Final Tally : 284 Munros

On Monday 10/08/09, Silke, Lewis and Eilidh joined me for the last Munro of the trip - Ben Hope. It was my 284th and Eilidh's 1st! Unfortunately it was clagged in at the top, so no view to finish off on - but at least it was dry!

A bit of a dreich Ben Hope summit, 10/08.

All in all the trip took me 115 days, with 8 rest days taken in total. Of these 3 were taken at the end of the first week when I was suffering some sort of calf muscle problem, which thankfully sorted itself out after a couple of days rest. Other than that, I luckly managed to avoid any serious injury, despite clunking my knees off various items, being blown over and tripping up over my own two feet on occasion (... stop walking first, then look at the view!).

From the route planning I did prior to the trip I calculated that the whole journey involved some 1112 miles (1794 kms) of actual walking and 479151 feet (146038 meters) of ascent. No wonder I went through the best part of three pairs of boots!

Many thanks to everyone who came up to visit or otherwise supported me on the trip. Also a big thank you to those who helped me raise almost £2000 for Maggies Cancer Care Centre. If anyone still wants to make a donation, you can do so online at:

http://www.justgiving.com/nonstopmunromadness/

It was a fabulous journey, with many great memories. If anyone is thinking about undertaking a similar trip, I could only encourage you to do it you will have a great time!

trevgall@googlemail.com

Thursday 6th August – Current tally 283 Munros.

The end of the walk is quite literally in sight. Ben Hope will be my last Munro (of the trip), but I’m waiting for my family to arrive so we can climb that one together and have a party on the top!

The last 10 days or so have been fantastic, including a visit to Shenavall bothy for the Fisherfield group, it was amazing to finally be walking in those hills after having read, seen from afar and thought about them for so long. Thanks Stuart and Bobby for coming up and providing some support and banter on that one!

John Bayne also popped up to help sample some of the fresh sea food on offer in Ullapool. We had a rather misty but memorable day out on Ben Wyvis, which was about all I was capable off following a dodgy prawn the night before!

Seana Bhraigh offered the chance to stretch my legs one last time to get it and all the Beinn Dearg hills done in one day. With a strong easterly blowing the whole day and still feeling a tad peeky from the prawn incident of a couple of nights before, I was glad to be heading back down the glen with the wind behind me on the walk out!

The last couple of days have been quite surreal with the slow, dawning realisation that the trip is almost over. Sitting here in Durness at the most north-westerly tip of Scotland, looking out to sea with the rain pinging off the camper van roof, it’s great to be able to reflect back over the last 100-odd days; the highs, the lows, the views seen and the cairns visited, the absolute soakings received, the wind blasted summits touched and the bloody midges!

28/07 – Fannichs East
(An Coileachean, Meall Gorm, Sgurr Mor & Beinn Liath Mhor Fannich)
29/07 – An Teallach
(Bidein a’Ghlas Thuill & Sgurr Fiona)
30/07 – Fisherfield Group
(Ruadh Stac Mor, A’Mhaighdean, Beinn Tarsuinn,
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Sgurr Ban & Beinn a’Chlaidheimh)
31/07 – Walk Out / Rest Day
01/08 – Fannichs West
(A’Chailleach, Sgurr Breac, Sgurr nan Each, Sgurr nan Clach Geala
& Meall a’Chrasgaidh)
02/08 – Ben Wyvis
03/08 – Beinn Dearg Group
(Seana Bhraigh, Eididh nan Clach Geala, Meal nan Ceapraichean
Cona’Mheall & Beinn Dearg)
04/08 – Am Faochagach
05/08 – Conival & Ben More Assynt
06/08 – Ben Klibreck

The summit cairn on Beinn Liath Mhor Fannich
with Beinn Dearg in the background, 28/07.

Looking back from Sgurr Fiona towards
Bidein a’Ghlas Thuill on An Teallach, 29/07.

A view down Gleann na Muice towards Shenavall
from near the summit of Beinn Tarsuinn, Fisherfield 30/07.

The summit trig point on Ben Klibreck
with Ben Hope in the background centre, 06/08.

Monday 27th July – Current tally 256 Munros.

Quite a lot of ground covered since my last update, and some big rounds in wild remote country too! Overall the weather has been generally kind and I’ve been lucky to avoid some thundery downpours by a glen or two, in other instances it they were direct hits and I've taken a few soakings!

Too many highlights to describe them all here, but the Skye Ridge and in particular the Inn Pin in perfect conditions and the ascent of Sgurr nan Gillean the following day in less than perfect, has to be up there. There is no way I could have managed the Skye hills on my own – many thanks Mike for a fantastic memorable weekend!

Thanks also to the words of encouragement received from a couple of ScottishHill’ers I met on the way. Just what I needed to hear at the time!

12/07 – Rest Day
13/07 – Strathfarrar Circuit
(Sgurr Fhuar-Thull, Sgurr a’Choire Ghlas, Carn nan Gobhar & Sgurr na Ruaidhe)
14/07 – Mullardoch Circuit
(An Socach, An Riabhachan, Sgurr na Lapaich & Carn nan Gobhar)
15/07 – Moruisg & Sgurr nan Ceannaichean
16/07 – Bidean a’Choire Sheasgairch & Lurg Mhor
17/07 – Sgurr Choinnich, Sgurr a’Chaorachain & Maoile Lunndaidh
18/07 – Maol Chean-Dearg & Fionn Bheinn
19/07 – Rest Day : Weather awful!
20/07 – Beinn Alligin
(Tom na Gruagaich & Sgurr Mhor)
21/07 – Liathach
(Spidean a’Choire Leith & Mullach an Rathain)
22/07 – Beinn Eighe
(Ruadh-Stac Mhor & Spidean Coire nan Clach)
23/07 - Slioch
24/07 – Beinn Liath Mhor & Sgorr Ruadh
25/07 – Skye Ridge : South
(Sgurr nan Eag, Sgurr Dubh Mor, Sgurr Alasdair, Sgurr Mhic Choinnich,
Sgurr Dearg (Innaccessible Pinnacle), Sgurr Banachdich, Sgurr a’Ghreadaidh
& Sgurra’Mhadaidh)
26/07 – Skye Ridge : North
(Bruach na Frithe, Am Bhasteir & Sgurr nan Gillean)
27/07 – Bla Bheinn

Sgurr Dearg and the Inn Pinn
from the summit of Sgurr Alasdair across Coire Lagan, 25/07.

Sunday 12th July – Current tally 218 Munros

Feels like I’ve been getting right out into the wilds now, with some big hills in some of the remoter parts of Scotland visited in the last few days.

Still got a few more to do though! Mullardoch, Strathfarrar, Glen Carron, Torridon, Fisherfield and the Fannichs have all still to be done... and then of course there's Skye.

30/06 – Sgurr Mhaoraich (Loch Quoich)
01/07 – Beinn Sgritheall
02/07 – Knoydart
(Luinne Bheinn, Meall Buidhe & Ladhar Bheinn)
03/07 – The Saddle & Sgurr na Sgine
04/07 – South Shiel Ridge
(Creag a’Mhaim, Druim Shionnach, Aonach air Chrith, Maol Chinn-Dearg
Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Sgurr an Lochain & Creag nan Damh)
05/06 – Five Sisters of Kintail & One Brother
(Sgurr Fhuaran, Sgurr na Carnach, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe & Saileag)
06/07 – North Shiel Ridge
(Sgurr a’Bhealaich Dheirg, Aonach Meadhoin & Ciste Dhubh)
07/07 – Cluanie I
(A’Chralaig & Mullach Fraoch-choire)
08/07 – Cluanie II
(Sgurr nan Conbhairean, Sail Chaorainn & Carn Ghluasaid)
09/07 – West Benula Forest
(Mullach na Dheiragain, Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan & An Socach)
10/07 – West Glen Affric
(Beinn Fhada & A’Ghlasbheinn)
11/07 – Glen Affric Circuit
(Mam Sodhail, Carn Eighe, Beinn Fhionnlaidh, Tom a’Choinich
& Toll Creagach)

Looking across towards Beinn Sgritheall and Arnisdale

from the summit of Luinne Bheinn, Knoydart, 02/07.

Thunder storm in Loch Hourn across Barrisdale Bay
from the slopes of Ladhar Bheinn, Knoydart, 02/07.

A view back east along the South Shiel Ridge towards Creag a’Mhaim, 04/07.

The start of the Five Sisters ridge in Glen Shiel, 05/06.

Rain clouds clear the North Shiel Ridge,

view from Aonach Meadhoin, above Cluanie, 06/07.

Loch Mullardoch from Beinn Fhionnlaidh, Glen Affric Circuit, 11/07.

Monday 29th June – Current tally 182 Munros

26/06 – Glen Dessarry (Sgurr nan Coireachan, Garbh Chioch Mor & Sgurr na Ciche)

27/06 – Gairich & Sgurr Mor

28/06 – Meall na Tenga & Sron a’Choire Ghairbh

29/06 – Gleouraich & Spidean Mialach

Streep & Sgurr Thiulm from the bottom of Glen Dessarry, 26/06

Looking west fromSgurr nan Coireachan towards Garbh Chioch Mor & Sgurr na Ciche, 26/06.

The summit cairn on Sgurr Mor with Loch Quoich behind, 27/06.

Loch Quoich from the stalkers path on the western slopes of Gleouraich, 29/06.

Thursday 25th June – Current tally 173 Munros

Quite a tumultuous week.

On Monday the 22nd I was in Aberdeen to attend the funeral of a work colleague and friend, Colin Caie. Colin was an apparently fit, healthy, marathon running 38 year old who was unfortunately diagnosed with terminal cancer in March this year. He will be sorely missed.

21/06 – Sgor Goaith & Mullach Clach a’Blair
22/06 – Colin’s Funeral
23/06 – Beinn a’Chaorainn & Beinn Teallach
24/06 – Glenfinnan Horseshoe
(Sgurr Thuilm & Sgurr nan Coireachan)
25/06 – Gulvain

The family had come up to visit over the weekend, with Lewis joining me for Braeriach on the Saturday 20th. We had a cracking day, with early morning cloud burning off by mid-day to give fantastic views across and down the Larig Ghru and down Glen Dee. Lewis did fantastically well! We celebrated with a BBQ on the shores of Loch Morlich.

Lewis enjoying the view from near the summit of Braeriach, 20/06

Sunday the 21st saw me finishing off the Cairngorms on Sgor Goaith, and this felt like a real milestone had been reached. All the Munro’s south and east of the Great Glen have been climbed – just the 100 or so left in the north west!

Sgor Goaith in the distance from the summit cairn of Mullach Clach a’Blair, 21/06.

The view south from the summit cairn on Beinn Teallach, 23/06.

Sgurr nan Coireachan and the Glenfinnan Horseshoe ridge from Sgurr Thuilm, 24/06.

Gulvain summit from it’s south top, 25/06.

The next few days should see me into Knoydart, Loch Quoich and then up into the Glen Shiel hills. Fingers crossed the good weather continues!

Saturday 20th June – Current tally 166 Munros.

Well over the half-way point now, but it doesn’t feel like it’s getting any easier! The last few days have been long ones with lengthy entry / exit routes to add to the km’s covered. So far Jonathan’s old mountain bike has been coping well, and hasn’t let me down yet – must be because it’s been so well looked after!

07/06 – Rest Day, family up for visit in Blair Atholl

08/06 – Glen Shee South (Carn a’Gheoidh, Carn Aosda, The Cairnwell, Glas Maol & Creag Leacach)

09/06 – Glen Shee North & Glas Tulaichean (Carn an Tuirc, Tolmount, Tom Buidhe, Cairn of Claise & Glas Tulaichean)

10/06 – Mayar, Driesh & Mount Keen

11/06 – Geldie Lodge Circuit (Carn a’Fhidhleir & An Sgarsoch)

12/06 – Lochnagar Circuit (Cac Carn Beag, Carn a’Choire Bhoidheach, Carn an t-Sagairt More Cairn Bannoch & Broad Cairn)

13/06 – Glen Ey Altanour Circuit (An Socach, Carn an Righ, Beinn Iutharn Mhor & Carn Bhac)

14/06 – Cairngorms South West(Beinn Bhrotain, Monadh Mor, Sgor an Lochain Uaine, Cairn Toul & The Devils Point)

15/06 – Rest Day

16/06 – Cairngorms South (Carn a’Mhaim, Ben Macdui, Beinn Mheadhoin & Derry Cairngorm)

17/06 – Beinn Bhreac & Beinn a’Chaorainn

18/06 – Beinn a’Bhuird & Ben Avon

19/06 – Bynack More & Cairngorm

20/06 – Braeriach

Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine from the summit of Braeriach, 20/06.

The view descending down from Beinn a’Bhuird towards Ben Avon and the Sneck, 18/06.

The view from the Devils Point looking south down Glen Dee towards White Bridge, 14/06.

Late afternoon in Upper Glen Ey, 13/06

I had a couple of really nice days in the Glen Shee hills. The weather was fine and was rewarded with clear views across the high moors towards Lochnagar to the east and the Atholl hills to the west. To the north the bulk of the Cairngorms and Beinn a’Bhuird stood, all new hills for me on this trip.

I stayed for a couple of nights at a friends house in Glen Isla, en-route to and from Glen Clova and Esk. What a treat it was to sleep in a soft, comfy bed wider than the narrow bunk in my camper van!

And so into the Cairngorms… This was the first time I’ve climbed any of the Cairngorm hills and was looking forward to these new hills.

Saturday 6th June – Current tally 126 Munros.

The weather has given a real mixture over the last couple of weeks. The beginning of the first week saw low cloud and rain being the predominant feature, while this last week has been one of the hottest of the year so far! From one extreme to the other. 

23/05 – Rest Day (the first in a month!)

24/05 – The Grey Corries (Stob Ban, Stob Choire Claurigh, Stob Coire an Laoigh & Sgurr Choinnich Mor)

25/05 – Loch Treig West (Stob a’Choire Mheadhoin, Stob Coire Easain)

26/05 – Loch Treig East (Beinn na Lap, Chno Dearg & Stob Coire Sgriodain)

27/05 – Beinn a’Chlachair, Geal Charn & Creag Pitridh

28/05 – Ben Alder & Beinn Bheoil

29/05 – Carn Dearg, Geal-Charn, Aonach Beag, Beinn Eibhinn

30/05 – Geal Charn (Glen Markie) 

31/05 – Monadhliath (A’Chailleach, Carn Sgulain & Carn Dearg)

01/06 – Drumochter West (Geal Charn, A’Mharconaich, Beinn Udlamain & Sgairneach Mhor)

02/06 – Creag Meagaidh (Carn Liath, Stob Poite Coire Ardair & Creag Meagaidh)

03/06 – Drumochter East (A’Bhuidheanach Bheag, Carn na Caim & Meall Chuaich)

04/06 – Beinn Dearg

05/06 – Beinn A’Ghlo (Carn Liath, Braigh Coire Chrunn-bhalgain & Carn nan Gabhar)

06/06 – Carn a’Chlamain

I had a rest day on Saturday the 23^rd, the first since I hurt my leg way back at the end of the first week. This was the first day in a month that I hadn’t climbed at least one Munro. My conscience was clear as I put my feet up and listened to the rain bouncing off the van roof!

The Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) had forecast “rain not expected” for the Sunday 24^th. Feeling refreshed after a day off and the prospect of some decent weather to enjoy along what was going to be a new ridge for me, I had a spring in my step along the long walk in to Stob Ban, the first of the Grey Corrie Munro’s. Half way along the main ridge however it was exactly that phrase “rain not expected” that reverberated through my head as I struggled to pull my waterproof trousers on without toppling off the ridge into the corrie below. By the time I was on the slopes of Sgurr Choinnich Mor things had deteriorated into a full blown south westerly gale!

Some “unexpected” rain clouds gather over the Grey Corries, 24/05.

The same “unexpected” rain was still hammering down the following morning. So much so that I abandoned any ideas I had about camping at the south end of Loch Treig, deciding to split the Loch Treig hills into two separate day trips; the hills on the west from the van at Fersit, and those on the east by using the train to get to Corrour and then walking back over the tops to Fersit (where I had left the bike the previous evening). This worked out really well and in retrospect was probably the best way to do these, the walk over the hills from Corrour to Fersit was really enjoyable!

Another two days of low cloud and rain followed ensuring that I saw nothing of the hills other than the summit cairns and the intermittent paths connecting them.

 

A brief break in the clouds on Ben Alder looking down at Loch a’Bhealaich Bheithe on the Bealach Breabag, 28/05.

Then last Friday the weather cleared and the following day on the Aonach Beag ridge opposite Ben Alder was the clearest, warmest day yet. Finally I was able to see something of the Ben Alder group of hills. It was great to be able to look across to the summit cairns of neighbouring hills and see where I had been over the previous few days, stumbling about in the mist and rain using map and compass to feel my way around. 

A view back along the Aonach Beag ridge to the north of Ben Alder from Beinn Eibhinn, 29/05.

The weather stayed fine for almost a week and I took the opportunity to get the Monadhliath hills done. These are big rounded hills, quite a contrast from the sharp well defined peaks and ridges of the western highlands. The clear weather was ideal for wondering along the high plateaux between tops, enjoying the big open skies. 

  A view down Loch Ericht from Geal Charn, in the western Drumochter hills towards Ben Alder. 01/06

John Bayne and Willie Chalmers came up on Monday evening this week and with the weather still fine on the Tuesday we set off for the Creag Meagaidh group of three on the north side of Loch Laggan. It was another fine clear day. After a short but brutal ascent directly up the first Munro, Carn Liath, the views down to the dramatic cliffs of Coire Ardair were spectacular. Back across to the west looking towards Aonach Mor, Ben Nevis was easily identifiable standing out behind Aonach Mor’s flat topped summit. A herd of approx. 100 deer were also clearly visible grazing across on the big wide north west ridge of Creag Meagaidh itself. A great day for John’s first ever Munro!

Willie and John approching the summit of Stob Poite Coire Ardair on Creag Meagaidh. Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis are visible on the horizon. 02/06

The view down into Creag Meagaidh’s Coire Ardair from Stob Poite Coire Ardair. 02/06

I managed to get all three eastern of the Drumochter hills done on the Wednesday, with a long walk over the moors between Carn na Caim and Meal Chuaich. This left me a long way from the van and my feet took a bit of a pounding along the tarmac’ed hydro road back towards Dalwhinnie and the busy A9. 

View back west from the summit of Carn na Caim, Drumochter Hills. Ben Alder and Geal-Charn in the background. 03/06

Heading further east towards the end of the week, Beinn Dearg was a fairly uninspiring trudge up into high moors above Blair Atholl. I was glad to have the bike to help eat up the miles on the long route in and back out to get to this hill! 

View north from the summit of Carn nan Gabhar (Beinn A’Ghlo). That's fresh June snow on the southern Cairngorms! 05/06 

There are some long days ahead over the next week or so as I’ll be travelling through the Glen Tilt, Shee and Tarf hills before tackling Lochnagar and Mount Keen and then finally into the Cairngorms themselves! 

Friday 22nd May - Current tally 89 Munros climbed.

Another full week, with a real mixture of weather conditions, everything from snow and sun to mist and rain, with a gale force easterly mid-week as well.

Had a really great day walking over Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe, on Thursday 14th. The descent down into the Lost Valley from the bealach between Bidean and Stob Coire Sgreamhach still held a lot of snow and felt vertical on the way down! So much so I had to descend facing inwards. The snow was all soft and sugary though so kicking steps wasn’t a problem.

The descent route down into the Lost Valley
from Stob Coire Sgreamhach, 14/05.

A big round on Friday to get both Buachaille’s done on the same day, with gusts of around 60 mph on the summit ridges not helping! Cloud levels descended during the day as the rain and wind intensified. It’s difficult to tell just how strong the wind was, but at one point I did lose my footing and ended up with my feet above my head thinking “This isn’t good, someone could get hurt up here…” Needless to say I managed to right myself and pressed on in full Scott-of-the-Antarctic style (i.e. at 45 degrees)!

Storm clouds gather over Rannach Moor,
view from Buachaille Etive Mor, 15/05.

Murdo came up on the Friday 15th night and we headed to the Clachaig for some beers. It was pretty much as I remembered it from way back, absolutely jumping! The Aberdeen Angus Cheeseburger was fantastic - and I’d already had my tea before I went!

A bit of a trudge up Creise the following day with cloud level just scrapping the car roof! Still it was good to have some company again, although we saw nothing of the hills we walked over.

Sunday was a complete contrast again, with high clouds well above the summits and the sun even came out! Great day and managed four Munro’s down the bottom of Glen Etive.

Tuesday saw me in Glen Nevis, with two rather wet days spent traversing the Mamores, an atrociously wet day on Aonach Beag & Mor, and a fine day to finish off the week traversing the Carn Mor Dearg Arete and over Ben Nevis. First time I’ve been along the CMD Arete, and fantastic it was too! I had a shave and a pint to celebrate!

The mist starts to clear along the Carn Mor Dearg Arete,
looking towards the Ben, 22/05.

13/05 - Sgor na h-Ulaidh
14/05 - Bidean nam Bian & Stob Coire Sgreamhach
15/05 - Buachaille Etive Mor & Beag
(Stob Dearg, Stob na Broige, Stob Dubh & Stob Coire Raineach)
16/05 - Creise
17/05 - Ben Starav, Beinn nan Aighenan, Glas Beinn Mhor
& Stob Coir an Albannaich
18/05 - Meall nan Eun
19/05 - Binnein Beag, Sgurr Eilde Mor, Binnein Mor, Na Gruagaichean,
Stob Coire a’Chairn & An Gearanach
20/05 - Sgurr a’Mhaim, Am Bodach, Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean
21/05 - Aonach Beag & Aonach Mor
22/05 - Carn Mor Dearg & Ben Nevis

I start to head east next week, along the Grey Corries to Loch Treig and into the Ben Alder wilderness before popping out on the A9 at Drumochter.

Tuesday 12th May – Number of Munros climbed : 62

Weather much improved since the tail end of last week. Last three days have been fantastic with little wind and generally clear skies. How nice it is to arrive back at the van not dripping wet!

The family came up for a visit over the weekend and we ended up hiring a caravan. This meant I got to sleep in a proper bed for the first time in about 4 weeks!

Lewis was determined to get out and climb something, so when the rain finally stopped lashing down around Saturday lunchtime, we headed to the Glen Coe ski centre to venture up into the clouds. Once at the top of Meall a’Bhuiridh, fairly deep snow and deteriorating conditions meant that a trip across to Creise was out for the day.

By complete contrast the following day was calm and after the low morning cloud burnt off, was clear. Lewis joined me for the Ballachulish Horseshoe, which turned out to be a fantastic day despite having to cut through forestry plantations Indiana-Jones style to make it back to the van!

Willie Chalmers also came up this week to join me for a day, keen to do something in Glen Coe. Taking advantage of the availability of the extra car, we agreed on a traverse of the Aonach Eagach ridge. I hadn’t been along here for years, but it was fantastic, every bit as exhilarating as I remembered it, and we had a cracking day for it. Despite best intentions to avoid the Clachaig Gully footpath, we ended up descending down that way, which turned out to be the hardest and most exhausting part of the whole traverse!  

 08/05 - Black Mount (Stob a’Choire Odhair & Stob Ghabhar

09/05 - Meall a’Bhuiridh

 10/05 - Beinn a’Bheithir (Sgorr Dhonuill & Sgorr Dhearg)

 11/05 - Beinn Sgularid & Beinn Fhionnlaidh

 12/05 - Aonach Eagach Glen Coe (Sgorr nam Fiannaidh & Meall Dearg)

 

View from the summit ridge of Stob Ghabhar (Black Mount) 08/05.         All four seasons rolled into one.

Lewis at the top of a quite wintery Meall a’Bhuiridh, 09/05.

Photo opportunity at the top of Sgorr Dhearg, 10/05. Ben Nevis in the background in white.

A view out to Mull from the top of Beinn Sgulaird, 11/05. 

Looking back along the Aonach Eagach from Sgurr nam Fiannaidh, 12/05. 

Thursday 7th May – Tally stands at 53 Munros

Stop, I can’t be writing something up for every day! I wanted to try and escape the tyranny of the keyboard for a while!!

From now on I’ll endeavour to post weekly summaries with a selection of the weeks pics – assuming that it’s stopped raining long enough to actually take some, and cut down on the verbage a bit.

Feels like I’ve had a bit of a battering from the wind and rain this week. More often that not I’ve ended up with a real soaking. Which has meant hours of fun in the evenings trying to get all my gear dried out, within the confines of a small camper van – ummh nice!

01/05 - Schiehallion
02/05 - Ben Lui Circuit (Dubhcraig, Oss, Lui & a’Chleibh)
03/05 - Ben Cruachan Circuit
(Eunaich, a’Chochuill, Stob Diamh & Cruachan)
04/05 - Ben More on Mull
05/05 - Ben Challuim
06/05 - Bridge of Orchy I (Mhanach, Achaladair, a’Chreachain)
07/05 - Bridge of Orchy II (Dorain & an Dothaid)

Thursday 30th April – Rannoch Forest

Stuart McGuinness joined me for the day, taking in two Munros that sit just to the north east of Rannoch Station. It was great to have some company for a change and it was hard to restrict ourselves to just a couple of pints the night before!

Both Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre had the potential to offer spectacular views across to the west to the Black Mount and Glen Coe hills, and to the north into the Ben Alder wilderness.

Not today. The usual mix of low cloud and persistent wind, with a little heavy rain thrown in made the 20 km more of a trudge than a joy. The long ridge of Sron Leachd a’ Chaorainn leading to the first Munro, Carn Dearg, was shrouded in mist. Only when we dropped down to 720m on the Mam Ban between the hills did we get a glimpse over to Loch Ossian.

So much effort for seemingly so little reward! Still Stuart seemed to enjoy it...

Wednesday 29th April – Carn Mairg Circuit

I had had fine views across from Meall Garbh on the Ben Lawers ridge of this group of hills sitting at the eastern end of Glen Lyon. Big rounded summits with high level walking between them, with the route round barely dropping below 850m.

Low cloud, poor visibility and a strong easterly were to make the route harder work than it should have been. The path kept on petering out, leaving you on a rounded shoulder with little variation in terrain to guide you. Map and compass all the way round to Carn Mairg itself.

While walking along the Meall a’Bharr ridge towards Carn Mairg, a long line of deer shot across my path appearing from and disappearing into the mist on either side of me. A fantastic sight, doubly so because it was so unexpected.

Then sitting eating my pieces on the last Munro, Meall na Aighean, the clouds suddenly lifted. Within a quarter of an hour the whole ridge cleared and I had clear views looking back along where I’d previously been struggling against the wind and mist.

Carn Mairg Circuit clears

Tuesday 28th April – Meall Buidhe & Stuchd an Lochain

Drive up to the top end of Glen Lyon was great. I hadn’t been at this end of the glen before, but it’s well worth a visit. There was a large heard of deer grazing close to the road at Meggernie Castle, but soon fled once they caught the scent of my camper van!

I had planned to walk right round Loch an Daimh, taking in both of todays Munros, one on either side of the loch. The weather wasn’t inviting however, with the by now familiar low cloud (500m), cold persistent wind and the threat of rain. A quick trudge up through the mist to find a positively stormy Meall Buidhe and then back down to re-ascend the lost height back up to Stuchd an Lochain.

Right on cue as I was about half way down, the rain stopped, the clouds lifted and the sun came out. I could have sworn I heard a cuckoo!

Storm clouds clearing over Glen Lyon

Monday 27th April – Sgiath Chuil & Meall Glas

A slight improvement in the weather today, although the summits were all in cloud and the rain started again as I approached the first of today’s tops, Sgiath Chuil. Bit of trudge round today, no views beyond fleeting glimpses of anonymous hillsides through breaks in the cloud. The rain turned to sleet as the morning turned to afternoon, and I was glad to have a relatively easy day.

Forecast looks better for tomorrow. I’m hopeful I might be able to reduce condensation levels in the van!

Sunday 26th April – Beinn Heasgarnich & Creag Mhor

I’d been looking forward to the Glen Lochay and Lyon hills, as these were to be the first new hills of the trip so far. I’d eagerly anticipated the views that I’d get from them off to the surrounding hills already climbed and those further north still to come.

As it turned out I saw nothing of either. The weather seemed to follow a similar pattern each day. I’d attempt to get an early start only to be confronted with low cloud, a persistent wind and more often than not rain, which had the uncanny knack of clearing as I was descending for the day …

The windscreen wipers were working hard on the way up Glen Lochay to the road end. Mucking about getting my gear sorted seem to take for ever, reflecting my reluctance to get a soaking. Then the intensity of the rain slackened off slightly and I took this as my cue to get out and away.

I cycled in the few km’s to the foot of Beinn Heasgarnich, whose bulk could only be felt, the cloud was so low. In fact from the moment I left the bike it was map and compass the whole way to the top. I was actually quite pleased with myself for not getting lost, especially as I’d seen no sign at all of any form of path.

The rain came on stronger than ever as I made my way down and over to Creag Mhor, the next Munro on the day’s list. By the time I got to the top I was soaked through, and I’d lost my appetite for Ben Challum. It was as long a stretch over to Challum from where I was, and I’d had enough of a soaking for one day. The lure of a big steaming cup of tea in the shelter of the van proved too much! That and the fact my boxers were wet.

I got back to the van, put the heater on and lay everything out to dry. Oh dear the windows seem to have misted up. I had foreseen days like this before the trip started!

Sunday 26th April through to May 1st - A backlog of blog logs ...

I've a backlog of blog's which I'll try and post over the next day or so ...

... but it seems we're back to a more traditional Scottish summer. With low cloud, heavy rain and a persistent wind all the ingredients are there!

The summit of Beinn Eunaich (04/05/09), with squally snow showers all day,
the top just cleared just as I reached it.

Thursday 23rd April - Ben Lawers Circuit

The throbbing in my leg woke me just before the alarm went off. A quick check outside confirmed that it was rain I could hear on the camper van roof, with cloud level not much higher than that. Oh well, I can at least head up Beinn Ghlas and see how things go. There is a nice slow descent from Ghlas to Lawers, and if my leg is too sore I can always escape back off round to the van using the stalkers path… such was my thinking as I climbed up into the mist on the shoulders of Beinn Ghlas.

With a cold damp westerly and cloud obscuring views, there wasn’t much to stop for and I soon made the top of Lawers. By the time I was half way across to An Stuc the cloud lifted giving fine views from Glen Coe in the west, along the Nevis range over the Grey Corries, Ben Alder, Drumochter, to the still snowy heights of the Caringorms and Glen Shee hills to the east.

From Meall Greigh I dropped down to the dam at the top of the Lawers Burn and took the Land Rover track back west along the 600m contour towards the van waiting at the visitor centre car park. This proved too much for the leg, and it seems it’s the combination of flat hard surface with a shallow descent that really aggravates. It was with some relief that I left the track to head across the moors to meet the Beinn Ghlas path just above the NTS Nature Trail, and back to the van.

A quick drive back down to Killin, grab some food supplies and back to the campsite for a huge meal and some more leg rubbing!

Ummm… perhaps I really do need to rest properly for a couple of days and let this leg thing get better.

A view down from the Lawers ridge, on the way to An Stuc

Wednesday 22nd April - 2 Meall'urs & Meallghaordie

After a rest day on the Tuesday, largely spent poking and rubbing my sore leg, I decided to have a go at the two Meall‘urs to the north-west of Beinn Ghlas – Meall Corranaich and a’Choire Leith.

I headed up from the visitor centre, the ascent from the bealach between Ghlas and Corranaich making an interesting way up. Making good time and heading back the same way I came, my thoughts were full of whether or not to go for the full Lawers circuit. With my leg still feeling a bit sensitive I decided that this was probably not the best course of action.

Sanity prevailed and with the best part of the afternoon still in hand I drove round to Glen Lochay to add Meall Ghaordie to the days tally. Uncannily the top which had been clear all day, clouded over two minutes before I arrived, and cleared two minutes after I left!

Monday 20th April - Meall nan Tarmachan

What with the gammy leg, I decided to mess with the schedule again, and perhaps give myself an easier day than the full Ben Lawers circuit. So I set off up Meall nan Tarmachan, thinking that I could do this one and add the two hills to the north west of Beinn Ghlas in as well.

The leg wasn’t having it though. Progress on the way up was quick enough, albeit uncomfortable. The descent however was really quite painful. Something wasn’t right.

By the time I got back down to the van, my left lower shin was all swollen up and really didn’t look very nice. As frustrating as it was I needed to take some time off to rest up, in the hope that my leg would mend.

Sunday 19th April - Ben Chonzie

Lewis and I set off for Ben Chonzie. Not the most interesting of ascents, however the weather was the best of the trip yet. The broad grassy shoulders of the summit ridge gave the perfect spot for lunch and generally lounging around enjoying the view.

The descent was quite painful as I seemed to have pulled a muscle on my lower left leg. Not sure if this was related to the knock I took from that stile yesterday, but ever since then my leg had been sore, stiffening up over night. Oh dear.

Saturday 18th April - Ben Vorlich & Stuc a'Chroin

A relatively easy day up the other Ben Vorlich and its near neighbour Stuc a’Chroin. Low cloud eventually burnt off by midday to give a perfect blue sky afternoon.

Unfortunately I clunked my knee a cracker off the top of a stile on the way down. This was sore. This was really bloody sore! What a stupid design of stile, it was way too narrow – who put that there! Rubbing my knee and cursing loudly, I surreptitiously opened the unlocked gate next to the stile and walked through.

Silke and the kids came up that evening. We had a BBQ and then all squeezed into the camper van. Kids loved it.

Thursday 16th & Friday 17th April - Crianlarich Hills

After Wednesday’s “day off” up Vorlich, I decided to mix up the schedule a bit and climb Ben More and Stob Binnein on the Thursday, adding Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean to the day. Leaving the remaining three Crianlarich hills to the Friday.

This turned out to be for the best as the originally planned Day 3 round (from Chabhair to Tulaichean) would have been a killer! As it was the Thursday meant 24km and some 2080m ascent to get round More, Binnein, Ardrain and Tulaichean, across trackless, steep terrain. I had arranged to meet my Mum & Dad and the kids at the Kingshouse, Strathyre by 17:30, and spent the whole day chasing the clock to try and get all four hills completed in time. All that effort for a fresh pair of boxers!

Used the bike on Friday morning to cycle in along the bulldozed road through Glen Larig. No punctures this time! This is a lovely part of the southern highlands, and although it’s only an hour away from the Central Belt, really has a feeling of forgotten remoteness. It was also Rob Roy’s stomping ground. I passed his old house! No one was in. No chance of a cup of tea then!

I dumped the bike just below Beinn a’Chroin to collect on the way out, and then had to walk up the glen to reach Beinn Chabhair. By the time I was on the summit, what little cloud there was had broken up and the rest of the day gave hazy views out across the surrounding hills. The south-easterly was if anything stronger and colder however, so there was little incentive to linger.

These two days together felt like big days. I can still remember the first time I climbed Ben More from the Crianlarich unrelentingly, steep side. Well, the other side isn’t that much different it turns out.

Wednesday 15th April - Finally on the move

Three days in and six Munros climbed so far. Still can’t face thinking any more than a couple of days ahead.

Got off to a great start on Monday with the weather fine, if a little hazy and a cold south-easterly that’s been blowing ever since.

Lewis helped me up the first top, Ben Lomond, and after a quick picnic on Lomondside, I headed round for Beinn Bhuidhe. Leaving the van at just after 15:00 parked at the top of Loch Fyne, it had been my intention to cycle in the 8km to Inverchorachan, before starting the climb.

About 1km down the road, however, I got a puncture. There was an audible hiss as I pulled the smallest thorn out from the middle of the back tyre. Needless to say I had no tools or repair kit with me, everything was back at the van. Sod that, ditch the bike, and get a pace on to walk in to the bottom of the hill. Made the top by 18:00, and got some rather concerned looks from those on their way off the hill as I was marching up. With two hours of daylight left, and a further hours drive back round to the already paid for campsite, I got there just after nine.

The second day the weather had turned a bit dreich. Low cloud and a biting south-easterly meant that there wasn’t much point in stopping. A viewless round of Vane, Ime and Narnain. I had planned to take in Ben Vorlich as well, but the toll of yesterday evening's sprint up Bhuidhe and the lack of any prospect of a view decided that it could wait for tomorrow.

In fact, this turned out to be for the better as it meant I could have a relatively easy day Wednesday and was off Ben Vorlich by 13:30. At least the cloud had lifted, and the effort up was rewarded with some good albeit hazy views of the surrounding peaks. I could see the next group of hills just sitting across the top of Loch Lomond.

So no food poisoning as yet, and the weather’s set to stay dry for the next few days. Plan is to try and get an early start tomorrow and start on the Crianlarich hills.

On the first top, and a photo opportunity for Maggies.

284 Munro's...

Well here I am just a few hours away from driving round to Loch Lomond, trying to squeeze in amongst the weekend campers, to get an early start up Ben Lomond tomorrow.

The sun is beating down outside and it looks as if the weather over the first couple of days might actually be quite nice - at least not gales and horizontal rain.

The van is packed with way too much stuff, and if it makes it over the speed bumps down Preston Road without one of the suspension struts collapsing, I'll take that as a good omen.

Over the last weeks and months, while talking the idea of this trip over with different people the over-riding reaction was one of support. You must be mad - but support nonetheless.

Many thanks for that support and for any donations made to Maggie's Care Centers;

http://www.justgiving.com/nonstopmunromadness/

I'll try and post progress reports up here as I stumble up and over the Highlands, as and when I can. The posts might be a bit sporadic depending on connectivity. Progress might also be a bit sporadic... but then I guess that's just part of the adventure!

A view back down Stob Binnein's SW ridge last November.