Hills: Beinn nan Caorach, Beinn na h-Eaglaise, Beinn Sgritheall
Date: Thursday 3rd June 2010
Company: Just me
Time: 7Hrs 50Mins
Couldn't get to sleep in hostel last night because of REALLY loud snoring.
Options:
1) Lie awake in bed getting more and more annoyed,
2) Drag the snorer outside, tie him to a tree and leave him to the midges, or
3) Get up seriously early and go walking.
While 2) was really tempting, I opted for 3), leaving the hostel at 03:15!
I drove round to Arnisdale, and then a mile or so further to the road end at Corran.
There is parking for around a dozen cars at the Ceilidh House, Corran.
By 04:30, it was already light and a beautiful morning.
From the car park, I made for the road end at Corran, crossed the bridge and then followed the Right of Way to Glenelg.
Corran:
The sun was beginning to light up the hills in Knoydart.
Early morning sunshine in Knoydart:
After circa 1km of walking along the bank of the River Arnisdale, I crossed the river via a large but dodgy bridge.
Bridge over River Arnisdale (Cross at your own risk):
After crossing through a field of highland cattle, I crossed another bridge over the Allt Utha.
Looking towards Achadh a'Ghlinne (Beinn nan Caorach in background):
Bridge over Allt Utha at Achadh a'Ghlinne:
From Achadh a' Ghlinne, I followed the stalker's path at first towards Coire Druimhnam Bo and then Coire Chorsalain.
Looking back towards Corran:
Beinn Bhuidhe and Beinn na h-Eaglaise:
A few hundred metres after passing the Eas na Cuingid, I left the stalker's path and ascended the South ridge of Beinn nan Caorach.
Eas na Cuingid:
Looking back to Corran and Druim Fada:
As I gained more and more height, more and more hills come into view. By the time I reached the summit, I could see perhaps 100 hills.
Beinn na h-Eaglaise, 906m top and summit of Beinn Sgritheall:
Ladhar Bheinn:
Beinn Clachach, Druim Fada and hills of Knoydart:
At 07:00, I reached the summit of Beinn Caorach.
Myself at summit of Beinn nan Caorach:
From Beinn nan Caorach, I followed a line of rusty fenceposts down and then across to the wide ridge of Coire Dhrium nan Bo.
Beinn na h-Eaglaise, 906m top and summit of Beinn Sgritheall:
Approaching Beinn na h-Eaglaise:
Looking back to Coire Dhruim nan Bo:
The final section of Beinn na h-Eaglaise looked quite steep and craggy from a distance. On reaching it, it was straight-forward.
View from summit of Beinn na h-Eaglaise:
Loch Hourn:
The next section I have to say I really didn't enjoy. The descent from Beinn na h-Eaglaise to Bealach Arnasdail is steep and craggy. I agree with the SMC Corbett book warning that this descent would be potentially dangerous in mist/wet/snow.
Beinn Sgritheall from Bealach Arnasdail:
Looking back at descent from Beinn na h-Eaglaise:
From the bealach, I ascended Beinn Sgritheall which is also steep!
Beinn na h-Eaglaise and Beinn nan Caorach from Beinn Sgritheall:
By the time I reached the 906m top, I think my knees were telling me I'm getting old.
Beinn Sgritheall from 906m top:
Loch Hourn and (Billy the) boat heading for Barrisdale:
Loch Hourn:
From the 906m top, I headed for the summit of Beinn Sgritheall.
Broken trig point at summit of Beinn Sgritheall:
Loch Hourn islands:
From the summit of Beinn Sgritheall I returned to the 906m top and then down to the bealach Arnasdail. I then descended to Arnisdail
meeting numerous walkers as I descended. One commented, “You must have started
early”. Aye you're right there!
Arnisdale:
On reaching Arnisdale I walked back to Corran, part-way along the road and part along the shore.
Walk along shore back to Corran:
MWIS suggested that the weather today would improve from midday on.
It actually got cloudier and hazier as the day went on, so glad I left early.
More snoring tonight and option 2) is looking good :-).