Beinn Bhreac Mhor; Fuar Tholl
Beinn Bhreac Mhor
Our party of five, met at the car park at Coignafearn (Old Lodge) in Strathdearn only to realise that just one of us didn't have a bike with them. And two of the other four had e-bikes. Fiona helpfully offered to leave her bike at her car and walk with Saoirse, while Mhairi was unfazed by the lack of e-power.
Catherine, Ewen and Mhairi followed the track that went up the western flank of Beinn Bhreac Mhor before finally leaving the bikes at the last of several fords before Beinn Bhreac Mhor. It wasn't so much that there was too much water, just that manoeuvring heavy bikes over slippy rocks which were under 30 cms of water while trying to keep your balance on equally slippy rocks was tricky. We'd crossed over/through half a dozen of these fords by then and suddenly walking seemed like a good idea. The route to the summit became a bit of a boggy meander from this point but the views from on high were good and there was even some sunshine in the distance. Getting back was a breeze, if a damp one for Ewen – see reference to slippy rocks above.
Fiona and Saoirse meanwhile ended up walking along to the bigger Coignafearn Lodge along the track to the west and then went up Meall an Duibhe and Carn Leachtar Dhubh before returning to the car park via the track the cyclists had taken. All in all a very pleasant day on the hill.
Taking part: Catherine, Ewen, Fiona, Mhairi and Saoirse
Words: Catherine
Photos: Catherine and Ewen
Fuar Tholl
It was a pleasant, mild morning as our group of nine (plus two dogs) set-off from the car park below Achnashellach train station. Our plan for the day was to ascend Fuar Tholl and Sgorr Ruadh. After crossing the railway line, we were soon ambling along the forestry track. Up ahead, to our left, Fuar Tholl looked impressive. Reaching a height of 907 metres, Fuar Tholl is the 13th highest Corbett and is one of the easier to reach given its proximity to the main road. We could make out the top of The South Cliffs, a vertical wall of rock running down from the summit on the eastern side of Fuar Tholl, and the crags of Leth Chreag. Wisps of low cloud floated about the mountain.
A good track winds its way up into Coire Lair, allowing us to gain height relatively quickly. Reaching a cairn marking the junction where a side path drops down to the River Lair, we stopped to discuss our options and after a bit of humming and hawing, the decision was reached to head directly for Bealach Mor. River successfully crossed, we continued on the good path leading to Bealach Mor. The views got better and better as we gained height - down below us, on our right, Loch Coire Lair was dark and still; behind us, across the coire, the massive bulk of Beinn Liath Mhor. Patches of low cloud and mist added atmosphere to the scenery.
Reaching Bealach Mor, the views west opened up. Maol Chean-dearg and An Ruadh-Stac both looked impressive. At the bealach we discussed which hill to tackle first – Fuar Tholl or Sgorr Ruadh. Given the time we agreed to go for Fuar Tholl, leaving Sgorr Ruadh for another day.
Bealach Mor is actually a very nice spot, dotted as it is with numerous little lochans, and with the dramatic cliffs of the Mainreachan Buttress towering above.
We slowly made our way up the rocky slopes of Creag Mainnrichean, passed over the top of the Mainreachan Buttress, then a short down and back up again brought us to Fuar Tholl’s summit. It was time for lunch.
Suitably fed and watered, four of the group decided they would attempt to head down the easterly ridge of the mountain which takes you across ‘The Nose’ and Leth Chreag. The rest headed back the way they had come which, with the benefit of hindsight, was the sensible thing to do. The first section of the easterly ridge is steep, narrow, and exposed. The path is indistinct in places. Rain over recent days meant slippery terrain underfoot. The group of four didn’t get far before abandoning the whole enterprise and making their way back up to the summit. From there they retraced their steps to the col between the summit and the top of the Mainreachan Buttress, then turned northwards following the path that zigzags down the scree slopes and into Coire Mainnrichean, eventually reaching the path used earlier in the day to reach Bealach Mor. The rest of the group were slightly further back up the path towards Bealach Mor but they eventually caught up.
Back across the River Clair, it was downhill all the way back to the car park. It had been a good day. The sun had come out for spells, it had been mild for the time of year, and the scenery and company had been excellent.
Taking part: Emma, Nell, Brian, Becky, Stuart, May, Matt, Richard and Arthur
Words: Brian
Photos: Nell and Arthur
