Route description: Glas Maol Munros circuit, Cairnwell Pass Munros included on this walk: Carn an Tuirc; Cairn of Claise; Glas Maol; Creag Leacach Time taken: 6.5 hours Distance: 19.5 km Ascent: 1033m |
Then plan had been to head West into Glencoe but a clear East/West divide in the weather forecast meant that an alternative had to be found. A quick re-check of the MWIS forecast pointed us in the direction of the Cairngorms and the Cairnwell pass, described as a straightforward round in good conditions for 4 Munros. I'll be the judge of that ! The conditions were certainly good as we arrived at the layby a few hundred metres past the Glenshee Ski Centre at around 10am. The forecast was for clearing summits later in the day with strong winds gusting to 45mph on the tops. They were proven to be fairly accurate ! We followed a grassy path through the glen of Allt a Garbh-choire, crossing through a few boggy patches on the gentle ascent. Soon the path turns into loose stones which combined with the much steeper gradient made for hard work. This would be my 9th Munro and I had never found the initial ascent as taxing as this on any previous walks. However, with a few more breaks than normal we reached the summit plateau in around 90 mins. The summit itself was quite feature less but the clear skies assured good 360 degree views. We then headed of East across pretty featureless terrain. It was relatively flat between the 2 summits which was surprising if not unwelcome. The wind had definitely picked up and was gusting strongly as we made our way to the 2nd Munro of Cairn of Claise (1064m) It is another pretty straightforward walk over to the 3rd and highest of today's Munros, Glas Maol. Although it is considerably further than it first appeared from the 2nd peak, the walking is easy and uneventful. The odd blast of wind serves as a reminder of how brutal conditions can be up here. It is easy to forget in these clear blue skies just how treacherous navigation in this mostly featureless terrain could become if the cloud base were suddenly to drop. It certainly felt cooler up here as the wind was pretty constant now. The good thing was we had the most scenic and widely regarded as the best summit of the 4 ahead of us now. It was quite busy on the walk over, in both directions. I'm sure we even passed Steve Fallon taking a guided tour on the reverse route. The walk is now over a more clearly defined ridge and looks fantastic in the afternoon sunshine. We reached the summit of Creag Leacach in exactly 4 hours after leaving the car. To complete the circuit we continued along the stony ridge to the southwest top (943m) from here we descended steeply, very, very steeply northwest to reach the bealach below Meall Gorm. Following a faint path we eventually reached the stream which we crossed and began to walk back towards the main road. It was not the easiest walk out, the path was very narrow and cut along a the steep slopes of the Coire a'Bhathaich. We eventually reached the A93 and began the 4km slog back up the road to the car. This was no fun and will never be repeated ! I quickly begun to see where Chris Rea had got his inspiration from !! After a mind numbing 45min walk along the A93 we reached the car, a very welcome sight. We couldn't wait to get in and enjoy a comfy seat. So keen in fact that as we drove off a fellow walker had to wave us down to point my mate had left behind his brand new fancy carbon trekking poles ! Despite the tarmac torture this was another great day in the hills and saw numbers 9-12 safely in the bag.
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Munros ClimbedBinnein Mor Na Gruagaichean Schiehallion Ben Lomond (no walk report) Stob Dearg Stob na Broige Beinn Ghlas Ben Chonzie Ben Lawers Ben Vorlich Bidean Nam Bian Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain Cairn of Claise Carn An Tuirc Carn Liath (Beinn a'Ghlo) Carn nan Gabhar Creag Leacach Glas Maol Stuc A'Chroin Stob Coire Raineach Stob Coire Sgreamhach Stob Dubh Meall nan Tarmachan (no walk report) Mayar Driesh The Cairnwell Carn Aosda Carn a'Gheoidh Meall Chuaich (no walk report) Stob Diamh Geal Charn (no walk report) A' Mharconaich (no walk report) Sgairneach Mhor (no walk report) Beinn Udlamain (no walk report) Carn Gorm Meall Garbh (Carn Marig) Carn Marig Creag Mhor Beinn Narnain Beinn Ime Geal Charn (Monadhliath) (no walk report) Meall Greigh Meall Garbh An Stuc Meall Corranaich (no walk report) Meall a'Choire Leith (no walk report) Beinn an Dothaidh Beinn Dorain Sgor Gaoith Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) Ben Nevis Carn Mor Dearg Creise Meall a'Bhuiridh Ben More Stob Binnein Meall Buidhe BeinnChabhair A'Bhuidheanach Bheag (no report) Stuchd an Lochain Beinn a'Chocuill Beinn Eunaich Ben Starav Glas Bheinn Mhor Beinn Achaladair Beinn a'Chreachain An Caisteal Beinn a'Chroin Beinn Tulaichean Cruach Ardrain Meall Ghaordaidh Ben Challum An Socach Chno Dearg Stob Coire Sgriodain Beinn a'Chaorainn Beinn Teallach Ben Lui Beinn a'Chleibh Stob Coire Easain Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin Bynack More Stob Ghabhar Stob a'Choire Odhair Carn a'Mhaim Beinn Mhanach Stob Ban (grey corries) Ben Cruachan (updated report) Sgorr Dhearg Sgorr Dhonuill Carn Liath (Creag Meagaidh) Stob Poite Coire Ardair (no walk report) Creag Meagaidh (no walk report) Cac Carn Beag (Lochnagar) Carn a'Choire Bhoidheach Carn an t-Sagairt Mor Cairn Bannoch Stob Ban (Mamores) Mullach nan Coirean Broad Cairn Carn a'Chlamain Sgurr Fiona Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill Archives
June 2019
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