Mamores Magic
Last weekend was the annual trip RuggerChap and I have to catch a few Munros in the Highlands. We had to reschedule due to work purposes but fortunately the weather was neither too hot nor too wet.
The original intention was to complete the loop of Na Gruagaichean, Binnein Mor, Binnein Beag and Sgurr Eilde Mor so we set off refreshed (after a few Cinzano's at the local establishments in Kinlochleven) at 9.15am for the Mamores. We followed the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall trail into the valley between Am Bodach and Na Gruagaichean. It eventually winds it's way up the hill to a very small lochan at 196651. We then made the dash for 1000m point uphill for 600m. Not too strenuous for me, but RuggerChap was finding it tough going due to a wee trip earlier and the heat was causing him to sweat from pores he claimed he never knew he had. The mist that had been hanging around all day cleared on top of Na Gruagaichean and we could see Binnein Mor ahead - it's huge mass swirling in and out of the mist. We summited Na Gruagaichean at 1.10pm and an hour and 10 minutes later were on Binnein Mor. One look from the summit and the fact that we had taken 5 hours to get where we were confirmed that Binnein Beag would have to live to fight another day. We backtracked towards Sgurr Eilde Beag and descended to Coire an Lochain. RuggerChap had some reservations about pushing on to Sgurr Eilde Mor and contemplated waiting at the bottom and having a dip in the high lochan while I scooted up and down the last munro but he decided to go for it anyway.
A slow ascent followed on the scree but the views over to Glencoe and the Rannoch Moor confirmed that it was worthwhile. We summited at 4.20pm and were pleased to have a roll with no black flies everywhere in the wee breeze. Still a fairly warm day even above 1000m. A very steep descent back to the lochan and then the long 6km walk got us back into Kinlochleven at 7.30pm.
A quick shower and then off to the hut for cider and haggis from the store cupboards.
The original intention was to complete the loop of Na Gruagaichean, Binnein Mor, Binnein Beag and Sgurr Eilde Mor so we set off refreshed (after a few Cinzano's at the local establishments in Kinlochleven) at 9.15am for the Mamores. We followed the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall trail into the valley between Am Bodach and Na Gruagaichean. It eventually winds it's way up the hill to a very small lochan at 196651. We then made the dash for 1000m point uphill for 600m. Not too strenuous for me, but RuggerChap was finding it tough going due to a wee trip earlier and the heat was causing him to sweat from pores he claimed he never knew he had. The mist that had been hanging around all day cleared on top of Na Gruagaichean and we could see Binnein Mor ahead - it's huge mass swirling in and out of the mist. We summited Na Gruagaichean at 1.10pm and an hour and 10 minutes later were on Binnein Mor. One look from the summit and the fact that we had taken 5 hours to get where we were confirmed that Binnein Beag would have to live to fight another day. We backtracked towards Sgurr Eilde Beag and descended to Coire an Lochain. RuggerChap had some reservations about pushing on to Sgurr Eilde Mor and contemplated waiting at the bottom and having a dip in the high lochan while I scooted up and down the last munro but he decided to go for it anyway.
A slow ascent followed on the scree but the views over to Glencoe and the Rannoch Moor confirmed that it was worthwhile. We summited at 4.20pm and were pleased to have a roll with no black flies everywhere in the wee breeze. Still a fairly warm day even above 1000m. A very steep descent back to the lochan and then the long 6km walk got us back into Kinlochleven at 7.30pm.
A quick shower and then off to the hut for cider and haggis from the store cupboards.
Comments