Creag Pitridh, Geal Charn & Beinn a Chlachair. 8th October 2012

Looking back along the 4x4 track to Creag Meagaidh. 08/10/12 (Photo: A J Thorley)

We travelled up the night before and camped by the roadside at the starting point for the following days walk. It turned out to be quite a restless night as neither one of us could get comfortable. The following morning grumpy and tired we dismantled the tent and returned to the car, made ourselves breakfast of sausage and rolls served with lashings of coffee. Feeling much better we readied ourselves for the days walking whilst waiting beside the road for our friend Mary to join us. Mary was running late as the roads from Glasgow up to Glen Spean were very foggy, as it turned out Mary was only a couple of minutes late in the end.

Binnein Shuas & Binnein Shios from the southern end of Lochan na h-Earba.08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Our approach to these hills started from the car park (NN433830) in between the reservoir and Loch Laggan, just off the A86. At 1st we walked a short distance west along the road to the bridge (NN432830), crossed the bridge and continued along the 4x4 track in a southerly direction. After a short distance the 4x4 track swings around to the east and starts to rise gradually eventually meeting another track (NN443822). Turning right we continued in a southerly direction again until a small reservoir (NN452809) came into sight, this time we turned left towards Lochan na h-Earba (NN474824).

Vicks & Mary at the summit cairn of Creag Pitridh. 08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The walk in is not the most appealing but looking back in a north westerly direction does give good views of Creag Meagaith and from the small beach (NN464813) at the southern end of Lochan na h-Earba you get fantastic views of Binnein Shuas. We stopped here for a little while and took in the views across the Lochain.

Me at the summit of Geal Charn. 08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

After a little refreshment we continued our approach to Creag Pitridh along the 4x4 track in a easterly direction. The track soon fades to a footpath (NN473805) on the map a ford is marked and at this point a faint footpath not marked on the map leads directly up the hillside to the summit of Creag Pitridh (NN487814). It is hard going as the ground is a mixture of long grass and heather with a little bog just for good measure. As we plodded our way up the weather deteriorated, the cloud came down making visibility  difficult and it started to rain. High up on the hillside we startled an injured stag that was obviously in a lot of pain, he must have been injured during a fight as he could barely stand. We walked slowly away from the injured stag and continued to the summit of Creag Pitridh.

The broad ridge of Beinn a Chlachair looking north east to Geal Charn. 08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

From the summit of Creag Pitridh we descended in a south easterly direction to the bealach (NN490811) in between Creag Pitridh and Geal Carn. There is an obvious footpath and it is quite slippery in places especially when its pouring with rain. Once down to the bealach we continued in the same direction until we met another track (NN491810) at this point we picked up a footpath that ascends in a easterly direction to Geal Carn. This footpath yet again is not marked on the map. It is obvious at 1st but it soon fades and becomes less obvious. Upon arrival at the summit of Geal Carn (NN504812) the weather seemed to be getting worse so we all sheltered by the huge cairn and had a bite to eat and rested for a little while.

Gael-Charn, Aonach Beag & Beinn Eibhinn from Beinn a Chlachair. 08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The rain started to get heavier so we decided to descend in a south westerly direction to Bealach Leamhain (NN490800) and then pick up the foot path again that takes you in a south easterly direction to the lower slopes of the broad north east ridge (NN491797) of Beinn a Chlachair. From this point we started our ascent of the ridge there is a very faint footpath. It is quite steep and rocky at 1st but it soon eases. By the time we reached the cairn of the 1st summit (NN486790) the weather started to clear and reveal where we had walked. As we reached the true summit of Beinn a Chlachair (NN471781) the weather completely cleared revealing spectacular views in all directions.

Vicks & Mary at the summit cairn of Beinn a Chlachair. 08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

We stayed on the summit for some time taking in the views around us. Ben Alder and its ridges looked amazing. The huge plateau of Geal-Charn was reflecting the sunlight, in fact the whole ridge of Carn Dearg, Geal-Charn, Aonach Beag and Beinn Eibhinn looked stunning. Looking west the sun light was breaking through the clouds in huge rays lighting up the whole glen. Reluctantly we had to descend as we were getting cold and the fact we were soaked was not helping matters either.

Binnein Shuas & Binnein Shious. Lochan na h-Earba & Creag Pitridh. 08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

To get the most out of the day we decided to descend the broad west ridge down to the stalkers path (NN442772) that runs along side Allt Cam. It was a very pleasant descent as we could watch the scenery in front of us change as the light changed. By the time we reached the stream the sun was starting to set and the skies changed to a brilliant reddish colour. We continued along the stalkers path in a northerly direction until it changed into a 4x4 track just by some old ruins (NN446790). At this point we stopped to have a little break and take in the scenery again before continuing our return to the cars.

The evening sunset on the walk out. 08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The walk out seemed to take no time at all, I think we were all absorbed in watching the scenery as we walked along. Darkness was just starting to fall as we reached the cars, we said our good byes to Mary and waved her good bye. We then put the kettle on and made ourselves a hot brew whilst deciding what we were going to do. In the end we opted for spending the night in the comfort of the Newton Moor Hostel. 

Toasting the feet in the hostel. 08/10/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)