Fersit and the Forest

Having waved my dad off on the early train, I headed to Fersit, intending to climb Chno Dearg. As I set off from the car park, so did a minibus load of loud walkers, obviously with the same target in mind. Not wishing for such an intrusion on my planned solitude, I quickly changed my plan and decided to explore the lower paths, via Creag Dhubh and the Corrour Estate road.



My intention was to join the estate road by Strathossian and then head back into the forest, but a minor navigation error brought me out a couple of km north! I followed the road to where it joins the track back round to Fersit, and ignoring the FC notices telling me that logging was taking place and that I would die if I proceded without a hard hat, I continued on. On three separate occasions I was nearly trampled underfoot as deer decided to make a dash for it in front of me, but other than that I succeeded in getting my peace and quiet.

(Technical Data: distance = 18km, ascent = 300m)

The Pipeline

At the start of the 20th Century, a group of navvies built Blackwater dam and reservoir so that they could feed the aluminium smelter in Kinlochleven. The pipeline runs from the dam down into the village, a distance of around 7.5km and a 320m drop. They also built a pipeline linking Loch Eilde Mor to Blackwater reservoir, and it was the path by this pipeline that we walked along.



To spare my dad the initial slog, we parked at Mamore Lodge and followed the track up to Loch Eilde Mor, pausing regularly to marvel at the view back along Loch Leven. Once at Loch Eilde Mor, the track continues to Luibeilt, but we branched off, following the path round to the small dam at the Southern point of the loch.

Yesterday's rain was evident as we joined the path along the pipeline. There were a few patches where we had to detour to keep our feet dry, but generally it wasn't too bad. At the point where the pipeline started to swing back round to the East, we stopped for lunch, and then took the path steeply down towards the River Leven.

Upon arrival in Kinlochleven, I left my dad in the visitor centre and slogged back up to Mamore Lodge to fetch the car.

(Technical Data: distance = 13km, ascent = 490m)

Loch Ossian - Anticlockwise!

Having done this walk clockwise last time we decided to go the other way this time! The path to the South of the loch is a footpath, whereas to the North, it is the estate road.

Once again, the weather was perfect, and about 10 mins into the walk we bumped into one of my colleagues who was heading back after topping out Beinn na Lap! Despite the perfect weather, we only saw a handful of people all day - the perfect setting and peaceful. Thank goodness for wilderness without road access.

(Technical Data: distance = 14km, ascent = 150m)

Laraig Leacach

I'd arranged to meet up with my dad at Corrour, so left the car at Spean Bridge and set off through the Laraig Leacach. The first three miles were along a road, which was a bit of a trudge, despite being next to the river.

The turn off at Choirechoille was welcome, although this was still a well prepared track. It was obvious that it was used by logging vehicles, and much of the forest had been cleared. This was soon left behind, and the track entered into a narrow valley. Eventually I rounded a corner and saw the bothy. With the sun burning down, it was wonderful to sit in the cool bothy and have lunch. From notes in the visitors log, it appeared that others had enjoyed lunch there yesterday sheltering from the sun.


From the bothy to Loch Treig, the path followed the river. No longer a track, in places it was overvcome by peat bog, although in the dry weather this didn't pose too much of a problem. A delghtful short section through a gorge brought some welcome shade, followed by the forst sighting of the loch.

I passed by the boarded up Creaguaineach Lodge and joined the track round the loch head, and up towards Corrour. I opted for the direct route alongside the railway line, assuming correctly that the bog wouldn't be too bad. Like the bothy and Loch Treig earlier, the station house wasn't visible until I was very close. Having been out in the heat and sun all day, the cold shower I had on arrival was wonderful!!

(Technical Data: distance = 25km, ascent = 750m)

The Mamores

Saturday
I parked at Gray Mare's Tail carpark in Kinlochleven, and set off without too much of a definite plan. I knew that I wanted to camp high, and had my sights set on doing a couple of the Munros at the Eastern end of the Mamores. At the time it seemed like a good idea not to park at Mamore Lodge Hotel - although with hindsight it would have saved me an awkward descent.


The path out of the carpark rises steeply up to where it joins the landrover track to Luibeilt. Shortly after, the path around Sgurr Eilde Beag became visible and took me up to the lochan where I thought I may camp. Once I'd decided that doing the whole range in 2 days would be hard work, I homed in on a vague plan to do Sgurr Eilde Mor and Binnean Beag on Sat, and then Binnean Mor and Na Gruagaichean on Sunday. In my quest to keep the rucksack weight down, I'd conveniently decided against taking the guide book with me, and as I got to the lochan, I realised that none of the paths were obvious! The other "problem" was that the descent between the lochan and the path to Binnean Beag was far bigger that I'd expected.

I set off to climb Sgurr Eilde Mor, and was soon overtaken by a group who seemed to know the route (always helpful!). About 1/2 way up I decided to abandon the rucksack, and was able to continue at a far quicker pace. The path near the top was steep, and the loose rock made it hard going. Eventually I reached the summit to discover that the group that had overtaken me were celebrating one of their number having completed all 284 Munros!

The descent down the top section was een hairier than going up, but I managed to collect my rucksck and make it back down to the lochan where I set up camp.

Sunday
Having had a fitful night's sleep, I managed to lie in until 8.30. My plan was to follow a path (marked on the map) up to the ridge between Sgurr Eilde Beag and an unnamed top. Once on the ridge I would be able to see Binnean Mor and Na Gruagaichean and decide between these. Not having brought a daysack with me, I set off with my compass in my camera bag and my platypus in my hand. Talk about travelling light!

The path to the ridge was clear, until about 3/4 of the way up when it traversed a snow field. Crossing this was okay, but 50m below the ridge I met another one - except this time it was vertical! Having come this far, I wasn't going to turn around, so I found a couple of sharp roks that I could use to assist with handholds and started kicking steps into the snow. Once safely on the ridge, I decided that I need to find an alternative way down!

As I walked to the unnamed top, I could see the path clearly on both ridges. I opted for Binnean Mor and soon reached the summot. I got chatting to a local who helped me out by describing a better route for my descent back to camp.

I headed back to the unnamed top and took the other ridge to Na Gruagaichean. This ridge was rockier than the previous one, but still had an obvious path. All the while, on both ridges, I had a great view of a cloud free Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg Arete in one direction, and Bidneam Nam Bian and Glencoe in the other.


The descent back to camp meant retracing my route back to the unnamed top (again!) and then along the ridge to Sgurr Eilde Beag, with the red cairn marking the path down.

I'd packed up everything bar the tent in the morning, so it didn't take too long to strike camp and begin the long trek down. By this time both my feet were aching and it was tempting to stay another night, but I resisted the urge.

I descended to Loch Eilde Mor by a different path to the one i'd walked up. This way meant a long walk along the lochside track. The steep descent into Kinlochleven was a killer - next time I definitely park at Mamore Lodge!

(Technical Data: distance = 24km, ascent = 1850m)

Flask Edge/Brown Edge

It's not been a great day weatherwise, but I still fancied a bit of a walk. I had intended to go a little further than I managed, but I guess anything is better than nothing!

Like White Edge, this is an area that I've not done much, so I just had a short wander across the moor, via the trig point. If the day had been better, there would hae been good views across Sheffield, but today wasn't showing much!

Burbage Moor

Unlike White Edge, Burbage Moor is one of the places I visit almost on a weekly basis. But there was one part that I'd never been to - the trig point.

I'd been busy earlier on, but late afternoon I decided that I needed to escape, so headed up to Burbage and found the trig. It's not that far from the bridleway I often use, but just enough out of the way not to be obvious. Having righted that omission, I headed back to the bridleway, and did my usual round walk along Burbage Edge and then back along the road. As I headed back to my car, wearing a T-shirt, I saw this amusing sign below!



(Technical Data: distance = 7km, ascent = 100m)

White Edge

There are certain areas of the Peak District that I know like the back of my hand, yet other nearby, popular places that I rarely venture to. White Edge is among the latter. Having had an early finish from work, I headed out in that direction. Despite the good weather, there were only a handful of people around, and most of them were running.

I walked South along the edge, before deciding to head across country towards the disused Barbrook reservoir. As I dropped down off the edge, I realised that the ground wasn't as dry as i'd anticipated, and was much tougher terrain to walk across. Being the wuss that I am, I only walked about 2km before I headed back across to the comfort of the edge and heading back to the car.

(Technical Data: distance = 8.25km, ascent = 150m)