Date: Saturday 14th May 2016
Company: Myself, Becky and Cuillin
Distance: 10.5km, Ascent: 745m
Time: 4Hrs 30Mins
With good weather forecast for this weekend, I searched for some last-minute accommodation across Scotland and ended up based in Aberfeldy.
This morning, I drove to the high-point of the Ben Lawers road for an ascent of Meall Corranaich and Meall a' Choire Leith. I had only ascended these Munros once previously way back in May 1997, almost exactly nineteen years ago. They were therefore long overdue a re-ascent. These would be new Munros for Becky and Cuillin.
I parked near the large cairn where there is room for several cars. I then walked a short distance back along the road towards Loch Tay before following the path leading up the hill.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
From the outset, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. It was however only 4C. Becky set off ahead while I took numerous photos.
Becky on the path leading towards Meall Corranaich:
Seeing Meall nan Tarmachan reminded me that I still have to ascend a couple of its Munro Tops. I last ascended Meall nan Tarmachan in 2007 and previous to that in 1997, also nineteen years ago.
Becky with Lochan na Lairige and Meall nan Tarmachan in the background:
Having read a few internet-based reports of Meall Corranaich and Meall a' Choire Leith before setting off, most advised of wetness and bog. Today, the ground was mostly dry with sections of boggy ground easily avoided.
Looking back towards Lochan na Lairige and Meall nan Tarmachan:
Becky en-route to Meall Corranaich:
On stopping for a quick drink, we were overtaken by a group of five walkers. We subsequently met them again several times throughout the walk including at the summits of both Munros.
A wee photo stop before starting the steeper section:
Looking back towards the starting point:
During the ascent of the final ridge leading to the summit, the wind was a bit blustery and the windchill definitely below zero. We stopped briefly for Becky to put on her hat and gloves.
Onto the ridge leading to the summit of Meall Corranaich:
Looking back towards Loch Tay and Meall nan Tarmachan with Ben More and Stob Binnein in the distance:
Great views:
We were all happy to reach the summit of Meall Corranaich; Becky's 5th Munro, Cuillin's 18th Munro and my 162nd Munro (2nd Round). As Becky really enjoyed the walk today, and found it relatively easy, we will be doing more Munros together henceforth instead of sub2000ft Marilyns.
Becky and Cuillin at the summit of Meall Corranaich:
While at the summit of Meall Corranaich, I took some photos of the group of five walkers on their behalf. This was the first Munro for one of the group; a bit of a practice run for an ascent of Ben Nevis later in the year.
Looking across to Ben Lawers from Meall Corranaich:
At the summit of Meall Corranaich:
Great views from the summit of Meall Corranaich:
From Meall Corranaich, we set off along the ridge towards Meall a' Choire Leith. As Becky's four previous Munros were all single ones, this was Becky's first experience of walking a ridge between hills. I think she enjoyed it.
En-route to Meall a' Choire Leith:
As we progressed towards Meall a' Choire Leith, we stopped briefly to take a photo of Becky and Cuillin atop a wee bank of snow. Cuillin took the opportunity to eat some of the snow.
On a wee snow bank with Ben Lawers in the background:
Looking towards Meall a' Choire Leith:
It was nice to look across to Beinn Ghlas, Ben Lawers and An Stuc. I last did these in 2015 with Cuillin.
Looking towards An Stuc:
We decided to ascend Meall a' Choire Leith via its easy grassy slopes instead of walking the path which runs directly above a small crag.
Ascending Meall a' Choire Leith:
Looking back to Meall Corranaich:
Looking back to Meall Corranaich:
Final ascent of Meall a' Choire Leith:
As I approached Meall a' Choire Leith, I noticed that the cairn was lower than some nearby ground. We therefore visited the nearby ground first before continuing on to the cairn. According to the Database of British Hills, the summit is 20m from the cairn.
At the cairn 20m from the summit of Meall a' Choire Leith:
Becky was really pleased to have made it to the top of her second Munro of the day and was even more pleased when she found out it was also a Marilyn (drop of 150.5m, so only just)!
Chuffed to have ascended her second Munro of the day:
While standing at the summit, Becky asked if she could take a photo of myself and Cuillin. So I grabbed Cuillin for a quick cuddle.
Photo of Dad and Cuillin by Becky:
From the summit, we made our way down trackless grassy slopes but took a more gradual line down than those ahead of us.
Looking back to Meall a' Choire Leith during descent:
We then followed a fairly intermittent track leading back out towards the starting point.
Walking back out to the car:
Great that Becky enjoyed this walk and didn't find it too hard. I foresee many Munro-bagging weekends away together.