Length: 12.7 miles, 20.5 km
Ascent: +1175m
Naismith: 6h 4m (actually took about 8 hours)
Weather: Sunny at first. Overcast with cold wind later.
200 or bust Part I
I had decided that I has
languished in the 190somethings (Munros, not years or even dog years) for too
long and that if I was to make some progress I, like Joe Simpson in “Touching
the Void”, needed to set myself some mini goals to reach my target, preferably,
without the inconvenience, suffering, bestselling book and career as a
motivational speaker. I would have to forsake my Donald, Corbett, Graham,
Wainwright and Hewett habit for now. My Marylin tick list was just a wee side
hobby.
I consulted the Oracle that is Walkhighlandsdotcom and reviewed my blue and red triangle populated map.
Pairs.
It had to be pairs.
Preferably within a reasonable drive from home.
The plan was simple.
200-196 = 2M x 3D
Where:
D = day out
M = Munro
Simples.
Once again the In-Laws came to
the rescue and agreed to look after LittleMisshalfaseesaw™
(who shows no interest in climbing hills but seems to enjoy orienteering) and
halfaseesawJR™ who shows a healthy interest in climbing hills quickly.
Creag Meaghidh had been climbed
before as someone else’s final Munro but it was winter with knee deep snow and
very poor visibility. It had occurred during my University days when I had all
but forsaken the mad and slightly pointless pastime of climbing hills. I was
knackered by the end of it and even an early night didn't make the ascent of
Ben Nevis the next day any easier. In fact I gave up really early and managed
to catch up with my dad who had (wisely) decided not to go up, but along Glen
Nevis. He didn't make it up Creag Meaghidh either.
So, there is a nice wee circuit
to the east, taking in Carn Liath, Stob Poite Coire Ardair then finally Creag
Meaghidh. Sorted.
Mrs halfaseesaw awake at 04:00
AM!!! With the dawn and a red sky. This was apparently due to sore arms from
the previous days gardening epic.
We left about early o’clock in bright
sunshine and arrived at the car park about 08:30. A serious case of early onset
midge resulted in a fast pack n’ go. Then back again for mrs h’s water then
away again. In the sun & heat I became concerned for my safety and slapped
on some SPF 8 – take no chances. The coire path climbs up towards some natural
woodland and then you must keep a really good eye out for the path to Carn
Liath. Just as the path nears the tree line, there is a ditch running down the
hill and beside it a path that doesn’t really look like a path but it is. Not a
great path but a path. We noticed, on the way down from Coire Ardair, about 20
meter further uphill from this path there is a bent fence post and the start of
a path which would seem to tie in with a couple of fence posts and what
appeared to be a path of sorts near Na Cnapanan NN475889. This one might be
worth looking out for but the first path was fine, as was the walk up Carn
Liath. In fact it was quite pleasant.
 |
| Looking towards Loch Laggan |
I had thought about doing the
route clockwise but I was concerned I wouldn't find the path down through the
trees. This turned out to be a wise choice, for a different reason, the path
back down the corrie went on and on and was easier because it was mostly
downhill. The tree path shouldn't be a problem on descent. Head for Na Cnapanan
and you’ll find it easily.
By the time we reached Carn Liath
the sun was gone. Clouds moved in and the wind blew cold. Probably for the
best. The ridge along to Stob Poite Coire Ardair is lovely, you don’t really
notice the reascent for the second Munro and the drop down to The Window isn’t
as steep as you think it’s going to be.
 |
| Creag Meaghidh from Carn Liath |
We stopped for a spot of lunch at
The Window then pressed on up the Meggie side. About halfway up we were joined
by an English gentleman who inquired about the descent from Carn Liath. Then he
engaged us in conversation and regaled us with stories of scrambles in
Snowdonia and how he had climbed Curved Ridge 5 times and how he didn’t like
the Cairngorms or the Perthshire hills because they weren’t pointy enough. It
was at that point that my son rescued us (well he rescued me), Mrs H was
chatting away as she does. She’s very sympathetic. My 3 year old son rescued me
by telling his Papa that he wanted to speak to his mummy, so Papa phoned and we
had to break off our lovely chat to listen to halfaseesawJR™ telling
us we had to come home quickly. Awwwwwww.
 |
| The cliffs of Coire Ardair |
As it happened we were close to
the top of our final peak anyway. We had a quick photo stop on Mad Megs cairn
and pressed on to the top of the hill to find a mast and a man taking in
letters into a radio. English gentleman (on the way down) said the same guy was
at the top on Ben Lui a couple of weeks previously. I have ceased judging
people by the nature of their hobbies. I accept that my chosen favourite past
time is pointless and I cannot judge others chosen activities (but football? Really
don’t get it).
 |
| Looking back |
The return to the car felt long –
the descent from the window is scree with steep gravelly path, a walking pole
was very useful. The close up views of the winter climbing mecca was
impressive. Really need to find some easy routes here to try out.
A grand day out and with 3 Munros
and a good handful of tops for only 1175m of ascent. A bargain.
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