BEINN A' BHUIRD AND BEINN AVON
Ben Avon summit. Photo tms.nickbramhall.com
23.4 miles 1399 metres
Start Monday 08.20
Beinn Bhreac 09.01
Beinn a' Chorainn 09.38
Beinn a' Bhuird 10.20
Ben Avon 10.53
Finish 12.23
Squares: yellow - changeover, red - finish. Circles summits: green - this leg, red - done. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 6.00 Actual 4.03
Dave writes:
The weather had cleared last night, allowing Ian to have a good run, followed by Ed combining to arrive at the earliest possible time yet again! Pippa and I had cycled up to Luibeg bothy last night arriving around 1 am, it didn't feel homely or inviting though, and fears that the W.D.C. may turn up meant we put the tent up, and had a good kip in that.
A strong wind was blowing today, no midges, and even helpful whilst it was behind. A few light showers about and some threatening cloud, I had my contacts in today.
Beinn Bhreac passed without incident, Beinn a' Bhuird stayed in cloud. Climbing onto Beinn a' Chaorainn I was intrigued to see the lower Beinn Bhreac covered in cloud whilst I was clear, to the N it looked like clear skies.
Some rough ground followed as I headed for Beinn a' Bhuird, granite boulder fields then peat hags. With some relief I set my compass and climbed into the cloud heading for the crags just south of the N top. Finding these I located the summit then more compass work to the Sneck.
Ben Avon was clear, the summit tor basking, but as I climbed onto the hill, cloud pockets came down, granite tors, sunshine, cloud all mixed, what a strange place. I squatted on the summit, the wind too strong to stand, then began the long run out, first against the wind, then better downhill sections.
In contrast to yesterday I felt exhausted and completely drained at the end of this run, although the final run was enjoyable.
Peaks done 200 time taken 9 days 9 hours peaks to go 77
We were about to go off and phone the police when Diana and Ian arrived after their leisurely drive. I voiced concerns as calmly as I was able, and was glad to be able to get away immediately with John.
Pippa was glad to be able to get away with Dave, whilst we settled down to wait.
I had been concerned that the continuous peat groughs which I remembered from a previous walk out westwards from Mount Keen, would thoroughly demoralise Rob. I had therefore warned him not to expect the apparently flat miles of his leg to be easy, but had still tried to encourage him that the schedule time was possible, even though I did not believe that he could do it.
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