Last month’s walks: Sgiath Chuill
Attendees: Myra, David, Alan, Di, Bob, Jimmy and Jay the dog
We decided to tackle this Munro from Glen Lochay firstly because i've heard all sorts of bad reports from people who have squelched their way up from Glan Dochart and secondly Graham, Harry and I climbed Meall Glas from Glen Lochay a couple of years ago and therefore kind of knew the way.
We parked up at Kenknock at the end of the public road from Killin. A road with enough big pot holes to do your suspension, wheels and tyres some damage if you’re not careful.
The first part of the walk is about 1 mile along the road to 452355 where the only obstacle of the day, the river, has to be crossed. The bridge that is marked on my (old) map at 453356 has long gone but there is a ford that on this occasion was shallow enough to splash through with gaiters on. The river is probably about 30 to 40 feet wide at this point and as the ford runs through it at an angle there was about 50 feet to splash through. Four of us made it ok without getting feet wet but the zip on one of Jimmy's gaiters broke so he had none and Bob's were not up to the job so they both took boots and socks off and waded through with bare feet much to the amusement of the rest of us
My old map also only shows the track that is on the other side of the river going up only to Lubchurran at 452353 but it actually follows the river all of the way up to the watershed at around 454327 and made for an easy climb to this point. We had had a later start than usual today so stopped for lunch before we tackled the steep climb to Meall a Churain
The watershed was as expected full of peat haggs but wasn't too bad to get through, then we tackled the steep slope. The wind picked up as we got higher but it didn't turn out to be as bad as MWIS predicted. It was pretty strong but not bad enough to impede progress or blow us off course.
By the time we made it to Meall a Churain we were well into the mist so there were no views to be had as we walked along the wide ridge, over a couple of minor bumps to the summit.
The cloud parted for a few minutes and we could see down to Glen Dochart very briefly before it rolled in again
We reversed the route back down again and Jimmy and Bob had the same wade back over the river again. We did consider bagging Meall Glas as well but the majority ruled and we left it at one. We probably would have gone for it if it hadn't been so windy and if it had been a clearer day.
Some club members also bagged an impromptu bonus Munro on Sunday 01st March when Dawn, Di, Bob and Alan headed up to the Monadh Liath and bagged Geal Charn. Well done to Dawn for driving. We drove for around 7 hours for 5 hours on the hill. Can’t help thinking that it should be the other way around.
We started from Garva bridge and had a very pleasant and relatively easy walk to the snowy summit. There were few views however as the upper reached of the hill were in cloud.
This month’s walk: Sunday 19th April
Lets go over to the Arrochar Alps for a change and bag Beinn Bhuidhe. The SMC book says 3 hours 50 mins and follows a good track up the glen for about 4 miles before a steep climb up to the Munro but I have found an alternative route that leaves the track earlier on, is a wee bit shorter and isn’t quite so steep. Perhaps we could make it a circular route and walk back down the track. OS map 50. Please let me know by Thursday 16th April so that cars can be arranged.
June:
Myra is planning her annual rollercoaster for the first week in June this year. Activities will include a bit of island hopping, backpacking down through Jura taking in some or all of ‘the Paps’ then Glencoe at the end of the week where there are Munros, Corbetts and Grahams to bag. See Myra about this one.
Other stuff:
The website is now up and running www.bemac.org Anybody who wants walk photos posted please either e mail them to me or send prints and I will scan them. Perhaps different people might like to write the walk report from time to time to get a different perspective on things.
Alan