BEINN SGULAIRD
Beinn Sgulaird ridge looking to sumit. Photo Steven Fallon
4.0 miles 937 metres
Start Thursday 20.16
Beinn Sgulaird 21.52
Finish 22.08
Squares: yellow changeovers. Circles Summits: green - this leg, purple - to do. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 1.30 Actual 1.52
Rob writes:
On the drive round with Alwyn saw the most stunning view up towards Glen Coe from the Ballachullish Bridge. Purple storm clouds framed the top as a rainbow spanned the glen and brilliant sunshine lit the river banks in the foreground. Then later on we were entertained by a cheeky chaffinch who chattered at us from the car wing mirrors and sat on our open palms to take food.
The stormy weather never broke and after a short road run past a big farm complex I clambered through woods onto the hill and began the steep ascent through slabs and boulders alongside a river and occasional waterfalls. With the steep grass and slabs I was glad it was dry. From a rock basin I climbed to the summit – an entertaining little scramble.
I bypassed the secondary top to the right but then took a poor line down to the changeover – staying too far to the right and not spotting a clear line across hummocky ground. Eventually I followed the valley down the valley to surprise Alwyn who was well wrapped against the midges. He'd obviously been having a torrid time.
Looking up I realised awkward crags would have cut me off and on reflection the changeover was in the wrong place. Alwyn was setting off without a torch but I had my own problems on the descent as a snarling dog pinned me up against a gate. I was tempted to brain it with a rock but just stayed still until I could ease away.
Peaks done 115 time taken 5 days 17 hours peaks to go 163
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