Beinn Sgulaird route, 15 June 95 (1 of 7)
The Corbett Beinn Trilleachan seen after cutting onto the east ridge of Beinn Sgulaird from Glen Ure.
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Hillwalking journal entry for the day:
Thursday 15/6/95
Beinn Sgulaird
12 km, 900 m: 5.5 hrs
Conditions: Continuous sunshine with a gentle breeze on the tops.
Base: Spean Bridge
Map and starting point: OS Sheet 50, GR 036488
<<<<>>>>
The forecast was still excellent for NW Scotland - for the fifth consecutive day! However, in view of the exertions of yesterday I decided to combine a longish drive with a shortish walk: 1 of the 2 Loch Creran Munros fitting the bill. I had originally planned to do both of these hills in one fairly demanding day - but what the heck! I decided on Beinn Sgulaird thus leaving the easier of the 2 for a possible winter ascent.
After an enjoyable drive from Spean Bridge, I parked the car at the formal car park at Elleric: one car already there with 2 walkers preparing for the off. As my sunburnt limbs had at long last healed up I set off in shorts and T shirt for the first time since the Glen Finnan route, after applying a liberal coat of sunblocker to every square mm of exposed flesh.
A pleasant stroll to Glenure farm, then over the bridge (passing a notice stating that deer stalking was in progress till October - several weeks before the start of the stalking season!), and along the track towards the head of Glen Ure.
I cut onto the east ridge of Beinn Sgulaird about 1 km short of Airigh nan Lochan - quite a steep climb but safe enough. Thence a thoroughly enjoyable romp over Stob Gaibhre and 2 minor tops to the summit - not a trace of a path - very refreshing! Definitely one of the best routes of ascent all week with some easy scrambling and excellent retrospective views of the Glen Etive hills etc. I inadvertently disturbed a grouse and chicks along the way and was all but attacked by the irate mother - where was the coy broken wing act! I arrived at the massive summit cairn just after the 2 hill walkers seen in the car park were departing - they had taken a more direct route.
Rather uncharacteristically I had not actually planned a route of descent, but the NW coire from the col between Beinn Sgulaird and Meall Garbh seemed like the best option from the map. I began to question the feasibility of this route whilst descending towards the col, as the upper reaches of the coire appeared to be impossibly steep; however, I spotted a narrow scree slope on the far side of some extensive pink boiler plate slabs which looked to offer a safe way down: this proved to be the case, and the descent was straightforward.
I dropped further down the coire and then contoured round the lower slopes of the hill back to the bridge and thence back to the car.
An excellent route, and one of the most enjoyable days of the week.
Beinn Sgulaird route, 15 June 95 (1 of 7)
The Corbett Beinn Trilleachan seen after cutting onto the east ridge of Beinn Sgulaird from Glen Ure.
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Hillwalking journal entry for the day:
Thursday 15/6/95
Beinn Sgulaird
12 km, 900 m: 5.5 hrs
Conditions: Continuous sunshine with a gentle breeze on the tops.
Base: Spean Bridge
Map and starting point: OS Sheet 50, GR 036488
<<<<>>>>
The forecast was still excellent for NW Scotland - for the fifth consecutive day! However, in view of the exertions of yesterday I decided to combine a longish drive with a shortish walk: 1 of the 2 Loch Creran Munros fitting the bill. I had originally planned to do both of these hills in one fairly demanding day - but what the heck! I decided on Beinn Sgulaird thus leaving the easier of the 2 for a possible winter ascent.
After an enjoyable drive from Spean Bridge, I parked the car at the formal car park at Elleric: one car already there with 2 walkers preparing for the off. As my sunburnt limbs had at long last healed up I set off in shorts and T shirt for the first time since the Glen Finnan route, after applying a liberal coat of sunblocker to every square mm of exposed flesh.
A pleasant stroll to Glenure farm, then over the bridge (passing a notice stating that deer stalking was in progress till October - several weeks before the start of the stalking season!), and along the track towards the head of Glen Ure.
I cut onto the east ridge of Beinn Sgulaird about 1 km short of Airigh nan Lochan - quite a steep climb but safe enough. Thence a thoroughly enjoyable romp over Stob Gaibhre and 2 minor tops to the summit - not a trace of a path - very refreshing! Definitely one of the best routes of ascent all week with some easy scrambling and excellent retrospective views of the Glen Etive hills etc. I inadvertently disturbed a grouse and chicks along the way and was all but attacked by the irate mother - where was the coy broken wing act! I arrived at the massive summit cairn just after the 2 hill walkers seen in the car park were departing - they had taken a more direct route.
Rather uncharacteristically I had not actually planned a route of descent, but the NW coire from the col between Beinn Sgulaird and Meall Garbh seemed like the best option from the map. I began to question the feasibility of this route whilst descending towards the col, as the upper reaches of the coire appeared to be impossibly steep; however, I spotted a narrow scree slope on the far side of some extensive pink boiler plate slabs which looked to offer a safe way down: this proved to be the case, and the descent was straightforward.
I dropped further down the coire and then contoured round the lower slopes of the hill back to the bridge and thence back to the car.
An excellent route, and one of the most enjoyable days of the week.