Hills: Cona' Mheall
Date: Friday 24th January 2020
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 23.9km, Ascent: 1105m
Time: 8Hrs 15Mins


For our ascent of Cona' Mheall we arrived at the Inverlael car park circa two hours before sunrise for a headtorch start. I last walked the Gleann na Sguaib track in November 2018 for an ascent of Beinn Dearg and Meall nan Ceapraichean, and prior to that in January 2016 for an ascent of Eididh nan Clach Geala. The route ahead was therefore familiar.

The MWIS forecast for the North-West Highlands had suggested 70% cloud-free Munros. Alas, we were about to ascend some of the 30% non cloud-free Munros. My camera therefore stayed mostly in its bag throughout the walk.

Despite the inclement weather it felt great to get back out on the hills after what has been a stressful past six weeks having had an operation to remove skin cancer and my mum having past away.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

After an hour or so there was sufficient light to switch off our headtorches. It was nice to again see the Eas Fionn waterfall as we progressed along the track. As the River Lael was in spate, Eas Fionn looked very powerful. 

River Lael:


After crossing the River Lael we commenced our ascent towards Coire Mathair Lathail ascending the lower and then the upper coire.

Ascent to col between Meall nan Ceapraichean and Beinn Dearg:


On approaching the col between Meall nan Ceapraichean and Beinn Dearg the cloud lifted briefly providing us with false hope that the weather was improving.

Meall nan Ceapraichean:


Col between Meall nan Ceapraichean and Beinn Dearg:


A short distance below the col a solitary ptarmigan stood next to the track. It stood its ground until I was perhaps 10 feet away from it before it flew off making a lovely croaking sound as it did so. During the ascent of the coire we also passed two Dipper.

Ptarmigan:


Once at the col we made our way towards the 886m top before descending circa 100m to the col between the 886m top and Cona' Mheall.

Lochan between Beinn Dearg and 886m top:


During the descent to the col it was great to again see stunning Coire Ghrande. The cliffs surrounding the loch are very impressive.

Descent to col between 886m top and Cona' Mheall:


Coire Ghrande:


To ascend Cona' Mheall we tried to avoid as much of the scree as possible by following grassy lines of ascent.

Cona' Mheall:


The final ascent to the summit was very slippery due to ice-covered rocks topped with a dusting of snow. It was great to reach the summit of Munro225Rd2.

Cona' Mheall summit:


From the summit we returned back to the car via the same route.

Lochan between Beinn Dearg and Meall nan Ceapraichean:


An enjoyable day out despite worse than anticipated weather and several current aches and pains. Well done to Ann-Marie on bagging another Munro.