Creag Meagaidh and pals in the mist

Statistics

Area: Loch Lochy to Loch Laggan

Munro’s: Beinn a’Chaorainn (Glen Spean), Beinn Teallach, Carn Liath (Creag Meagaidh), Creag Meagaidh, Stob Poite Coire Ardair

Date walked: 26/06/2011

Time taken: 7.5 hours

Distance: 28 km

Ascent: 1800m

The Route

Introduction

Well the weekend of the eagerly anticipated Walkhighlands Roy Bridge meet had arrived. As usual when I have a weekend planned I end up having to drive hundreds of miles for work on the Friday before and this Friday was to be no exception. I was in Paisley ay 0930 and was given work to do in Aberdeen. After a long day driving (not far of 500 miles) me and Brian arrived at Roy Bridge at about 2230 on the Friday night. Brian was just up for a weekend away and doesn’t do the Munro’s. So we settled in for an evening’s drinking and chatting with all the guys and dolls on the meet and finally got chucked out the bar at approximately 0130. It was now time for bed ready for a good walk in the morning.

The Walk

After a restless short sleep I was up at 0730 and quickly ready for the days walk with Danny, Ian and Tam. Ian and Tam were driving up from Glasgow this morning and were due to arrive at 0800. I had planned to walk the Creag Meagaidh 5 Munro’s taking the opportunity to have a car at the start and the end to walk. So after meeting Tam and Ian we set of dropping one car at the end of the walk and driving the other to the start just 1km from the Laggan dam. So once we were kitted up we were on our way around 0850.

It’s an easy walk along the forest track for 2km reaching a clearing which we cross, crossing the burn, and then follow the path round the edge of the forest before heading directly North for 3km to the summit of Beinn Teallach. The top 200m of ascent are in the clag and there are no views to be seen.

We now head North West for 1km to Tom Mor and down the hillside to the Bealach before heading South West for the steep climb up to the Beinn a’Chaorainn ridge and after another 1km we are at the summit of our second Munro. That’s the two biggest climbs out the way and the walk should now get easier. Danny has had problems with his back aggravated by his choice of a different pack for this walk but is going ok. We have a good rest for replenishment and are soon on our way again.

We backtrack along the ridge and then head North East following the ridge around the corries. The views are meant to good but we can’t see anything for the clag. We head down to the Bealach but I inadvertently drop below the Bealach and add extra unwanted ascent to the climb up Creag Meagaidh hahaha. We persevered with the ascent and nearing Creag Meagaidh summit I start to get some cramp in my thighs. Not good. Thankfully this was to be short lived and did not resurface for the rest of the walk. We are soon at the summit of Munro number 3. There is a large cairn at the summit but I didn’t get a photo.

We continue on and pass a large cairn on the side of the crags. After 1km we follow the ridgeline North down to the Bealach and the short climb up to Stob Poite Coire Ardair our fourth Munro of the day. We continue on along the ridge for 2km to reach Min Choire and lo and behold we catch up with Paul, Helen and Nigel. They have come up to do the three Munros and take in the views hahaha, some chance with all this clag. After a quick chat we leave them and head on our way. I notice a large track heading North and point it out to Danny but he decides we will drop down over the ridge to the Bealach. The only problem is that we drop 20m below the Bealach and add more steep climb to the walk hahaha. It’s now a mad dash up the steep slope to try and stay ahead of Paul and Co or we will never hear the end of it hahaha. We just manage to appear on the ridge 10m ahead of the other group. That was a relief.

It’s now an easy 2km walk up and down to the top of the final Munro Carn Liath. We stop for a good replenishment before the final mad dash off the hillside. Paul and Co catch up and follow us down but we go down the hillside quite quickly and after a boggy steep track through the forest near the bottom we are on the path out and arrive at the car at 16.22

That was a good walk with great company. Another 5 bagged. It was now back to the hostel quick shower, 40 winks and then a good meal, more drink and a great evening of entertainment. Superb