TR - Beinn Dearg and Cona' Mheall

Lindsay said:

Beinn Dearg and Cona' Mheall

9 May 2007

The start of this walk was the A835 Inverness to Ullapool road at
Inverlael, where there is some off-road parking at the edge of an old
section of road. From here we walked up to and through the forest
emerging in Gleann na Sguaib. It was fairly warm lower down in the
Glen but higher up a bit cooler with some short spells of rain. The
path was in reasonable condition although some sections were eroded.

High up in the Glen we passed some idyllic wee lochans before reaching
the bealach to the north of Beinn Dearg. Here we crossed over to the
stone dyke that headed towards the summit and followed a rough and
stony path on its west side. We left the stone dyke when it changed
direction and continued the short ascent to the summit cairn. We had
some views of the surrounding mountains but low cloud was approaching
so we headed back to the dyke as a heavy hail shower made the descent
slightly tricky.

On returning to the bealach we traversed to a second and slightly
lower bealach to the west of Cona' Mheal. From this point it was a
relatively easy ascent, over some stony ground, to the summit cairn of
Cona' Mheal.

After taking in some of the surrounding views we returned to the first
bealach and commenced the long walk back down the track to Inverlael
passing some deer en-route.

Time taken - 9.5 hours.
Distance - 23 kilometres.
Height climbed - 1180 metres.

Photos taken on walk can be viewed at:http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/galleries/beinn_dearg_may07

Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

Hi Lindsay - shortly going to be doing these two hills as part of a
trek including the 5 hills in the area over 2 days camping half way
round. I see you took 9 1/2 hours for the day - just out of interest
how long was your walk in to the bealach area below the two Munros.
This would give me the time it took you to do the two hills and walk
out. My hill rate estimating says just over 3 hours to the bealach -
is that about right?

We will have the advantage of not having climbed from sea level but
we're going to have to carry our packs over Ceapraichean and, as
retired gentlemen, our fuel reserves may be a bit low on the second
day! The packs will be left at the bealach while we do the tops.

Rob

Rob

Rob G said:

Lindsay said:

Beinn Dearg and Cona' Mheall

Quoted message said:

9 May 2007

Quoted message said:

The start of this walk was the A835 Inverness to Ullapool road at
Inverlael, where there is some off-road parking at the edge of an old
section of road. From here we walked up to and through the forest
emerging in Gleann na Sguaib. It was fairly warm lower down in the
Glen but higher up a bit cooler with some short spells of rain. The
path was in reasonable condition although some sections were eroded.

Quoted message said:

High up in the Glen we passed some idyllic wee lochans before reaching
the bealach to the north of Beinn Dearg. Here we crossed over to the
stone dyke that headed towards the summit and followed a rough and
stony path on its west side. We left the stone dyke when it changed
direction and continued the short ascent to the summit cairn. We had
some views of the surrounding mountains but low cloud was approaching
so we headed back to the dyke as a heavy hail shower made the descent
slightly tricky.

Quoted message said:

On returning to the bealach we traversed to a second and slightly
lower bealach to the west of Cona' Mheal. From this point it was a
relatively easy ascent, over some stony ground, to the summit cairn of
Cona' Mheal.

Quoted message said:

After taking in some of the surrounding views we returned to the first
bealach and commenced the long walk back down the track to Inverlael
passing some deer en-route.

Quoted message said:

Time taken - 9.5 hours.
Distance - 23 kilometres.
Height climbed - 1180 metres.

Quoted message said:

Photos taken on walk can be viewed at:http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/galleries/beinn_dearg_may07

Quoted message said:

Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

Hi Lindsay - shortly going to be doing these two hills as part of a
trek including the 5 hills in the area over 2 days camping half way
round. I see you took 9 1/2 hours for the day - just out of interest
how long was your walk in to the bealach area below the two Munros.
This would give me the time it took you to do the two hills and walk
out. My hill rate estimating says just over 3 hours to the bealach -
is that about right?

We will have the advantage of not having climbed from sea level but
we're going to have to carry our packs over Ceapraichean and, as
retired gentlemen, our fuel reserves may be a bit low on the second
day! The packs will be left at the bealach while we do the tops.

Rob

Rob- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Rob

I can't recall how long it took but I think it was around the three
hours. The lady I was guiding was rather slow but that may
compensate for your pack weights.

I presume Seana Bhraigh is the fifth Munro you are climbing. I did
that a week later with the same client starting and finishing as above
and it took 9hrs. There was a chap camped beside the lochans at
Coire an Lochain Sgeirich, which seemed an ideal spot for a bit of
solitude.

I have a few walks to right up before that one but hopefully may have
the TR and photos done by the end of the week.

Enjoy your trip and hope the weather improves.

Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com

Lindsay said:

Rob G said:

On 29 May, 18:33, Lindsay <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Beinn Dearg and Cona' Mheall

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

9 May 2007

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The start of this walk was the A835 Inverness to Ullapool road at
Inverlael, where there is some off-road parking at the edge of an old
section of road. From here we walked up to and through the forest
emerging in Gleann na Sguaib. It was fairly warm lower down in the
Glen but higher up a bit cooler with some short spells of rain. The
path was in reasonable condition although some sections were eroded.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

High up in the Glen we passed some idyllic wee lochans before reaching
the bealach to the north of Beinn Dearg. Here we crossed over to the
stone dyke that headed towards the summit and followed a rough and
stony path on its west side. We left the stone dyke when it changed
direction and continued the short ascent to the summit cairn. We had
some views of the surrounding mountains but low cloud was approaching
so we headed back to the dyke as a heavy hail shower made the descent
slightly tricky.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On returning to the bealach we traversed to a second and slightly
lower bealach to the west of Cona' Mheal. From this point it was a
relatively easy ascent, over some stony ground, to the summit cairn of
Cona' Mheal.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

After taking in some of the surrounding views we returned to the first
bealach and commenced the long walk back down the track to Inverlael
passing some deer en-route.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Time taken - 9.5 hours.
Distance - 23 kilometres.
Height climbed - 1180 metres.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Photos taken on walk can be viewed at:http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/galleries/beinn_dearg_may07

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

Quoted message said:

Hi Lindsay - shortly going to be doing these two hills as part of a
trek including the 5 hills in the area over 2 days camping half way
round. I see you took 9 1/2 hours for the day - just out of interest
how long was your walk in to the bealach area below the two Munros.
This would give me the time it took you to do the two hills and walk
out. My hill rate estimating says just over 3 hours to the bealach -
is that about right?

Quoted message said:

We will have the advantage of not having climbed from sea level but
we're going to have to carry our packs over Ceapraichean and, as
retired gentlemen, our fuel reserves may be a bit low on the second
day! The packs will be left at the bealach while we do the tops.

Quoted message said:

Rob

Quoted message said:

Rob- Hide quoted text -

Quoted message said:

- Show quoted text -

Rob

I can't recall how long it took but I think it was around the three
hours. The lady I was guiding was rather slow but that may
compensate for your pack weights.

I presume Seana Bhraigh is the fifth Munro you are climbing. I did
that a week later with the same client starting and finishing as above
and it took 9hrs. There was a chap camped beside the lochans at
Coire an Lochain Sgeirich, which seemed an ideal spot for a bit of
solitude.

I have a few walks to right up before that one but hopefully may have
the TR and photos done by the end of the week.

Enjoy your trip and hope the weather improves.

Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

You presume correctly and I'm hoping for some good weather next week -
but being retired guys we can go when the weather is favorable. Your
photos are interesting as they show the ground as pretty rough - puts
me in slight worry as to what we might meet at our designated camping
spot at the lochans just east of Clach Geala, which is conveniently
half way round distance wise.

Am I right in that the path you took to Seanna Bhraigh is quite good?
I'm hoping it is as it ends according to the map at 2,500 ft up and
looks a comfortable walk with packs, which we'll dump there while
doing the top. The worst part of the trip will, I think, be getting
up on the second morning and immediatley carrying our packs up a steep
600 ft onto Ceapraichean - after that it will be a dawdle!
(possibly!!)

Rob

Rob G said:

Lindsay said:

On May 29, 10:06 pm, Rob G <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On 29 May, 18:33, Lindsay <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Beinn Dearg and Cona' Mheall

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> 9 May 2007

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> The start of this walk was the A835 Inverness to Ullapool road at
> Inverlael, where there is some off-road parking at the edge of an old
> section of road. From here we walked up to and through the forest
> emerging in Gleann na Sguaib. It was fairly warm lower down in the
> Glen but higher up a bit cooler with some short spells of rain. The
> path was in reasonable condition although some sections were eroded.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> High up in the Glen we passed some idyllic wee lochans before reaching
> the bealach to the north of Beinn Dearg. Here we crossed over to the
> stone dyke that headed towards the summit and followed a rough and
> stony path on its west side. We left the stone dyke when it changed
> direction and continued the short ascent to the summit cairn. We had
> some views of the surrounding mountains but low cloud was approaching
> so we headed back to the dyke as a heavy hail shower made the descent
> slightly tricky.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> On returning to the bealach we traversed to a second and slightly
> lower bealach to the west of Cona' Mheal. From this point it was a
> relatively easy ascent, over some stony ground, to the summit cairn of
> Cona' Mheal.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> After taking in some of the surrounding views we returned to the first
> bealach and commenced the long walk back down the track to Inverlael
> passing some deer en-route.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Time taken - 9.5 hours.
> Distance - 23 kilometres.
> Height climbed - 1180 metres.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Photos taken on walk can be viewed at:http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/galleries/beinn_dearg_may07

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi Lindsay - shortly going to be doing these two hills as part of a
trek including the 5 hills in the area over 2 days camping half way
round. I see you took 9 1/2 hours for the day - just out of interest
how long was your walk in to the bealach area below the two Munros.
This would give me the time it took you to do the two hills and walk
out. My hill rate estimating says just over 3 hours to the bealach -
is that about right?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

We will have the advantage of not having climbed from sea level but
we're going to have to carry our packs over Ceapraichean and, as
retired gentlemen, our fuel reserves may be a bit low on the second
day! The packs will be left at the bealach while we do the tops.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Rob

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Rob- Hide quoted text -

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

- Show quoted text -

Quoted message said:

Rob

Quoted message said:

I can't recall how long it took but I think it was around the three
hours. The lady I was guiding was rather slow but that may
compensate for your pack weights.

Quoted message said:

I presume Seana Bhraigh is the fifth Munro you are climbing. I did
that a week later with the same client starting and finishing as above
and it took 9hrs. There was a chap camped beside the lochans at
Coire an Lochain Sgeirich, which seemed an ideal spot for a bit of
solitude.

Quoted message said:

I have a few walks to right up before that one but hopefully may have
the TR and photos done by the end of the week.

Quoted message said:

Enjoy your trip and hope the weather improves.

Quoted message said:

Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

You presume correctly and I'm hoping for some good weather next week -
but being retired guys we can go when the weather is favorable. Your
photos are interesting as they show the ground as pretty rough - puts
me in slight worry as to what we might meet at our designated camping
spot at the lochans just east of Clach Geala, which is conveniently
half way round distance wise.

Am I right in that the path you took to Seanna Bhraigh is quite good?
I'm hoping it is as it ends according to the map at 2,500 ft up and
looks a comfortable walk with packs, which we'll dump there while
doing the top. The worst part of the trip will, I think, be getting
up on the second morning and immediatley carrying our packs up a steep
600 ft onto Ceapraichean - after that it will be a dawdle!
(possibly!!)

Rob- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Rob G said:

Lindsay said:

On May 29, 10:06 pm, Rob G <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On 29 May, 18:33, Lindsay <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Beinn Dearg and Cona' Mheall

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> 9 May 2007

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> The start of this walk was the A835 Inverness to Ullapool road at
> Inverlael, where there is some off-road parking at the edge of an old
> section of road. From here we walked up to and through the forest
> emerging in Gleann na Sguaib. It was fairly warm lower down in the
> Glen but higher up a bit cooler with some short spells of rain. The
> path was in reasonable condition although some sections were eroded.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> High up in the Glen we passed some idyllic wee lochans before reaching
> the bealach to the north of Beinn Dearg. Here we crossed over to the
> stone dyke that headed towards the summit and followed a rough and
> stony path on its west side. We left the stone dyke when it changed
> direction and continued the short ascent to the summit cairn. We had
> some views of the surrounding mountains but low cloud was approaching
> so we headed back to the dyke as a heavy hail shower made the descent
> slightly tricky.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> On returning to the bealach we traversed to a second and slightly
> lower bealach to the west of Cona' Mheal. From this point it was a
> relatively easy ascent, over some stony ground, to the summit cairn of
> Cona' Mheal.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> After taking in some of the surrounding views we returned to the first
> bealach and commenced the long walk back down the track to Inverlael
> passing some deer en-route.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Time taken - 9.5 hours.
> Distance - 23 kilometres.
> Height climbed - 1180 metres.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Photos taken on walk can be viewed at:http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/galleries/beinn_dearg_may07

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi Lindsay - shortly going to be doing these two hills as part of a
trek including the 5 hills in the area over 2 days camping half way
round. I see you took 9 1/2 hours for the day - just out of interest
how long was your walk in to the bealach area below the two Munros.
This would give me the time it took you to do the two hills and walk
out. My hill rate estimating says just over 3 hours to the bealach -
is that about right?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

We will have the advantage of not having climbed from sea level but
we're going to have to carry our packs over Ceapraichean and, as
retired gentlemen, our fuel reserves may be a bit low on the second
day! The packs will be left at the bealach while we do the tops.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Rob

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Rob- Hide quoted text -

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

- Show quoted text -

Quoted message said:

Rob

Quoted message said:

I can't recall how long it took but I think it was around the three
hours. The lady I was guiding was rather slow but that may
compensate for your pack weights.

Quoted message said:

I presume Seana Bhraigh is the fifth Munro you are climbing. I did
that a week later with the same client starting and finishing as above
and it took 9hrs. There was a chap camped beside the lochans at
Coire an Lochain Sgeirich, which seemed an ideal spot for a bit of
solitude.

Quoted message said:

I have a few walks to right up before that one but hopefully may have
the TR and photos done by the end of the week.

Quoted message said:

Enjoy your trip and hope the weather improves.

Quoted message said:

Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

You presume correctly and I'm hoping for some good weather next week -
but being retired guys we can go when the weather is favorable. Your
photos are interesting as they show the ground as pretty rough - puts
me in slight worry as to what we might meet at our designated camping
spot at the lochans just east of Clach Geala, which is conveniently
half way round distance wise.

Am I right in that the path you took to Seanna Bhraigh is quite good?
I'm hoping it is as it ends according to the map at 2,500 ft up and
looks a comfortable walk with packs, which we'll dump there while
doing the top. The worst part of the trip will, I think, be getting
up on the second morning and immediatley carrying our packs up a steep
600 ft onto Ceapraichean - after that it will be a dawdle!
(possibly!!)

Rob- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Bob

There are lots of wee hollows at your suggested camp site although the
top of a knoll might be more convenient if the midges are out (too
cold for them this week which is good). Not so rocky down there
either.

As for the path to Seana Bhraigh (coming from the west) the last
section within the forest is pretty poor due to tree felling and the
first section beyond the forest is a bit eroded and boggy. However
once beyond that the path is fine. When it disappears you need to
find the best route across the next section which includes a few rocky
outcrops which obviously need avoiding. Once above Cadha Dearg there
is a walker's path heading to the 906 point but it disappears.

Hope you get some views. I haven't looked my photos for Seana Bhraigh
yet.

Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com

Have you considered the delights of the Glen Beg (?Glenbeg) bothy?

I did Seana Bhraigh and Eididh nan Clach Geala from there (two nights)
entering over Am Faochagach, and exiting down the three lochans. I think
your proposed camp site is pretty stony.

Richard

Lindsay said:

Rob G said:

On 29 May, 22:33, Lindsay <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On May 29, 10:06 pm, Rob G <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> On 29 May, 18:33, Lindsay <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > Beinn Dearg and Cona' Mheall

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > 9 May 2007

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > The start of this walk was the A835 Inverness to Ullapool road at
> > Inverlael, where there is some off-road parking at the edge of an old
> > section of road. From here we walked up to and through the forest
> > emerging in Gleann na Sguaib. It was fairly warm lower down in the
> > Glen but higher up a bit cooler with some short spells of rain. The
> > path was in reasonable condition although some sections were eroded.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > High up in the Glen we passed some idyllic wee lochans before reaching
> > the bealach to the north of Beinn Dearg. Here we crossed over to the
> > stone dyke that headed towards the summit and followed a rough and
> > stony path on its west side. We left the stone dyke when it changed
> > direction and continued the short ascent to the summit cairn. We had
> > some views of the surrounding mountains but low cloud was approaching
> > so we headed back to the dyke as a heavy hail shower made the descent
> > slightly tricky.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > On returning to the bealach we traversed to a second and slightly
> > lower bealach to the west of Cona' Mheal. From this point it was a
> > relatively easy ascent, over some stony ground, to the summit cairn of
> > Cona' Mheal.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > After taking in some of the surrounding views we returned to the first
> > bealach and commenced the long walk back down the track to Inverlael
> > passing some deer en-route.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > Time taken - 9.5 hours.
> > Distance - 23 kilometres.
> > Height climbed - 1180 metres.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > Photos taken on walk can be viewed at:http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/galleries/beinn_dearg_may07

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Hi Lindsay - shortly going to be doing these two hills as part of a
> trek including the 5 hills in the area over 2 days camping half way
> round. I see you took 9 1/2 hours for the day - just out of interest
> how long was your walk in to the bealach area below the two Munros.
> This would give me the time it took you to do the two hills and walk
> out. My hill rate estimating says just over 3 hours to the bealach -
> is that about right?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> We will have the advantage of not having climbed from sea level but
> we're going to have to carry our packs over Ceapraichean and, as
> retired gentlemen, our fuel reserves may be a bit low on the second
> day! The packs will be left at the bealach while we do the tops.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Rob

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Rob- Hide quoted text -

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> - Show quoted text -

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Rob

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I can't recall how long it took but I think it was around the three
hours. The lady I was guiding was rather slow but that may
compensate for your pack weights.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I presume Seana Bhraigh is the fifth Munro you are climbing. I did
that a week later with the same client starting and finishing as above
and it took 9hrs. There was a chap camped beside the lochans at
Coire an Lochain Sgeirich, which seemed an ideal spot for a bit of
solitude.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have a few walks to right up before that one but hopefully may have
the TR and photos done by the end of the week.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Enjoy your trip and hope the weather improves.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

Quoted message said:

You presume correctly and I'm hoping for some good weather next week -
but being retired guys we can go when the weather is favorable. Your
photos are interesting as they show the ground as pretty rough - puts
me in slight worry as to what we might meet at our designated camping
spot at the lochans just east of Clach Geala, which is conveniently
half way round distance wise.

Quoted message said:

Am I right in that the path you took to Seanna Bhraigh is quite good?
I'm hoping it is as it ends according to the map at 2,500 ft up and
looks a comfortable walk with packs, which we'll dump there while
doing the top. The worst part of the trip will, I think, be getting
up on the second morning and immediatley carrying our packs up a steep
600 ft onto Ceapraichean - after that it will be a dawdle!
(possibly!!)

Quoted message said:

Rob- Hide quoted text -

Quoted message said:

- Show quoted text -

Bob

There are lots of wee hollows at your suggested camp site although the
top of a knoll might be more convenient if the midges are out (too
cold for them this week which is good). Not so rocky down there
either.

As for the path to Seana Bhraigh (coming from the west) the last
section within the forest is pretty poor due to tree felling and the
first section beyond the forest is a bit eroded and boggy. However
once beyond that the path is fine. When it disappears you need to
find the best route across the next section which includes a few rocky
outcrops which obviously need avoiding. Once above Cadha Dearg there
is a walker's path heading to the 906 point but it disappears.

Hope you get some views. I haven't looked my photos for Seana Bhraigh
yet.

Lindsaywww.caledoniahilltreks.com

Many thanks Lindsay - will let you know how we get on if the trip
comes off next week. One of the party is currently sailing back from
Madeira to Portugal and may not want to go off up mountains
immediately he gets back, but next week's weather looks favorable and
we're not getting much of that at the moment!

Rob