Got the bus to Inveruglas visitor centre. Headed along the A82 and turned up onto the tarmac road. Left the road and headed North West for Ben Vane over boggy ground till I eventually found the path. Zig zagged up the steep path up over a few false summits before reaching the summit of Ben Vane. Returned the same way. The day was warm with spells of sunshine & my first solo walk in a while.
Hungover we awoke to steve cooking bacon and egg rolls, nice wan steve. Gear together, forecast looking okay, we set off for North. Quick stop off in Comrie for tins then back on the road. Before we knew it we were at the corran ferry and then over the other side by the time the lads jumped oot the car, much to the amusement of the other motorists who were abit like ‘whit these boys aw aboot. Over on the Morvern Peninsula we were awe struck by the scenery. Passed dirt bikers down the glen, hope the feckers werenae going to the bothy, we thought. Arrived at the bothy and made ourselves at home. Walked around Loch Tearnait in the evening before back for scran, tunes and banter throughout the night.
The next again day the weather was very grim so the plans for heading down to Glensanda Quarry were quashed. We returned to the car and headed to Lochaline to the wee shop for some more beers and food. We thought about where to go next, even getting the short ferry across to the isle of Mull. In the end we headed back in the car for a road trip, back North on the A884 & West on the A861 via Strontian, Resipole, Salen, & Loch Moidart. We stopped off at Castle Tioram, a ruined castle that sits on the tidal island Eilean Tioram in Loch Moidart. Then my old man text me the Hibs result. Other lads didnae want to ken the result, But there was a lad with a Hearts jacket on. Eventually told the lads the result, much to the delight of the boy and his auld man behind him. Boyd scored for Killie to put Hibs in the play offs. We stopped further North at Glenuig where we had coffee and bumped into a good jambo, Steves mate from Uni who was kayaking in the area. From North we had nice views to over to Rum & Eigg & eventually headed East to Lochailort & Glenfinnan. Stopped off at the Ben Nevis inn at Glen Nevis where we phoned a few hostels nearby. It was very busy but we eventually found space at Strathfillan wigwams at Auchtertyre Farm on the West Highland Way at Tyndrum. We drove down and booked a wee cabin for the night. Think we lied and said there was 4 of us instead of 5 to get a cheaper wigwam. Deep banter flowed in oor wee Tyndrum shack about consciousness, the meaning of life over more beers.
(12.5.14)
Woke up wondering what tae dae. We ended up driving to Bridge of Orchy and doing a low level trek in Glen Orchy. Later on we did a night time trek following the West Highland Way to Tyndrum. More bevy that evening before travelling back to Edinburgh the next again day.
This winter skills course was organised by Sean Barry on behalf of his company Bridge 8 and in conjunction with Edinburgh Outdoor Education Dept. We set off from the tourist path at the Ben Lawers car park en route towards Beinn Ghlas. We looked at assessing the differences in the snow pack and also practiced ice axe arrests. The snow was very deep and difficult to walk in. At around 600m the instructor decided it would be unwise to go any further. The snow was heavy and the wind was strong. We built snow holes before we headed back.
(11.1.14) Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve , 3hrs, 540m
Very early start as Lucas picked me up around 5.30. Forecast wasn’t great,clag base around 600m. Took the minor road at Fersit and parked N of An Dubh Lochan. Headed over the scrub and the fence in a S direction to the minor summit of Creag Fhinaclach above Loch Treig. Then we headed over and scrambled up Meall Cian Dearg via the path. The ridge became broad again as we headed SW climbing gently up to the top at 978m before curving above Stob a’Choire Mheadhoin 1105m. Saw a group of ptarmigan but apart from that views where zero as we were in thick clag. It wa cold on the summit with a light drizzle. Again I worried about tinnitus but I was okay. A couple of pics at the summit then we descended to the bealach then followed the steep path to the summit of Munro number 2 Stob Coire Easain 1115m. Couple of pics then descended back the way we came NE.
Another
early start with Lucas picking me up 6sh. Parked at the Lawers hotel &
walked along to Machuim farm and then followed the track up on the east side of
the Lawers burn. Headed N up through the morning clag to an inversion. As we
climbed the grassy slopes there was great views over to An Stuc & Ben
Lawers as the clag poured along the slopes whisping around giving a spectacular
sight. The summit of Meall Greigh 1001m, was clag free and above the summits.
Few pictures then we descend along the ridge W to the bealach of Lairig Innein.
Lucas realised he didn’t have his GPS so ran back up & luckily found it at
the summit. I felt okay but abit concerned about my tinnitus and ear pressure.
Climbed the slopes NW then SW onto the ridge which curves to the left and into
the clag. Hit the summit, Meall Garbh,1118 m then we had a quick check of the
GPS. I took a bearing then we headed to the next bealach SW. Had something to
eat before we prepared ourselves for the scramble. All fears were quickly
eroded as it turned out to be a great wee scramble. There was a faint
(6.11.2016) Ben Vane & Ben Ledi, 23km. 7hrs. 1,067m ascent Ptarmigan November Meet high tea was at the Lade Inn, just outside Callande...
