Date: Friday 15th November 2019
Company: Just myself
Distance: 15.4km, Ascent: 925m
Time: 6Hrs 50Mins
Apologies for the lack of recent hillwalking reports on my website. Due to a combination of ongoing injury and illness I have been off the hills for a couple of months, my longest break from the hills since 1999. It was great to make a return to the hills this weekend.
On Thursday afternoon, I drove from home to Glen Creran where I parked up for the evening with a view to ascending Beinn Fhionnlaidh the following morning. The weather forecast was quite good, so I was optimistic for a good day on the hill. All going well this would be Munro 222 of Round 2. My first ascent of Beinn Fhionnlaidh was from Glen Etive, for my second ascent I decided to ascend from Glen Creran.
After a chilly night in the van, I got suited and booted circa 45 minutes before sunrise and set off walking towards the hill.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
I was certain I had lost hill fitness as a result of my two month break but it was a bit of a struggle from the outset due to the weight of my pack. As well as all my winter clothing, food and water I was carrying ice axe, crampons and a DSLR with 400mm lens. In hindsight, I didn't need the ice axe and crampons and didn't use the DSLR so could have saved carrying 6kg by not taking those three items.
Darkness soon gave way to wall-to-wall blue skies as I made my way through the estate.
Looking back towards the Glen Creran car park:
The route through the estate towards Beinn Fhionnlaidh is waymarked. As I walked through the estate, I got a couple of friendly waves from estate workers.
Good waymarking within the Glen Creran Estate:
There is a good track which heads-up through the forest. I missed the start of the track owing to not walking far enough to reach it. I set off up through the forest too soon.
Onto the track through the forest:
The ridge acending Beinn Fhionnlaidh is broad and undulating. It is possible to take a variety of lines up the hill. The grass was fairly short and all boggy sections were frozen solid which both made for a pleasant ascent.
Looking back along Glen Creran:
As I gained height the views got got better and better. I stopped many times during the ascent to take photos, all with my iPhone.
Looking back during initial ascent (Beinn Sgulaird to the left):
Before venturing out of the shade and into the sun, I stopped to apply sunscreen and put on my sunglasses.
Grassy lower slopes of Beinn Fhionnlaidh:
Having driven past the Cairngorms the day previous enroute to Glen Creran, I was suprised at the lack of snow in Argyll. The Cairngorms are currently plastered in snow. During the ascent I stopped to take a photo of the Corbett, Fraochaidh with my shadow. Any excuse for a stop to catch my breath
.Looking across to Fraochaidh during ascent:
During the ascent I also passed a number of large erratics deposited during the last ice age.
An erratic:
Until now, I had not seen the top of Beinn Fhionnlaidh. When it came into view, I knew the ice axe and crampons would be staying in the bag.
Beinn Fhionnlaidh snow-capped summit coming into view:
Both small lochans passed enroute to Beinn Fhionnlaidh had a good covering of ice.
Beinn Sgulaird beyond and unnamed lochan:
During the ascent I passed Lochan Cairn Dairg to its north side and on the return passed the lochan on its south side. There is a faint path to the south side.
Beinn Fhionnlaidh beyond Lochan Cairn Dairg:
I stopped countless times during the ascent just to look back and soak in the views.
Wonderful view on looking back:
I reached the snowline at a height of around 720m. Below 850m was pretty-much just a dusting of snow.
Ascending above the snowline:
The final couple of kilometres to the summit are nice and gentle. This is an easier but slightly longer route than the approach from Glen Etive.
Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Fhionnlaidh:
Onto the upper slopes of Beinn Fhionnlaidh:
Despite looking nice and warm, it was bitterly cold. The MWIS forecast windchill was -12C. It was however a sublime day for views!
Looking back to Beinn Sgulaird, Glen Creran and Fraochaidh:
Not there yet!:
Looking back:
As is the case with many hills, just when you think you are getting to the top, another top appears ahead.
Still not there yet:
Looking back:
It was great to reach the summit. I got to the top slower than anticipated but wasn't in the slightest bit worried. Why rush on such a perfect day.
At the summit of Beinn Fhionnlaidh:
At the summit of Beinn Fhionnlaidh:
I spent around ten minutes at the summit soaking in the views before heading back.
From the summit, I retraced my footsteps back to the snowline and then just made up a line back down towards the Glen Creran Estate. On reaching the van, it was great to stick on the kettle for a large, hot coffee.
A wonderful day
.