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2013
March The cold late winter with deep soft snow (diificult to walk in) took found me in Kinlochleven for Beinn Bhreac and Beinn Molurgainn (Connel), Beinn Trilleachan, Tom Meadhoin, Beinn Mheadhoin (Kingairloch), Meall tairbh and Ben Inverveigh (Inveroran), beinn Donachain (Glen Orchy), Beinn na Gucaig (Inchree) ending with Sgurr na h-Eanchainne and Druim na Sgriodain (Corran, Ardgour). These lower hills rarely see such late snow so are well walking in these unusual conditions.
March Moved on to Killi, again taking advantage of walking the snow clad lower hills of Creag Garbh (Loch tay), Beinn na Sroine (Glen Lochy, Dalmally), Beinn Donachain (worth repeating on a clearer day), Meall Buidhe (Glen Ogle) and Fiarach (Tyndrum).
April Off to Killarney, where almost all the snow had disappeared but farmers were counting the cost of the late winter connditions, for Coomcallee from various directions then Meenteog, Coomnacarrea, Teermoyle Mountain, Mullaghnarakill, Been Hill and Beenmore which is a lovely circuit overlooking the coast. Next day went to the Dingle Peninsula for the Stradbally, Beenoskee and An Com Ban ridge overlooking the north coast. The day after, the range to the east of Cahercomree and Bautregaun which were equally impressive. The Bridia Valley is not very welcoming to walkers with some hostile landowners but Stumpa Duloigh and Broaghnabinnia is well worth a day spent on it. There is a pass called the Priest's Leap from where one can make a relatively easy ascent of Knockboy but it is worth going further to make a round which includes Caoinkeen, Gullaba Hill and Barrerneen.
June A day walk in the Peak District from Chinley taking in Kinder Low and Chinley Churn. A week later, another walk from the Grouse Inn over Mill Hill and along the western edge of Kinder. The dges of Kinder are well worth walking but they can be boggy!
July The heatwave isupon us!A few days camping at Hayfield in the Peak district. Kinder Low End is one of the best ways on to Kinder and leads to Kinder Low from where one can head for the highest point, a mere 3 metres higher and not obvious until you almost fall over the cairn. From here it is a lovely continuation through the Woolpacks to the Winnie the Pooh rock before returning over Brown Knoll and South Head. The next day ascneded the same way but went north to Kinder Downfall, the NW trig point before descending the now badly eroded William Clough. Joined by a friend for day 3 so did part of day 1 again. One of the days, the temperature was 44C on returning to the tent!
July The heatwave is continuing. In Kinlochleven for some strenuous walking with the glens being scorchingly hot. Day 1 took me up Beinn Mhic-mhonaidh in Glen Orchy. Day 2, a full traverse of the very steep Stob Dubh and Beinn Ceitlein in Glen Etive. Day 3, a long approach, by both bike and on foot, to Beinn nan Lus in Glen Kinglass. It is a tough cycle in along the side of Loch Etive. Even though the track is good, there is much up and down. Day 4, another long cycle and walk in from Victoria Bridge to upper Glen Kinglass for the east ridge of Beinn nan Aighenan. Dehydration a serious problem in these conditions.
July Moved on to Aviemore with the heatwave largely over. Geal Charn, in the southern Monadhliath is not the most exciting mountain so with a bike at Garva Bridge, a full traverse could be started up Glen Markie. Well worth doing this way as there is no doubling back. Day 2 took me down to Dalnaspidal and a cycle along Loch Garry to ascend Beinn Mholach then Creag a' Mhadaidh. Day 3 saw showers so the old standby of Geal Charn from Dorback was agin climbed. Day 4 just as bad so up Geal Charn Mor! Day 5 was a little better so a shortish day on Meall na h-Aisre from Garva Bridge.
July Moved on to Fort William with the bad weather following me so had a “brain dead” day doing Ben Nevis via the tourist path! Day 2 was better and I wanted some decent pictures of Carn a' Chuillin near Fort Augustus and the weather held for me! Day 3 was showery so off to Fassfern (Mallaig road) for Meall Onfhaidh and Aodann Chlereig. Very pleasant hills but it is easy to stray into dense ground cover coming off Aodann Chlereig. Day 4 was a mixed forecast so headed to Fersit for Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg plus their tops. Weather was down on Stob Coire Sgriodain but cleared well later. Another to repeat for the photos! Day 5 was a good forecast so headed for Torgulbin and cycled in as far as possible on good tracks then ascended Beinn Eibhinn (plus tops) and Aonach Beag from the north. These are normally ascneded from the Corrour station direction but this is a much better approach and one is not governed by the train timetable. It can all be done in about 8 hours although once the bike is left, there are no paths except on the crests. Day 6 was similar so again headed for Torgulbin but this time took the track for Corrour, leaving it above Strathossian for the ascent of Beinn na Laps long, and pathless, east ridge.
August Went back to Ireland, camping at Ballinacourty House in the Glen of Aherlow, near Tipperary. Day 1 took me up the forestry peak of Slievekimalta which wasn't very inspiring! Day 2 took me over Cush, alovely peak, then on to Galtybeg and Galtymore with showers later on. Day was horrendously wet and windy so just walked up to Lake Muskry which I could not see across. Day 4 was better so headed to the other side of the Galtee where the start of the walk was difficult to locate but a friendly farmer helped out and a good, but strenuous, day was had on Temple Hill, Knockaterriff, Lyracappul, Carrignabinnia and Monabrack. Day 5 was a mixed forecast so went back to Lake Muskry and walked up the steep slopes to O'Loughlan's Castle, Greenhane, Farbrega then took a fair detour out to Laghtshanquilla which was quite boggy and not really worth it. Day 6 took me through the Vee Gap for a strenuos round over Sugarloaf Hill, Knockshane, Knockmealdown then a long detour out to Knocknagarv and Knocknaffin which also meant reascending Knockmealdown! It is well worth having two cars for this walk! Day 7 took me through the Vee Gap again but to the hills on the other side of the road, Knocknalougha then out to Knockshanahallion retracing back over Knocknalougha but not as bad as the day before!
August Moved on to Moat Farm at Donard, a lovely site. Day 1 was reasonable weather and saw me ascending Ludnaquilla from the Fraughan Rock Glen – probably the best approach. Day 2 was a long horseshoe on the other saw taking in Lobawn, Table Mountain ( abog like Kinder but much smaller), Camenabolugue, Ludnaquilla then down via Slievemaan and Camara Hill with a road walk back to the car. Day 3 took me to the picturesque Glendalough to ascend Mullacor, Lugduff, Conavalla, Tomaneena and Camaderry which are essentially subsidiary tops of Ludnaquilla. Lots of bog on this round! Day 4 was a reapaet of day1 but with amore direct approach taking in some simple scrambles. Day 6 was made up of two walks: Keadeen Mountain then Croaghanmoira which are easy and good viewpoints on a clear day ….!
September In Killinwhere the weather turned out to be very mixed and stormy. Day 1 was in Glen Artney on the long curving Beinn Dearg ridge then the heathery Mor Bheinn and Ben Halton where the weather was relatively kind as it was the next day on Beinn Each in Glen Ample. However, on Da3 3, all hell broke loose with some fierce storm force winds on Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh, An Stuc, and Ben Lawers especially on the east ridge. Day 4 was better so up Glen Lochay for Meall Glas, Sgiath Chuill and their tops as was Day 5 for Meall a' Choire Leith, Meall Corranaich, Ben Glass Nad Ben Lawers.
September Moved on to Kinlochleven where the weather stayed bad so only Garbh was seen in clear weather. A good forecast meant Ben Cruachan was worth a look but the mist was well down and little was seen so moved on to Aviemore where a more adventurous route up Geal Charn was found which involved a steep ascent up Beinn Sgiath but is certainly the best ascent route. Day 2 was down at Blair Atholl on Carn a' Chlamain which was almost out of the mist! Day 3 promised better so headed for Creag Meagaidh and all its tops (4 plus summit). The wind gradually strengthened during the day so that it was almost impossible to stan don the summit an dthe descent was a little harrowing to say the least!
October Moved on to Fort William. Guess what the weather was like! Had days on Sgurr Choinnich (Loch Arkaig), Sgurr Choinnich and Meall Blair – a good moorland walk in clear weather which it was – just! A day was spent on Stob Ban at the end of the Grey Corries but little was seen. The final day was on Druim Fada above Loch Linnhe where progress could not be made because of the strength of the wind!! On the day home beckoned, the weather turned brilliant so moved to Fort William and had four superb days in the Ben Crauchan area. Day 1 on Beinn a' Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich. Day 2 was a full traverse of Stob Daimh and Ben Cruachan. Day 3 was up Beinn a' Bhuiridh from the Dalmally direction then across to Stob Diamh and down the Sron an Isean ridge. Day 4 was up Glen Stra to reach the remote Meall Garbh via a lot of contouring but worth it for the views. Days don't come much better than these 4.
November In Hartsop (above Ullswater in the Lake District). Ullswater is a very picturesque part of the Lake District especially in the Autumn. It was like visiting a long lost friend. Day 1 was up Hartsop Dodd, Caudale Moor, Stony Cove Pike, Thornthwaite Crag then down Gray Crag. It was cold with snow coming in on a strong wind but when the weather lifted, the views were sensational. Day 2 picked up where Day 1 left off with the ascent being up Gray Crag then on to Thornthwaite Crag, High Street, Kidsty Pike, High Raise, Rampsgill Head returning via the Knott. Wall to wall winter sunshine all day. Scafell Pike and even Ingleborough were clearly visible! The weather was bad on Day 3 so two short ascents of Great Mell Fell then Little Mell Fell but not much of a view due to the weather. Day 4 picked up where Day 2 left off with an ascent from Hayeswater to Rest Dood, a detour out to The Nab returning over Brock Crags and the Angletarn Pikes then down to Boredale Hause with the wind really getting up. The last day was a drive around Ullswater into the lovely Martindale then straight up the nose of The Nab, on to Rest Dodd then round above Satura Crag, Buck Crag and the Angletarn Pikes before returning down Beda Fell. Very windy but clear.
November/December With some free time, it had to be a return to Hartsop. Day 1 was up Birkhouse Moor, along Striding Edge, up Helvellyn, down Swirral Edge then up Catsye Cam before returning via Birkhouse Moor. Low cloud meant no views high up and poor photos but still a good round. Day 2 was a long drive to the head of Haweswater then a lovely walk up the Rough Crag ridge, on to Long Stile then High Street, Rampsgill Head, High Raise before returning over Kidsty Pike. Unfortunbately low cloud again although it did clear mid-afternoon. Another one to repeat! Day 3 was forecasting severe gales so walked along the edge of Ullswater but onlt as far as opposite Glenridding before ascending a steep path on to the crest of Place Fell to reach its summit then descending down to Boredale Hause. The forecast was right! Day 4 looked more promising so repeated Day 1 but it was exactly the same! Day 5 also looked promising so aimed to repeat Days 1 and 4 in reverse so ascended Greenside Valley almost to Red Tarn then up Catstye Cam, up Swirral Edge on to Helvellyn. There seemed little point in going on to Striding Edge so turned north to Lower Man, Whiteside and Raise, descending via Sticks Pass. Day 6 was better, clear but cold and breezy, so headed towards Martindale but parked at Sandwick and walked up Sleet Fell continuing along the crest to High Dodd then Place Fell before descending towards Boredale Hause and returning over Beda Fell and Winter Crag. Superb day. Day 7 looked cold and breezy so but dry and clear. Walked around the back of brothers Water then up the steep north ridge of Middle Dodd on to Red Screes then down and across Scandale Pass, up to Dove Crag and Hart Crag before returning down the long ridge of Hartsop Above How. Lovely walk. Day 8 threatened snow showers with clear intervals so headed back to Great Mell Fell for good views of Blencathra. After took in Little Mell Fell with good views across Ullswater before finishing on Hallin Fell with good views especially into Martindale and Boredale. Day 8 had to be a short day as it was also going home day so walked to caudale Bridge, up Caudale Moor, along to Stony Cove Pike then down Hartsop Dodd. Can't wait to get back. The Lake District has a charm all of its own especially out of season.
December Booked into Glossop (Peak District) for a few nights. Had a lovely cold, clear day on Cock Hill, Bleaklow Head, Bleaklow Stones and Higher Shelf Stones. The next day was wet and misty so went up Kinder Low End to Kinder Low then back over South Head and Mount Famine but not much in the way of views. On Kinder Low End met someone who though he was descending Jacob' s Ladder!!! He was walking well off course so I took him to the top of Jacob's Ladder.
December Final walk of the year. Led a small group from Castleton up Losehill then over Back tor and Mam Tor.