Carn Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch

We spent Easter 2009 on the Isle of Man.  No Munros, but enjoyed some good walks and cycling.  So, the 2009 Munro season didn't get underway until some sunny weather arrived in May.


13th May 2009


Once again, the Linn o' Dee car park provided a location for an overnighter in the car (after a day at meetings in Edinburgh).  Good composting toilets there, too, so no need to dive off into the woods!

Another one for the bike!  7.40am.  After brewing up some coffee, I set off (as I had done on 9th May 2008) up the good track to White Bridge, but this time continued south then west to just short of Geldie Lodge (left) - a distance of around 12 or 13km, with a climb of around 140m.  


Here, the Geldie Burn barred any further cycling.  Now, how to cross the wide burn.  No obvious stepping stones, so - boots off, and wade.   Cold, cold water!  Anyway, soon across, warm socks back on, and set off on foot up the short walk to the ruins of Geldie Lodge.  9.30am and a beautiful blue sky overhead.

Followed a good stalkers' path around the north flank of Sgarsoch Bheag, climbing gradually, then struck off south west across boggy moorland, crossed the Allt a' Chaorainn, then headed up steep grassy slopes toward Carn an Fhidhleir.  My lack of fitness made me wonder if I would ever get to the top!   However, as always, determination and dogged plodding eventually led to easier slopes and a wide plateau, topped by a cairn against which to rest!  (right)  Munro 221.


Superb views to the north, west and southwest.  A cold wind, though.  After a 20 minute rest, I felt a bit more like climbing the 2nd Munro of the year, An Sgarsoch.  


This meant following the southeast "ridge", crossing a few short snow fields, and dropping down to a boggy col at 700m, then a steep grassy / stony slope to the summit, and another (bigger) cairn!


Who is this with the wild hair?


So, Munro 222 achieved.  62 to go!


From the summit, it was an easy descent on short heathery slopes back to Geldie Lodge.  This time I found some stepping stones, so no need for cold feet.  With the wind at my back, and mostly downhill, the cycle back to Linn o' Dee took only 1 hour - an excellent way to finish the day.


25km cycle. 15km walk, 920m climb, 9 hours

(posted 10/06/10)