkers path.
Two people who had been staying at the bunkhouse ran past me with about 1km to go until the gate...I was SO gutted that they also had bikes as I wouldn't have the pleasure of blasting past them as they ran back to the road...they were still getting ready when I arrived to collect Andruil...I think I lost them in about 100yards...7mins (easing off at the end) for the 3 km was a good whizz down...
A lovely day; shame Claire wasn't able to share it....more hills to go back to.
Friday 19 August 2011
An amazing day on the Inverlael hills....
will blog about it in detail later...pix are here: https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BeinnDeargAndTheInverlaelHills
Oh, and Andruil got to have some fun on the 3km descent back to the car from the gate at the edge of the forest...which took about 10mins (easing up at the end)...4 munro's and 1 top done today....and some amazing views... the scale of this place is mind-blowing..
Oh, and Andruil got to have some fun on the 3km descent back to the car from the gate at the edge of the forest...which took about 10mins (easing up at the end)...4 munro's and 1 top done today....and some amazing views... the scale of this place is mind-blowing..
Thursday 18 August 2011
Western Fannich hills....
Mum sent me a text when we got back from the last trip...saying about how one forgets the scale of these hills....today brought that point home to me.
Nowhere else in the UK would 10 miles and 3850 feet of ascent be considered a relatively short day..I wanted to start with a quite short day and also the forecast for tomorrow (Fri) was much better so I wanted to be fresh to do a sizeable contribution tomorrow..also; these hills were outstanding on the Munro's list!!
Anyhow; I set off nice and promptly after another breakfast from Ian; only to realise about half-way there I had forgotten my camera...oops...so; take two and I was parking up at the end of Loch a' Bhraoin - this time armed with midgy face net and chicken noodle smelling repellent!
Don't know if I mentioned this last time - Claire brought some repellent in Gairloch - it works but it smells like weak chicken noodle soup; something we both noticed on our stroll in from Poolewe on that trip...anyway...it works which is good.
Midge net soon off and I was soon squelching through the path on the way up the slopes of Toman Coinich; which is the top in between the two hills I was doing today. The path picked quite a clever up through some rocky outcrops which deposited me (very sweatily as it was completely still) on the plateau of Drum Reidh. Once on this plateau the angle eases off massively and walking becomes underfoot as opposed to under ankle. There is also a small path up here that I followed and eventually made my way to the col between Toman Coinich and A' Chailleach (which is the mountain in this picture). I
left my sack on the col and panted up A'Chailleach, an ascent of only 400' or so. I met two Scottish blokes near the top who said that they had disturbed an eagle which had flown off - and the midges. I
can't comment on the first - can on the second so it was a quick run down and back to the sack. The ascent of Toman Coinich was, frankly, not much less than that of the mountain. It was soon done and after a country slice or two I set off for the last climb of the day - Sgurr Breac. This was longer, although only around 500'. My timing was excellent as I arrived on top at lunchtime - so I did. The mizzle began as well and continued all the way down - except for a half hour burst of quite steady rain - enough to get me into overtrousers anyway. The walk back down the stalkers path that Claire and I had used on our Sgurr nan Each/Sgurr nan Clach Geala walk seemed longer than I remembered. I had felt full of beans on top of Sgurr Breac and had half considered throwing in another 2000' of climbing and 2 more mountains - luckily I did not as I felt a bit more tired than I expected on the descent. It was quite hard to keep a rhythm up as the path was very wet and quite slippery....Having said all that the round took me under 5 1/2 hrs which is pretty good....and the forecast for tomorrow is quite encouraging as well!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/WesternFannichHills
pix here....
Nowhere else in the UK would 10 miles and 3850 feet of ascent be considered a relatively short day..I wanted to start with a quite short day and also the forecast for tomorrow (Fri) was much better so I wanted to be fresh to do a sizeable contribution tomorrow..also; these hills were outstanding on the Munro's list!!
Anyhow; I set off nice and promptly after another breakfast from Ian; only to realise about half-way there I had forgotten my camera...oops...so; take two and I was parking up at the end of Loch a' Bhraoin - this time armed with midgy face net and chicken noodle smelling repellent!
Don't know if I mentioned this last time - Claire brought some repellent in Gairloch - it works but it smells like weak chicken noodle soup; something we both noticed on our stroll in from Poolewe on that trip...anyway...it works which is good.
Midge net soon off and I was soon squelching through the path on the way up the slopes of Toman Coinich; which is the top in between the two hills I was doing today. The path picked quite a clever up through some rocky outcrops which deposited me (very sweatily as it was completely still) on the plateau of Drum Reidh. Once on this plateau the angle eases off massively and walking becomes underfoot as opposed to under ankle. There is also a small path up here that I followed and eventually made my way to the col between Toman Coinich and A' Chailleach (which is the mountain in this picture). I
left my sack on the col and panted up A'Chailleach, an ascent of only 400' or so. I met two Scottish blokes near the top who said that they had disturbed an eagle which had flown off - and the midges. I
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/WesternFannichHills
pix here....
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Back in the NW...
for another few days - with poor Claire having to work I am on my own; although Andruil (the new bike) is with me.
Not sure what to do exactly yet - there are some outlying munro's to tidy up; however the forecast is a bit iffy although Fri looks pretty decent - might be the best day for a long, challenging walk...
More to follow
Wednesday 10 August 2011
I need a name....
However, I still don't have a name....PLEASE can someone help my useless owner give me a name...
Thanks..
The new bike
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Testing the boots...
so, one consequence of breaking my left heel years ago is that I could do with heavy boots in summer as well as winter - except they are MEGA heavy and also quite hot...so I have been using trainers (my trail shoes got lots of use on the Scotland trip) and they are brilliant...although I have a limp like Herr Flick of the Gestapo (type 'Allo 'Allo into You Tube if you don't get that reference) every morning...so the solution presented itself on the way back from Scotland. Nevisport in Fort Bill had lovely trainers with high ankles. I got a pair and decided to test them out before I go back north next Wednesday. That, and the gorgeous forecast coupled with an appalling weather forecast tomorrow and for the rest of the week as well!!!
As you can see - there have been worse days.
So, I parked at Mardale Head and wandered along the lakeshore for about 1km until I left and ascended up Rough Crag. Wainwright described this as the best way onto High Street, and he is (as usual) probably right....Blea Tarn (in the first picture above) looked splendid and the view from the top was amazing (as can be seen from the second picture)..
From the summit, I descended over Mardale Ill Bell and dropped down to the Nan Bield Pass, the head of which is in the last picture. As can be seen the path is well made - it seems to have been totally reconstructed in point of fact. This will make navigation easier in the mist/winter but does seem to be a bit of overkill. As I was feeling really good and the day was lovely I made the 400' ascent onto Harter Fell, where I soaked up the views of the Howgill Fells and distant Ingleborough and Pendle Hill; oh and I scoffed my cheese sandwiches as well!!
The descent down Gatesgarth was lovely as usual - it seemed busy to me although given that it is the summer holidays it was probably not that busy. I reckon I saw about 20 people today - and by saw I mean passed, overtook and was able to say "hello" etc to....considerably more than Claire and I saw during all our days in the NW Highlands put together.....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/HighStreetAndHarterFellAGloriousDayInSummer
go check out..
As you can see - there have been worse days.
From the summit, I descended over Mardale Ill Bell and dropped down to the Nan Bield Pass, the head of which is in the last picture. As can be seen the path is well made - it seems to have been totally reconstructed in point of fact. This will make navigation easier in the mist/winter but does seem to be a bit of overkill. As I was feeling really good and the day was lovely I made the 400' ascent onto Harter Fell, where I soaked up the views of the Howgill Fells and distant Ingleborough and Pendle Hill; oh and I scoffed my cheese sandwiches as well!!
The descent down Gatesgarth was lovely as usual - it seemed busy to me although given that it is the summer holidays it was probably not that busy. I reckon I saw about 20 people today - and by saw I mean passed, overtook and was able to say "hello" etc to....considerably more than Claire and I saw during all our days in the NW Highlands put together.....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/HighStreetAndHarterFellAGloriousDayInSummer
go check out..
Sunday 7 August 2011
A quiet (ish) weekend...
and yes the weather has not been great - that said Claire and I went for a nice walk by the River Eden this evening....her leg is healing up slowly but surely; however Scotland next weekend will come too soon. We are going up at Bank holiday and I am going up the week after next so all is not too bad...
...no new bike as of yet - still needs a name. Aiming to do some more exercise this week - running, walking, cycling and maybe even some climbing. Forecast is the usual August rubbish but there we are....
...no new bike as of yet - still needs a name. Aiming to do some more exercise this week - running, walking, cycling and maybe even some climbing. Forecast is the usual August rubbish but there we are....
Thursday 4 August 2011
New pictures...
with more space I am uploading everything (or almost everything) from my camera....whole lot of new shots from our day on Ben Wyvis.... https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SummerOnBenWyvis#
Weather has crapped out yet again today - back to persistent 'I'm going to last most of the day' rain that was common in June. On the plus side; I have ordered a new mountain bike - who will need a name at some point...might make that a competition!!
Weather has crapped out yet again today - back to persistent 'I'm going to last most of the day' rain that was common in June. On the plus side; I have ordered a new mountain bike - who will need a name at some point...might make that a competition!!
Wednesday 3 August 2011
Picasa upgraded....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751
this should get you to my home page.....I will upload the vast majority of my pictures onto here....and will link it from various blogs as well....
this should get you to my home page.....I will upload the vast majority of my pictures onto here....and will link it from various blogs as well....
The final day in the Fannich hills...
yeah ok - sorry it has been a bit late; getting home and sorting out the mess from a week away has taken some time; plus yesterday I went to the west with Claire (she is working there this week) and went for a gentle 2mile run on the coast - and did some reading and lesson prep stuff.
I also still haven't brought any more space on Picasa either - so not many pix as of yet; they will be up tomorrow. The ones that are up are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SgurrMorWithClaire
This one was from the wed walk and is Sgurr Mor (at 1110m the highest point of the Fannich range) with Carn na Criche to its left. Our walk goes left to right and off into the distance!!
Well, a nice early start at the bunkhouse saw us parked up and ready to go at 8.10 which is pretty good. The forecast was good and the mist was starting to clear off the hills as we followed an excellent stalkers path into the hills. Claire's leg was
still causing her problems and was heavily strapped [later consulting with a physio meant that she shouldn't really have done this work - mega props for having the guts to do it my lovely] and the good walking underfoot was great. Regrettably, it couldn't go on for ever and we soon got a junction where we had a choice of paths, a walkers path which we knew went to Loch a' Mhadaidh (our first destination) and the stalkers path which went off towards a ridge. We took the walkers path - which turned out to be an error; although it didn't become apparent for another couple of hours.
Our path was narrow and did vanish once in a while, however it deposited us at the Loch which is at the heart of the range. Our next objective was the col between Carn na Criche and Meall a' Chrasgaidh (the final peak we had ascended on wed). We were initially really lucky to pick a small but very usable path through the heather to the base of the corrie headwall, where a gruesomely steep and quite midgy ascent would put us on the main ridge and MUCH easier going. The last part of this ascent was really tough for Claire with her injured leg, and it was much to our relief and somewhat to our amazement that we met a good traversing path coming in from the ridge to our right. Looking down from the top it linked up with the stalkers path on the ridge of Creag Raineach Mor (a 600m peak next to the col). With hindsight we should clearly have stayed on the stalkers path.....it's easy to say it is a wonderful thing but I should probably have trusted my instincts which were to use this ridge in the first place (when planning the route at the bunkhouse). Not a great decision, especially for poor Claire who suffered a lot with her leg...
Once on the path; it was a weary wander up to the summit of Carn na Criche, where a lunch stop in the sun helped no end. A steady plod up Sgurr Mor led to the main decision of the day - descend over Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich (the way we had gone down on Sunday) or go further along the ridge - very easy walking but an unsure descent off the Belach Ban. Claire chose the latter (to her immense credit) and we descended and then re-ascended (not much) over Meall nan Peithirean before a final drag onto the munro of Meall Gorm. From there our route lay over its SE top and thence to the Belach. The sight of a path starting next to Loch Gorm and taking us through the first part of the heather bash was VERY welcome...and it made a lot of difference. When it vanished it was hard going; however our decision to head to the river was correct (for once on this trip) as we picked up a small path along it which sped our progress. Once we had hit ground we knew from Sunday I pushed on ahead so as to walk/hitch the 2 miles along the road to get the car (oh yeah - missed this bit out, by committing to do more walking Claire knowingly risked adding 2 more miles on as well). Luckily I got a lift almost immediately and was able to be at the car park when Claire arrived (not that long after me it must be said).
The day did have one final good part...upon arriving back at the bunkhouse, Ian told us that we could have the second b and b bedroom, complete with its own bathroom and showers.....RESULT!!
A fantastic end to a great trip....even the drive back, we took the scenic route down Loch Ness, the next day went ok....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SgurrMorWithClaire
This one was from the wed walk and is Sgurr Mor (at 1110m the highest point of the Fannich range) with Carn na Criche to its left. Our walk goes left to right and off into the distance!!
Well, a nice early start at the bunkhouse saw us parked up and ready to go at 8.10 which is pretty good. The forecast was good and the mist was starting to clear off the hills as we followed an excellent stalkers path into the hills. Claire's leg was
still causing her problems and was heavily strapped [later consulting with a physio meant that she shouldn't really have done this work - mega props for having the guts to do it my lovely] and the good walking underfoot was great. Regrettably, it couldn't go on for ever and we soon got a junction where we had a choice of paths, a walkers path which we knew went to Loch a' Mhadaidh (our first destination) and the stalkers path which went off towards a ridge. We took the walkers path - which turned out to be an error; although it didn't become apparent for another couple of hours.
Our path was narrow and did vanish once in a while, however it deposited us at the Loch which is at the heart of the range. Our next objective was the col between Carn na Criche and Meall a' Chrasgaidh (the final peak we had ascended on wed). We were initially really lucky to pick a small but very usable path through the heather to the base of the corrie headwall, where a gruesomely steep and quite midgy ascent would put us on the main ridge and MUCH easier going. The last part of this ascent was really tough for Claire with her injured leg, and it was much to our relief and somewhat to our amazement that we met a good traversing path coming in from the ridge to our right. Looking down from the top it linked up with the stalkers path on the ridge of Creag Raineach Mor (a 600m peak next to the col). With hindsight we should clearly have stayed on the stalkers path.....it's easy to say it is a wonderful thing but I should probably have trusted my instincts which were to use this ridge in the first place (when planning the route at the bunkhouse). Not a great decision, especially for poor Claire who suffered a lot with her leg...
Once on the path; it was a weary wander up to the summit of Carn na Criche, where a lunch stop in the sun helped no end. A steady plod up Sgurr Mor led to the main decision of the day - descend over Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich (the way we had gone down on Sunday) or go further along the ridge - very easy walking but an unsure descent off the Belach Ban. Claire chose the latter (to her immense credit) and we descended and then re-ascended (not much) over Meall nan Peithirean before a final drag onto the munro of Meall Gorm. From there our route lay over its SE top and thence to the Belach. The sight of a path starting next to Loch Gorm and taking us through the first part of the heather bash was VERY welcome...and it made a lot of difference. When it vanished it was hard going; however our decision to head to the river was correct (for once on this trip) as we picked up a small path along it which sped our progress. Once we had hit ground we knew from Sunday I pushed on ahead so as to walk/hitch the 2 miles along the road to get the car (oh yeah - missed this bit out, by committing to do more walking Claire knowingly risked adding 2 more miles on as well). Luckily I got a lift almost immediately and was able to be at the car park when Claire arrived (not that long after me it must be said).
The day did have one final good part...upon arriving back at the bunkhouse, Ian told us that we could have the second b and b bedroom, complete with its own bathroom and showers.....RESULT!!
A fantastic end to a great trip....even the drive back, we took the scenic route down Loch Ness, the next day went ok....
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