Sgurr Eilde Mor
26 June 2007
It was a pleasant morning when we drove to Mamore Lodge north of
Kinlochmore where for a small fee parking was permitted within the
Hotel car park.
We set off from the car park and followed the vehicle track west
towards Loch Eilde Mor. Around a kilometre before reaching this Loch
we took the stalker's path up to Coire an Lochain. There was a cool
wind blowing at times but we were enjoying some good views especially
back along Loch Leven .
At Loch Coire an Lochain we walked along the south side of this loch
and commenced the ascent of the south ridge of Sgurr Eilde Mor.
There were traces of a path but the climb was relatively easy with a
few rocks to traverse. We came across a female ptarmigan and around
eight chicks which were trying to waddle across the rocks and away
from us. We took a slight diversion to avoid them and continued to
the summit of Sgurr Eilde Mor where we had lunch. In fact we
remained at the summit, which was Shona's 200th Munro, for over an
hour, enjoying the sun and taking in the views, which included Ben
Nevis, Aonach Beag, the Grey Corries, the Easains, the Glencoe
Mountains, south to the Bridge of Orchy hills and of course the usual
sight of Schiehallion. We were briefly joined by two other walkers
who had come up the west ride.
After the long rest break we descended the west ridge, which had a bit
of scree to content with, and round the north and west sides of Loch
Coire an Lochain. We rejoined the path used in the upward route and
followed it back to Mamore Lodge.
Time taken 6.5 hours.
Distance - 14.5 kilometres.
Height climbed - 815 metres.
Photos taken on walk can be viewed at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery07/sgurr_eilde_mor_june07/index.htm
Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com