266, 267. Ben Ime (118, P600 59) , Beinn Narnain (259). 14/04/2024

The previous day had been a washout which included: getting very wet, walking for 4h without being able to see anything, failing to cross a large stream because the torrent would have been above our knees and calling Mountain Rescue to assist some fellow walkers in trouble.

This made me determined to get a decent walk in before driving south, despite (yet again) poor forecast. Chris was less fussed. Despite 70mph winds and lots of rain on the mountain forecast, I had optimistically noted that prior to 10am the local forecast did appear dry, so that's when I decided to walk!

The schedule went as follows: 

• 05:40: wake up
• 05:55: leave hotel, eating "breakfast" on foot (half a packet of biscuits)
• 06:02: start route
• 08:15: summit Ben Ime
• 09:25: summit Beinn Narnain
• 10:47: finish route
• 10:55: quick wash and change
• 11:00: hotel checkout

This was a strategy I hadn't really tried before (being rather a breakfast traditionalist), but I'd recommend. There was probably a point about an hour in where I felt a bit lower than usual on energy, but it passed quickly. The views in the (brief) early morning sunshine were spectacular and I had the trail to myself until returning to Beinn Narnain.

The path as far as the three-way junction between these two hills and the cobbler was also excellent - so much so that I failed to find the tiny worn stream that was the actual route up Beinn Narnain. In the end I was glad to tackle them this way round as it meant the weather was behind me more often than not.

I made good time and stayed dry until climbing Beinn Narnain when I had snow. I only got (the less preferable) rain on the final descent. All-in-all I was pleased to beat the weather gods and complete the 17km and 1300m of ascent in 4h45.

Narnain and the Cobbler at first light

Ben Ime still clear of cloud

In the mist at the top of Beinn Narnain

 

265. Gairich (272). 12/04/2024

With some signs that we may have over done it the day before and with very poor forecast, we went for an easier option today. 

From the Loch Quoich dam, we walked south along a "wet path" (which wasn't all that wet really) for 3km before climbing gently west for 3km on the long approach to the peak (mostly on a path). For all this time, the top was clear of cloud, but as we began the final stiff climb the clouds rolled in. We definitely felt we'd got better than the 10% chance of cloud free tops and we only started to get rain on the return journey.

We were a bit damp when we got back to the dam, but not drastically so. The 16km and 800m of ascent had taken us 5h30.

Gairich from across Loch Quoich

A closer view of the broad ridge to the top

 

263, 264. Creag Mhor (84), Beinn Heasgarnich (62). 11/04/2024

As is often the case, hill choices and plans of attack often hinge on weather. There was to be plenty of weather on our long weekend, but the only day we might avoid much rain was the first day. Despite normally preferring a "warm-up day" to start with, we chose something a little longer to make the most of it. We still braced ourselves for upland gales and 10% chance of cloud-free tops.

The walk began with a yomp along the valley to ease us in before making our way up the shoulder of Creag Mhor. There was a decent path most of the way, although we lost it briefly when locating a gate in the deer fence. Approaching the summit we were going into the wind, but it wasn't a problem and the top was just about cloud free when we got there.

It took us a few minutes to locate the way down to the west, but it was obvious when we did and we then bent round north then east to descend into the bealach, before attacking the nose of Beinn Heasgarnich's first top. There was quite a bit of reascent and we only found the path higher up, but the weather was too our backs which meant we were at the top without too much fuss. The walk along the ridge was excellent, being blown along by the weather. Again the top was arguably cloud-free (yes that makes 100% cloud-free munros MWIS!).

There were a few descent options and we chose the route to the east, which Cicerone described as "interesting". It turned out to be "sapping" and quite long, but at least soft on the joints. Then it was an easy walk back down to the road. In all (with 2km more on the road than Cicerone), we took 8h15 for 27km and 1300m ascent.

BH from the shoulder of CM

Bounding up to the summit ridge of BH, with alacrity

Nearing the top of CM

Looking east from the top of CM

A snow bank (that we slid down) at the top of BH