early 2003

"Any new blog posts", I hear you ask?  
"We haven't heard anything for a while!"  
"I though this was supposed to be about 'those last 50 Munros', but you seem to have got stuck at number 157!"


OK - life has been pretty busy over the last few months etc, etc, but now it's time to play catch up!


So, for starters, here's a resume of 2003 ...


2001 and 2002 had been good years, with 20 and 22 new Munros respectively.   2003 was the first of several slightly quieter years, but even so, it included 13 new Munros.

First outing was Beinn Dearg in Glen Tilt.  Back in 1985, I had stopped a few hundred metres short of the summit, exhausted after trotting along behind Conan Fischer's long legs in deep soft snow, so it was time to make amends.
  
This time (9th April 2003) Anne and I cycled about 4 miles up from Old Blair, through the forest and into the Allt Slannaidh as far as we could, then walked on up the land rover track onto the western slopes of Beinn a' Chait.


A nice easy outing for early in the season!  Gentle slopes and easy route-finding.  Returned down a zig-zag path to cross the Allt Sheicheachan, then rejoined our outward route.  Back to the car at 6pm (after repairing two punctures!)

Next day, refreshed by a comfortable B&B in Pitlochry, we cycled back up Glen Tilt, but this time continued up past Marble lodge to the foot of the All Craonidh.    Today's target was Carn a' Chlamain:  


Enjoyed a lovely walk anticlockwise around the horseshoe under clear blue skies, with good views in all directions. 


Broad tussocky ridges making easy walking, and a lovely cycle back down the glen in the evening.

A productive (and exhausting) week (Aug 2002)

In August, we had a German teenager friend, Dominik, staying with us. He was keen to do some climbing, so we headed up to Morvich campsite for a week or so.

The weather was excellent, so we were climbing almost every day ...

1st August:

Marjory and Roger joined us to climb Beinn Sgritheall from Arnisdale. Watched a sea eagle on thermals above the summit ridge.

2nd August:

Again, all 5 of us climber The Saddle (by the Forcan ridge), then to Sgurr na Sgine, descending by Faochag. Superb views.

3rd August:

Damp and drizzly morning, but sky cleared at 3pm when we were at Kyleakin, so Dominik and I set off up the tourist path to Blaven. We missed the path out of Coire Uaigneich, and found ourselves scrambling up the central gully, which turned out to be a great alternative. Suddenly, we popped out in the gap between the Munro and the South Top, and scrambled on to both. Superb views again. Home by the normal path. Attacked by midges on the lower slopes, so didn't linger!

4th August:

Poor weather!

5th August:

All 5 of us set off together from the Cluanie Inn, and made our way to Ciste Dubh ("the black chest"). M & R returned over Am Bathach, which Anne, Dominik and I traversed "the 4 brothers" - Sgurr Fhuarail, Aonach Meadhoin, Sgurr a' Bhealaich Dheirg and Saileag - then descended a steep and narrow path back to where we had left the car in the morning.

6th August:

Dominik and I climbed A' Ghlas Bheinn from Morvich via Bealach na Sgairne. My fith day out of 6, so I was toiling kepping up with Dominik, over the several false summits on the way to the top!

7th August:

Weather poor - thank goodness - I needed a rest!

(written 16/08/09)