TR: Beinn Mhor (G)

Although the forecast was great, I was worried about the roads for a long
drive, so we headed for Beinn Mhor, a Graham on the Cowal Penn.
Parked at the public car park at the end of the public road as indicated
in the SMC guide. The guide recommends going up the glen and then up a
track. Probably this is more sensible, but with the great weather we
decided to get straight onto the ridge. There had been a lot of tree
felling, so what was once an impassible hill side (trees) was now an
impassible hill side (bits of trees). So we went up the edge of the
forest. From the car park, go 100yds up the glen and take a track on the
right a short distance. The up through the trees on the left side of the
stream. Surprisingly, there were lots of wee paths in the trees from the
deer and no low branches, so the ascent to open ground went fine and fast.
Two other blokes picked a line up the middle of the tree felling debris.
we never saw then again. Once on the ridge, the views were great and we
slogged through the snow towards the summit. The snow wasn't deep, but hid
the boggy bits. I kept stepping into little ponds. My boots got very heavy
from being crusted with ice! A bit like walking on a glacier not knowing
when you will step in a crevasse.
Summit views were incredible! Arran, Jura, Mull, Cruachan, Lui, Ime, Ben
More, Campsie Fells, some other border hills. We were pretty sure we could
see the Hebrides as well. It only took a split second to remember why I
love winter so much.
Came down the ridge to join the track. Nicely sign posted by the forestry
Commission with Walkers Welcome sign posts! This would be a good quick way
up. Chatted with the guy in the cottage at the base while he trimmed his
xmas tree. He really wanted to know if the snow was deep enough for snow
boarding yet. (no).
According to the GPS, we were 1.3 miles from the car, 21 miles from
Glasgow airport, but 70 miles by road to Glasgow airport.
nice day on the hill in great weather and another 2,000ft prominence peak.
Rob