Wednesday, February 08, 2012

141. Beinn Mhanach (211) 05/02/2012

Despite the forecast looking similar to the previous day, this turned out quite different: a couple of 20 minute showers and some high cloud, but otherwise excellent walking conditions.

Not trusting the forecast an inch, we opted for Beinn Mhanach. This was a fair walk away, but we knew that once there the summit climb would be short and we wouldn't have to bear the worst of the conditions for too long. It was an easy walk down to Auch, where the railway line makes the pleasant shape of an Elliptic Curve, as I'm sure you will have noticed. From there we walked up the perfect glaciated trench that is the Auch Gleann. Here the track was clearly not designed for walkers, since it crossed the Allt Kinglass no fewer than 11 times before we reached the hill. None were really difficult, but needless to say, on the 22nd crossing I did finally get my feet wet.

There was still cloud covering the tops when Chris and I began the final mile up the hill itself, but miraculously there was a half hour spell of blue sky which coincided with our approach to the top. The climb itself was fairly easy and we were pleased to be able to get some snaps from the summit.

Although the track gave aching legs after 15 miles when we got back to Bridge of Orchy, the walk had only taken 6 and a half hours and it was definitely no trouble to use the hotel as a starting point, rather than getting a bit closer by car.

The length of the Auch Gleann, looking SW.

Looking east from the top.

Beinn Mhanach from Beinn Dorain on a clearer day.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home