Gulvain

Gulvain   14^th June 2009

Another fine morning – too good to waste – and not too tired out by yesterday’s exertions on Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach – so Anne and I set off along Loch Eil after a leisurely start. 

We parked on the old road at Kinlocheil just after 11am, and cycled up Gleann Fionnlighe.  The track was pretty good for the first couple of miles or so, but gradually deteriorated beyond Wauchan.  

We managed to keep going pretty well to the foot of the mountain (left), where we abandoned the bikes at about 12noon. 

Almost immediately, the path started to climb, directly at first, then up a series of zig-zags on the steep south ridge.  The day was warm and quite humid, and after our late start, we needed to stop for some lunch about half-way up where the gradient eased a little to form a little grassy platform overlooking the glen. 

Further up, the path became rougher, with grassy slopes gradually becoming rockier, then levelling out once over a minor top.  An easy walk along a broad grassy ridge led us to the south summit (961m) at 1440, where a group were resting around the cairn.  We didn’t stop there, but continued down and along the broad summit ridge (right), then  up a lovely little rocky arête to the highest top at 987m. 

We rested there for 30 minutes, enjoying the views all around, until a light shower encouraged us to head back the way we had come.  

The descent was steep, so we took our time, reaching the bikes just after 6pm, 2.5 hours after leaving the summit.

The cycle run back down the glen was a joy!

Cycle 10km, walk 9km, climb 110m, time 7hrs 50 mins.

Munro 231, Tops 385-386