Training Log Archive: Thraws

Creagan na Beinne and Creag Uchdag. Ended up saving the epic for the end. Though I knew I could curtail the day to one hill if legs or weather decided that was that. Followed the stalkers path from Ardtalnaig over the slopes of Beinn Bhreac with sweat pouring off and the company of millions of flies. It was nicely graded but took an eternity to get to the top. The second corbett looked (was) miles away but I'd made good time and it would go. Descended to Dunan meaning to follow the stream below Creag nan Eun (which I thought was my hill). But a path of sorts led up beside the low crags of the Meall nan Oighreag eastern spur and I followed it gratefully. On the top, though, the summit looked hours off. And far from short heather the ridges were a mess of peat hags. But I was on schedule and when the rain started just put my jacket on. There followed an 8km descent along a ridge which turned into a race against the thunder storm. Was off the highest point when the lightning arrived but got absolutely soaked after the new forestry near the bottom confused my map reading. Took off wet things, got in the car, and drove 500 miles home.

Meall na Fearna and Ben Vorlich. Change in the weather, so opted for a short day with the chance to extend if the break never happened. Missed the path in upper Glen Vorlich so ended up on Beinn Domhnuill wondering where I was. Sun was shining down so after returning to the col decided to see if I could traverse eastern slopes of the munro and pick up the north ridge route. No problem. After a week of heather and tussocks the eroded munro path was a revelation. It had people on too. From the top the route off over Ben Our looked irresistible though it was back to battling the vegetation.

Farragon Hills. Felt like a rest day so brought this forward from a short Saturday. At least I'd have the mine track for most of it. Hadn't reckoned on the complex nav which followed. Reached the first summit, Meall Tairnachean, in thick mist then noted with some dismay the broken nature of the intervening ground to the second. Perhaps there'd be a path. After the mine track petered out there wasn't and I was left with a b/w photocopied map and the contours to get me up the right hill. Found the loch then a reentrant and then the ridge all heading in the right easterly direction so ploughed on through the heather. Breathed a huge sigh of relief when the ground started to rise up steeply and i knew I had the corbett. Different route off, just followed compass.

Stob a'Choin. Logged as intensity 5 because whole day was somewhat against the clock, and made more so by the slow progress up and down the single track road through Balquidder. Good to get a completely different perspective on the Crianlarich hills of 1992 and 2000. When I came here for a leftover Beinn Tulaichean in 2005 the weather gave no view of anything. Today was stupendous. The hill looked unclimbable. but there was a ridiculously steep option as described in the book, which was more vertical than anything. Couldn't resist the alternative descent route via Meall Ramhar. Then drive back down the glen for ...

Stob Fear-tomhais. From Glen Buckie. Set off very reluctantly about half 2 with very weary legs indeed. The Right of Way was in poor nick, which didn't help mood. Once I'd crossed the river and reached the hill I just got my head down and on with it. When the top wouldn't appear I did wonder whether I'd even come up the right hill. In my haste. The top was a lovely spot and the descent in the lengthening shadows pleasant too.

Meall an t-Seallaidh and Creag MacRanaich. Guidebook was no help with combining these two, so improvised a route from Lochearnhead via Craggan and Glen Kendrum. No difficulties. Cloud down to about 700m so needed compass for right line early on, and then put myself at its mercy for the 'traverse of rather complicated ground' between the two hills. Actually enjoyed the finicky detail of this, and came out on the south top just as the clag was lifting to give me a sight of the true north top. Got a good line off after heading towards Meall Sgallachd.

Ben Ledi and Ben Vane. How long have I wondered if I'd do these together? Tourist path up to Ledi made for quick going in the heat, but route finding on the ridge was a bit random. Came down near Laggan then followed lochside cycle path back to car. Hot!