Ardverikie Munros - Creag Pitridh and Geal Chàrn
Lying between Laggan and Alder, the Ardverikie Forest is a wild area containing three Munro peaks, Beinn a’ Chlachair, Geal Charn and Creag Pitridh. Seven club members, two prospective members, two guests (both former club members) and three dogs assembled at the usual parking spot at the South West end of Loch Laggan to tackle the Ardverikie munros. Or some of them as it turned out.
The usual “ hares” - May, Jan, Brian, Anne and Nell - led off. Helen, Catherine and Arthur set a more modest pace, bringing up the rear. We three only had ambitions for Creag Pitridh anyway. The initial 5km to Lochan na h-Earba passed quickly on good tracks and we soaked in the fine views of the Lochan(s) framed by the crags of Binnean Shuas and Creag Pitridh. “Lochans” for Lochan Na h-Earba is two lochans with the same name - for now, at least. More of that later.
Michael turned back with a leg injury, to spend the day sweltering in my car awaiting the group’s return. We set off up the stalker’s path towards the Bealach Leamhain. Most of the party decided to tackle Creag Pitridh first using the rough walkers path up its grassy slopes. Helen, Catherine and Arthur continued up the stalker’s path to the Bealach Leamhain for a leisurely lunch before dropping a little way to pick up another stalker’s path to the col between Creag Pitridh and Geal Chàrn. There we met the rest of the party.
Looking west. Meall Luidh Mòr in the mid distance
Lochan Na h-Earba framed by Binnien Shias and the lower crags of Creag Ptiridh
Helen and Catherine on the stalkers path to the bealach
The endless grassy slopes of Creag Pitridh
Anne, Jason and Jan taking a breather.
A bonny, tumbling burn
Helen and Catherine on Creag Pitridh summit
Catherine and Arthur on Creag Pitridh summit
Binnien Shios with Loch Laggan behind from Creag Pitridh summit
The heat of the day was taking its toll. Sean, one of the new prospective members, decided that Creag Pitridh was enough for him and the rest of the group decided that Creag Pitridh and Geal Chàrn would suffice, leaving Beinn a’ Chlachair for another day. Meanwhile, Helen, Catherine and Arthur set off to climb Creag Pitridh. We all met up again on the sandy beach at the end of Lochan na h-Earba.
it is proposed that Lochan na h-Earba will be the bottom dam for a hydro pump storage scheme. The outer ends of the two lochans will have embankment dams constructed to raise the level of the lochans by 20 metres joining the two lochans. The upper dam would raise the level of Loch a’ Bhealaich Leamhain (as its name suggests at the bealach below Beinn a’ Chlachair) by 65 metres and involve a 1 kilometre wide concrete and rockfill dam. Tunnels would connect the two dams and a powerhouse on the south shore of Loch na h-Earba,. This would be buried into the hillside beneath a surface building and electrical switchyard. This would be the largest pump storage scheme in the UK.
The planning application is with the Scottish Government for consideration. Mountaineering Scotland decided after surveying the membership that they would comment on the application rather than object. The project website is here https://earbastorage.co.uk/the-project/
This was a fine day, in fine countryside. It was good to meet up again with friends (including Monty, Trevor and Demi - all of whom had the advantage of four legs) and to meet new folk in the club.
Taking part: Nell, Jan, Anne, Helen, May, Michael, Arthur, Brian (guest) Catherine (guest) and prospective members Sean and Jason.
Words and Photos: May, Sean and Arthur