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Tuesday 6 September 2011

My route for 2012

Well, it may need a little bit of tweaking and find tuning, and I need to check distance and ascent figures, and sort out the odd FWA or two (hopefully not TOO odd!) but I reckon I now have a viable crossing route for 2012 which allows me to take a day out in London to attend my union AGM and annual dinner. Not bad, huh? AND if we are blessed with good weather I may manage a High Level crossing. But I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. It only takes a couple of days when the weather keeps me down, and the total could drop below twelve.

Here's the basic outline of the route:

Saturday 12 May. Lochailort to Corryhully bothy via Prince Charlie's cave, Slaite Coire, Gleann Taodhail, Oban, SGURR NAN COIREACHAN (Munro #1), Sgurr a' Choire Riabhaich and Glen Finnan.

Sunday 13 May. Corryhully to Corran via Callop River and Cona Glen.

Monday 14 May. Corran to Mammore Lodge Hotel via Corran Ferry, Gleann Righ, Lundavra, Blar a' Chaorainn and the West Highland Way.

Tuesday 15 May. Mamore Lodge Hotel to Corrour Station via Allt Coire Na Ba, STOB COIRE A'CHAIRN (Munro #2), An Garbanach, AN GEARANACH (Munro #3), Water of Nevis, Tom an Eite, Abhainn Rath and Creaguineach Lodge. If I arrive at Corrour in plenty of time, there is always the option of a light out-and-back ascent of LEUM UILLEIM (bonus Corbett) while waiting for the train.

Wednesday 16 May. Travel to London on the overnight sleeper; attend union AGM and dinner; return to Corrour on the sleeper.

Thursday 17 May. Corrour to wild camp by Allt Ghlas opposite Ruighe Ghlas via Peter's Rock, Meall na Leitire Duibhe, CARN DEARG (Munro #4), Mam Ban, SGOR GAIBHRE (Munro #5), Sgor Choinnich, Carn a' Bhealaich, Lochan a' Bhealaich, Allt Tom a' Chogaidh and the tracks round the south end of Loch Ericht.

Friday 18 May. Allt Ghlas to Old Struan (making a wild camp beside the River Garry, just behind the kirk) via Allt an Luib Bhain, Allt Cro-chloich, Allt Shallain, Duinish, Creag a' Mhadaidh, Trinafour and roads to Old Struan.

Saturday 19 May. Old Struan to Loch Mairc via Calvine, Bruar, Falls of Bruar, Glen Banvie Wood, Ruichlachrie, Cuilltemhuc, Bruar Lodge, BEINN DEARG (Munro #6) and Loch Mhairc.

Sunday 20 May. Loch Mairc to Loch nan Eun via Braigh Sron Ghorm, Aonach na Cloiche Moire, CARN A' CHLAMAIN (Munro #7), Glen Tilt, Falls of Tarf, Fealar Lodge, Stac na h-Iolair and CARN AN RIGH (Munro #8).

Monday 21 May. Loch nan Eun to Braemar via Mam nan Carn, BEINN IUTHARN MHOR (Munro #9), AN SOCACH (Munro #10), Sgor Mor, Carn na Drochaide and MORRONE (Corbett).

Tuesday 22 May. Braemar to Glas-allt Shiel bothy via Glen Calalter, CARN AN t-SAGAIRT MOR (Munro #11), Carn an t-Sagairt Beag, CARN A'CHOIRE BHOIDEACH (Munro #12), Cac Carn Mor and CAC CARN BEAG of LOCHNAGAR (Munro #13) and the path down the Glas Allt.

Wednesday 23 May. Glas-allt Shiel to Tarfside via Spittal of Glenmuck, Allt Darranie, Shielin of Mark, Glen Lee and Glen Effock.

Thursday 24 May. Tarfside to Fettercairn, via Keenie, Hill of Wirren, East Wirren, Hill of Corathro, Little Tullo, Lochside, Edzell, bridge behind the post office, Bogside, Inch of Arnhall, Drum and Meikle Strath.

Friday 25 May. Fettercairn to St Cyrus via Dowrieburn, Mill of Barnes, South Barns, Burn of Malmakelly, Hill of Garvock, Sillycoats and Hill of Morphie.

It looks challenging ... but fun. Can't wait to get out there and do it!!!

4 comments:

  1. I've done your 17th May route in 2009 and there is a nasty sting in the tail! The paths along the south shore of Loch Ericht do not exist! Also you will be crossing the many burns coming from the forest and there are few bridges. I think I took over 2 hours from reaching the first flat ground near L Ericht to the dam! It's all doable but not an easy end to a hard day.

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  2. OK Andy - thanks for that.

    Did you happen to get a squint at Ruighe Ghlas? I notice from the map there's supposed to be a bridge a little to the North, presumably providing an access route. Is this an available shelter if the weather should be too bad to want to be under canvas? Or is it locked up / ruined / non-existent?

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  3. I didn't get to look at Ruighe Ghlas (or see it!) as I camped at NN512626 in fine weather. My route the next day took me over Sron Bheag and then S of Loch Mheugaidh. I don't know about the bridges being serviceable but the building appears not - see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/265858

    BTW - we met at The Spittal of Glenshee in 2010, I was the late arrival that was talked in to the B&B deal!

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  4. Ah yes - I recall I was quite mellow by the time you arrived, Andy. Having opted out of a planned Munro in favour of just getting down to the Spittal after my hard day the day before, I was making teh most of the facilities on offer. Particularly the bar and the nice roaring fire!

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