Beinn a' Chumhainn left and the west ridge of Ben Alder right. Beinn Eibhinn seen through the gap.
Beinn a' Chumhainn & Sgor Gaibhre
MunrosSgor Gaibhre
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CorbettsBeinn a' Chumhainn (removed 1981 due to insufficient drop - 145.4m Alan Dawson 2012)
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Distance/Ascent17km 945m
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Estimated Time6h 30min
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View Beinn a'Chumhainn in a larger map
11 October 2016
After a second night in McCook's cottage and still no supernatural phenomena, I was up at first light and set off up the hill at around 0730.
I came across this path repair equipment. I had met the owner, Owen(?) as he was returning to his boat near Benalder Cottage. I was to meet him again at the end of this walk, while eating my evening meal outside the bothy. He is certainly doing a great job of the paths. We could do with a similar job being done on the path heading out south from the bothy!
As the path bore right, I headed up left up the broad north-east ridge of Beinn a' Chumhainnn. Here, the west ridge of Ben Alder is seen rising into the mist.
At around 1000,the day's primary objective was reached. Yes, a demoted Corbett was the day's main target! Just as I climbed everything that had ever been a Munro, I have adopted the same approach to compleating the Corbetts.
I took few photographs after this point due to the hills being enveloped in clagg and the start of some light rain. However, there is the usual summit selfie and a quick check of the altimeter on my watch. The reading is 4 metres higher than the official height of 955m. This was my third ascent of this hill, not that I could remember much about it from the previous trips.
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I returned to Carn a' Bhealaich and down the shallow, bouldery gully to the south-east. The boulders were oddly covered in dry grass. The descent down to Lochan Bhealaich was perfectly straightforward. I went around the lochan clockwise to try and reach higher and drier ground, walking due east towards Bac na Craoibhe. I had seen the extent of the peat hag to the south while descending Ben Alder the previous day and I successfully avoided the worst of it as well as ending up in a spot that was ideal for photographing the day's route, just as the peaks were clearing!
As I followed the bank of the Allt Tom a' Chogaigh, I spotted a trout, 20-25cm long. It tried to hide under a rock but I could clearly see its colourful spots. I dipped my hand in and tried to tickle it. I gripped it firmly but is was able to squirm out of my grip. I guess Bear Gryll's job is safe for the moment!
I am told that you should try to flip them out rather than trying to grip them. As long as they are in the water, they have the upper hand!
I returned to the bothy at around 1500. While chatting to Owen, the path maintenance worker, Tom arrived in his sea Kayak.
I still had plenty of coal left and we enjoyed a good fire until it eventually went out at around 2200 - time to retire for the night.
I am told that you should try to flip them out rather than trying to grip them. As long as they are in the water, they have the upper hand!
I returned to the bothy at around 1500. While chatting to Owen, the path maintenance worker, Tom arrived in his sea Kayak.
I still had plenty of coal left and we enjoyed a good fire until it eventually went out at around 2200 - time to retire for the night.