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.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

Parking beside the Ceilidh House, Corran:


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 :-).