ARDVERIKIE FOREST
From Beinn Eibhinn to Aonach Beag and Geal-Charn, the fast sections. Photo https://colinlamont.com
18.5 miles 2040 metres
Start Saturday 17.44
Carn Dearg 18.20
Geal-Charn 18.57
Aonach Beag 19.07
Beinn Eibhinn 19.19
Beinn a' Chlachair 20.29
Geal Charn 21.20
Creag Pitridh 21.48
Finish 22.36
Squares: yellow - changeover, red - finish. Circles summits - green this leg. <ap Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 7.00 Actual 4.52
I had deliberately started in shorts, because I knew it would make me climb fast, but half way up I stopped and put on all the clothing I was carrying, Helly Hansen vest and tights, sweat shirt, waterproofs, balaclava and gloves.
I reached the ridge within a few yards of the summit of Carn Dearg. Then came the drive into the gale. After a while the stones gave way to grass, and to our mutual surprise I met a party of four coming the other way. As I was wearing everyting, my pack was empty except for my emergency pack, and my antibiotics whose continuous rattle provided a percussive backing to the moan and roar of the wind. In the event, they all disintegrated and my pack remained covered in white powder for the rest of the trip.
Before Geal Charn lay one of the four 3000ft tops which I had never done, and despite more exposure to the full force of the gale, I made sure that I passed it. The ridge onto Geal Charn narrows and climbs steeply. Here there was at last shelter from the wind, and the cloud lifted a little so that I could see the impressive Coire Cheap.
One of our suggested informal challenges was the fastest time between two Munros. Various people had ideas as to where they might win this, but I had always felt that either of the next two might win it, so I ran extra hard after Geal Charn. The weather was hardly helpful – into a gale and the need to check my compass direction, but I reached Aonach Beag in nine minutes and fifty three seconds. The route to Beinn Eibhinn was rockier, and I suspect my pace was dropping, so it turned out a little slower.
The cloud had risen a bit here, and I had been able to spot a likely looking route down from the saddle after Aonach Beag. I had had some discussion about the best way to get over to Beinn a' Chlachair, as the straightest route looked decidedly unpleasant on the map. In the event it proved a great descent. A grassy terrace appeared which took me over the side spur with almost no reascent.
The steep slog up Beinn a' Chlachair was tough. The cloud had come very low now, and I was tired from the long battle with the elements. However the ridge itself was worse, it seemed interminable, and the hill certainly lives up to its name – Hill of Stones. Although the storm was now behind me, it was hard to keep balanced, as I tottered from stone to stone for about twenty minutes.
At last the relief of steep grass and relative shelter. Visibility was now very low, and I was very unsure about identifying the paths on the map, so I followed the compass to the saddle which was so vague, that it was only by climbing again that I was sure I had passed it.
The ascent of the second Geal Charn of the leg seemed interminable, as I had somehow diminished its size in my mind. However it did eventually arrive, and I started the tricky descent to Creag Pitridh. I was a fraction left of my estimated position, but noticed the path as I crossed it, and that the slope did not then flatten out as I expected. There was just enough light to read the map to work out that I had to move a bit right. Had I been a few minutes later, I do not think I would have found the saddle at all, and I am not sure I could have found the hill!
Anyway, from the summit of Creag Pitridh, I simply descended in a south westerly direction until I reached a path in the valley. It was now path and track for four tired miles – I even stopped to walk on two brief undisciplined occasions.
I did not expect that my arrival time would make any difference, as I could not imagine Rob setting out on a 20 mile leg in such weather with the night ahead of him, although I could imagine the huge psychological boost in the morning if he had at least go over the first Munro before starting again after a bivvy.
I was to say the least amazed to find Rob standing out in the rain waiting for me with every sign of enthusiasm for a night out. I found myself offering cautious advice although I was very pleased that he was starting.
In the van, there was some discussion about his position. Apparently he had never been that distance before, and I doubted very much that he had ever experienced such inclement weather. However, we knew he had bivvy gear, and could always retreat for the night.
Peaks done 165 time taken 7 days 20 hours peaks to go 112
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