Ring of Steall...

Yesterday (30th Aug 2018) me and Dougal finally made the drive North up to

Glen Nevis. After weeks of chatting about it we decided that it was the best day to do the mighty Ring of Steall. Hoping that with the summer holidays over and it being midweek the route would be less busy.

Myself on the Steall bridge...

Making good time up by Loch Lomond and through Glencoe we arrived in the carpark just shortly before 10:00. We immediately donned rucksacks and headed off along the track towards Steall Falls. After passing a group tourists fully clad in midge spacesuits (totally unnecessary) we were up against our first objective of the day. The Steall wire bridge. With one wire for feet and one for each hand we bounced across the river with little difficulties as the paparazzi watched on. From here it was just a short walk to Steall falls. Here we had to boulder hop across the river below the falls before reaching the swamp of a foot path from which our day would eventually commence.

Dougal on the Steall bridge...

With the swamp now behind us we were now on the excellent path zig-zagging South-West before reaching the South ridge of An Gearanach. Once here we passed a curious couple of chaps making sandwiches and dressed in their finest denim. An initial slog to start with we reached the summit at 11:45. Within two hours of leaving the car. Our first Munro of the day at a height of 982 metres. The English translation of this peak, apparently, is 'The Complainer' and I can assure you that there was a complaint or two on the ascent of this particular mountain.

Dougal on the crest of An Garbhanach...

Once here we had a quick break to refuel and allow Dougal to eat his devilishly expensive, green welly acquired, beef and horseradish pieces. Devastating when you forget to pack your home made lunch! With fantastic visibility all around we set off once more. Heading South we sampled our first scrambling of the day over the top of An Garbanach before arriving down at the bealach a Chadha Riabhaich. From this low point it was a fairly straight forward ascent before we arrived on our second Munro of the day at 12:32. At 981 metres Stob Coire a Chairn is Scotlands 171st highest mountain. From the top we were rewarded with excellent views in every direction. Able to make out all of the Mamore Munros and with a fantastic view to the North of the mighty Ben Nevis.

Looking back to An Gearanach from ascent of Am Bodach...

From the summit we headed South-West descending to the base of our third Munro of the day, Am Bodach 1,032 metres. A steep path with the odd piece of grade 1 scrambling thrown in we make quick progress and arrive on the summit at 13:22. Within an hour of leaving our last one. We have now managed to bag three Munros and done a fair chunk of the route within three and a half hours of leaving the car. We set off this time heading West-North-West.

Dougal approaching the 'Devils Ridge'...

Myself having a leap on the 'Devils Ridge'...

Our next summit is unfortunately not a Munro but a Munro top. Sitting at the lofty height of 1,001 metres Sgor an Iubhair was demoted in 1997. You can thank those pesky buggers at the Scottish Mountaineering Club! A separate mountain and a sure Munro in my eyes. Anyhow, we manage to reach the summit at 13:59 where we stop for a well deserved second lunch (Merry and Pippin would oblige). From here the views West to Stob Ban really highlight the rugged beauty of this mountain. One for the future. Looking south the serrated ridge of the Aonach Eagach is unmistakeable. We now have the menacingly titled 'Devils Ridge' between us and our final summit of the day.

Putting a cairn on Sgurr a' Mhaim...

Sticking to the crest of this ridge provides the odd move and short section of classic grade 1 scrambling. Although the scrambling is of good quality it is much tamer than the name would imply. We make quick progress and take on the difficulties with the odd tiger leap before arriving at the Bealach a' Chip. From here we start the last steep ascent of the day (or so we think) and arrive at the summit of Sgurr a' Mhaim at 14:53. At a height of 1,099 metres this is our fourth, and highest, Munro of the day. We sit down and have a ponder about the descent from here and back to the car. We decide that the North-West ridge is probably the safest descent. Don't quite fancy falling down An Steall waterfall today.

After placing the customary stone on the summit cairn we start our descent of this quartzite capped mountain and make our way slowly back down to Glen Nevis. We eventually arrive at the lower falls car park some time later. After watching a couple of hippies taking a lunge off the Nevis falls we begin our 3km trek over undulating terrain along the minor road back towards the car park. We arrive shortly after 17:00, 7 hours and 40 minutes after leaving the car earlier in the day.

Descending the quartzite capped summit of Sgurr a' Mhaim...

Another classic Scottish mountain day in the bag. Perhaps only bettered if it was in winter conditions.

Distance - 16km's.
Height Gain - 1,600 metres.
Munros (4) - An Gearanach 982m
                     Stob Choire a' Chairn 981m
                     Am Bodach 1,032m
                     Sgurr a' Mhaim 1,099m
Time taken: 7 hours 40 minutes from car to car.

Meall nan Tarmachan...

Boys at the start of the track...

This Saturday just past (25th August 2018) me and Aj finally managed to take the boys up their first Munro! After managing their way up a host of local hills like Ben Bowie, Conic Hill and the fine Ben Ann we decided it was time. We decided that Meall nan Tarmachan 1,044 metres would be the ideal Munro due to the high starting elevation and that the walk was roughly around 7km.

Boys at the summit of their first Munro...

We left the house and headed North up by Loch Lomond. Enjoying the views down the Loch before passing through Crianlarich and the Falls of Dochart before arriving at Ben Lawers car park shortly before 11am. We immediately got our bags on and headed West. Passing through some magnificent heather clad hills we slowly progressed upwards, one contour at a time. By the time the watch read 13:00 we were tucked down on the slopes eating lunch and enjoying the view down to Loch Tay. Once the boys had finished we set off and after a brief jaunt we had rounded the 700metre countour and headed Northwards up the broad ridge arriving at the South top at a height of 923 metres.

After another pit stop here for some water we started descending. When we finally arrived at the low point we stopped for some food to refuel and let the boys have a leg rest before the last steep ascent. From here we ascended quickly and finally reached the summit at 15:00. At 1,044 metres above sea level this makes it the 89th highest mountain in the British Isles. We were rewarded with extensive views in all directions. To the South-West, the sprawling Tarmachan ridge. To the South, running North-East, an extensive view of the totally unspoilt Loch Tay. A quick bite to eat, a stone put on the cairn and a couple of summit shots we decided that it was time to start descending.

We made quick time in descent. Mainly trying to keep up with the boys who decided that jumping and running was the best way to descend. We rolled past the end of the track towards the car park at 18:00. Six hours after we set off. With only one or two minor complaints about tired legs the boys did fantastic. The snacks certainly worked wonders.

A first Munro in the bag for the boys and hoping to add another soon...

Route profile...

Munro: Meall nan Tarmachan.
Distance: 7.5km.
Time: 6 hours.

Laying Crianlarich to Rest...

Josh on the summit of An Caisteal...

Monday just passed (20th August) myself and Josh headed up to Crianlarich to finally finish off the last two Munros in the group that I had left to do. These were An Caisteal (995 metres) and Beinn a' Chroin (942 metres). We caught the train from Helensburgh Upper and arrived in Crianlarich around 10am. After a quick roll and sausage (square) in the station tea room we made the trek through the local woodland and crossed the river Falloch to reach the foot of An Caisteal. Having been turned back from here earlier in the year with poor winter weather I was not about to be beat back a second time.

We contoured South-West around the mountain and climbed the steep North-Western slopes before finally reaching Twistin Hill and the long wide ridge leading to the summit of the first Munro. From the ridge we had grand views South-West to the Munro of Beinn Chabhair and views East to the mighty Ben More. We carried on along the ridge gradually gaining height and passing the castellated top which gives the mountain its name before we finally arrived on our first Munro of the day, An Caisteal.

Route taken...

Once on the summit we had some food and eyed up our next objective. Beinn a' Chroin. After we had eaten we headed South-South-East, descending down to the Bealach Buidhe which sits at an elevation of 805 metres. Once here we had a quick breather before heading up the steep Western edge of the mountain before following the undulating ridge to reach the true summit of Beinn a' Chroin and our second munro of the day. From here we headed North-East and picked up the descent path.

After a fairly quick descent we reached the coire floor and carried on along the boggy 'path' before picking up the new hydro/land rover track back to the tree line. A last crossing of the river Falloch we followed the track back through the local woodland and back to the main village of Crianlarich.

Once here we dropped in to the local pub to claim our free pints as we had taken photos of one another on the local hills. Well deserved, and needed.

After Work Wander up Beinn Chabhair...

Dougal below the summit...

Last month (6th July 2018) myself and Dougal managed to escaped work and headed for the hills. We decided to climb the Munro of Beinn Chabhair. We decided on this Munro as it was one that neither of us had climbed and it was within close proximity of work.

We parked up at the layby and headed up the land rover track alongside the Allt a' Chuillin. Once the land rover track had run out we headed up the steep North-East slopes to eventually reach the wide ridge and path which ascends up the other side of the mountain from Bheinn Ghlas. This was a welcome relief after the slog up the slopes and we finally reached the 933 metre summit and were rewarded with extensive views in all directions. Due to the sun being out, humidity being high and the watch reading the back of eight we decided to descend. We made quick progress back down the slopes and eventually reached the car roughly four hours after we set off and with another Munro in the bag.

Route taken...

Doggos Bag Their First Munro...

Doggos on approach to the summit...

Back in June (24th) myself and Jennifer managed to make the most of the sunny weather and decided to bag the outlying Munro of Beinn Bhuidhe. Beinn Bhuidhe is considered one of the Arrochar Alps' Munros but is separated from the main group by the long Glen Fyne. Sitting at the top of Loch Fyne the summit is 948 metres above sea level.

We parked up at the access point in Glen Fyne and headed up the West bank of the River Fyne. After 7km and a few jumps in the river by the dogs we reached the cottage at Inverchorochan. From here we headed West up the Allt na Faigh waterfall. Part way up the waterfall we found some rock pools which were perfect for the dogs to have a quick cool down in.

When we finally exited the waterfall we arrived at a small, flat clearing South-West of the summit and were faced with a steep climb before reaching the main summit ridge. Once along this we arrived at the summit and had some well deserved food whilst taking in the views from all directions. A first for both the doggos (Leon and Lola)

The route taken...

Once we arrived back at the clearing we made our way down the long (newly created) hydro track which heads down the West side of Newton Hill before reaching the glen floor and the long walk back to the car.

Family Jaunt up Ben Ann...

Joshua heading up, or down..?

Back in May (19th) me and Aj decided that we were due a family day out on the hills. Since the boys had already been up Ben Bowie and Conic Hill we settled on Ben Ann.
Ben Ann is a small mountain in the heart of the Trossachs National park and sits at an elevation of 454 metres.

We headed up the standard route and were soon rewarded with fantastic views down the length of Loch Katrine. Henry then treated the descent as a race and we were back in the car within an hour of leaving the summit.

North Coast 900...

Wooded shores above Loch Maree..

Back in April myself and Aj decided to finally take the boys on a road trip. It was decided that we would do the North Coast 500 with some added extras of passing through Glencoe and driving down the length of the Caledonian Canal.

We spent 5 days and 4 nights on the route and seen some fantastic sites. We camped the first night in Glen Shiel. Second night we stayed in the Torridon youth hostel. The third night we camped on the windy North coast at Durness and on the last night we stayed in a camping pod above Loch Ness. By the time we arrived home we had amassed 920 miles!

We each took far too many photos to put them all on here but I recommend you get out and experience the route for your self...

Camping pod above Loch Ness...