Lochranza to Brodick "haute route"

As far as walks go, this has to be up there as one of our favourites. It may be a long one, at least 21km whatever version you do, but it's a good one. The joy of this route is you have multiple options for making your way back to Brodick.

Roll call at the 7am ferry saw Don, Eleanor, Gail, Gary, Lorraine, Steve, Marie and Caroline lining up in the breakfast queue to carb load in preparation for the days exertions. Gillian was waiting for us at the bus. The weatherpeeps ensured us we would have a dry day though it was a wee bit on the cool side considering it's June.

The bus dropped us at the Lochranza Distillery and we made good progress up Gleann Easan due to the relatively good conditions underfoot from the recent dry spell. Once we were over the river it was the first climb of the day up onto Sail an Im.

Ascending Sail an Im looking back down Gleann Easan

We were soon onto the ridge and drinking in the views before us. Looking north, we could see the Paps of Jura but it was our route ahead which was getting our attention.

Heading towards Caisteal Abhail

It wasnae the warmest so we kept moving and the tors on the Castles were soon in sight.

The Holy Isle in between Goatfell & Cir Mhor from Caisteal Abhail

Cisteal Abhail ✅next stop Cir Mhor via the fresh water spring to top up the water bottles. Don decided to sit back and enjoy the view.

We were making good time and soon on top of Cir Mhor for more summit shots.

Don no longer a Cir Mhor virgin

After a well deserved lunch stop, it was down onto the A'Chir bypass path, where we met the only other people on our route that day - 2 fell runners and a very nice Swiss man doing a wee circuit of Glen Rosa.

Caisteal Abhail, Cir Mhor and the Goatfell ridge behind

This was where the sun came out proper and we got a wee bit of heat though the wind still had a bite to it. Discussions were had at the Bealach an Fhir-bhogha - to Tarsuinn & Nuis or Chlibhain???? Distance wise there isn't much in it but doing Tarsuinn & Nuis adds around another 300m of ascent. We were all enjoying the day but decided Beinn a Chlibhain would be a more civilised end to the day while discussing when to come back and do the 3 Beinns route to get the other hills.

It was a very pleasant decent in the now glorious sunshine and we were soon back down in Glen Rosa for the final leg out to Brodick and a celebratory refuelling stop at the Ormidale Hotel. Boy those beef dripping chips were good!!

Comments

Salomon Mission GTX Boot

I've had these on a few times now and so far they are just what I've been after to get me through the winter for most of my days out. Salomon describe them as being perfect for "light hiking" - take that whatever way you want ;-) They come in at 1210g for the pair and feel fairly easy on the feet. They've handled saturated grassy stuff without me applying the famous arse plant (so far!!). They even seemed to be OK on rocky stuff too. Where I have been really impressed with them is how they handled the snow on Na Gruagaichan. It was hard enough that we were kicking steps. This was easy enough for Steve in his Scarpa SL's and Iain in his La Sportiva Nepals. Initially I followed their steps then decided to give it a go myself. I occasionally had to kick a couple of times on some of the really hard stuff, probably more down to my poor technique than the boot, but they managed well on the cover we had for the ascent. As my balance is rubbish I decided to apply

Creag Meagaidh MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Creag Meagaidh has been on the to do list for so long. The past couple of years have seen us have to abort at least three attempts at the last minute because conditions weren't for us. So were we going to get it done this time................. YES The weather bods said mostly dry with a risk of potential showers later in the day. It was warm so even if it did rain it would be warm. Off we set having smothered ourselves in factor 50 and Smidge. Warm they said.......... baking I said!!!! We had decided our ascent would be via Coire Ardair and The Window to ease us into the walk on a good path. It felt more like a slow roasting. It is a gorgeous walk out to Coire Ardair on a very good path but as soon as we were out of the forest the heat and humidity kicked in. When we reached Lochan Coire Ardair there was only one thing on my mind, getting my boots off and getting in. It was at this point I began having major doubts as to whether we would get this done. Bre

Ben Lomond

Storm Hannah tried to wreck the planned Craggy walk to Ben Lomond. Thankfully, she had moved off quickish to allow the walk to be rescheduled to Sunday. For once wind was not going to be an issue, all the makings of a good hill day. So off we trotted. While there were only a few folk heading in the same direction as us, there seemed to be a constant stream coming down Ptarmigan. I suspect this is a result of the route description in Walk Highlands. My body was having issues at moving at anything more than snail pace, earning me the title of Pace Setter of the Day for keeping us at a steady 1.9km/hr. I have to thank the gang for being super patient on what was a longer than anticipated ascent of Ptarmigan. We had some Ptarmigan Ridge virgins in our midst, some requiring reassurance from Steve "trust me" Morley. Plus Quote of the Day 1 from Carol "so where's this ridge we're doing?" ( said at approx 700m on said ridge ) We eventually ma

Blethering Blonde

Search This Blog