Beinn Bhan
MunrosNone
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CorbettsBeinn Bhan
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GrahamsNone
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BothiesNone
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Distance/Ascent9km 902m
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Estimated time4h 45min
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NotesI should explore Applecross while in the area. I have been to the area but not spent much time there.
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Start
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18 July 2022
The forecast in England was for record temperatures of 40°C. The temperatures forecast for the northwest Highlands was much less but still the forecast was for dry weather, clear summits and no rain. So I headed off to Applecross for a Corbett - overnight bothy - Corbett trip. Applecross is near enough for a two-day (or just about a none day) trip. There were a few spots of rain but never enough to even consider donning a waterproof jacket and the forecast was so good that I did not even take overtrousers with me. It did rain good and proper during the drive home, but I did not care as I had accomplished all that I had set out to do and had a great time.
There was plenty of space to park before the bridge at NG 835 422. There were no other cars parked there and I did not see anyone on the hill all day. It seems like I had the whole place to myself! Crossing the bridge, a good track/path heads north above the River Kishorn. On reaching a good bridge, I headed left, but probably should have continued further to follow the next burn up.
Left to right: Beinn Damh (Corbett), Maol Chean Dearg (Munro), An Ruadh-stac (Corbett) and Sgurr a'Gharaidh (Graham).
It was easy to cross the burn and follow a faint (I thought it was just a deer path at first) connecting path across to the other path.
Reaching the point seen below on the first "top" was relatively straightforward. The main difficulties lay ahead.
Coire na Poite: I fancy a separate trip to A' Poite, which looks straightforward enough, if ascending via the slope behind the lochans, before dropping off into the far coire and ascending up onto the ridge to camp by the lochan on the northern ridge of Beinn Bhan.
Descending the first top was fun but easy down these rocks. Looking down the next bit looked steep but there was a path off to the right and looking back at the top later (see three photographs down), I could have descended almost any way.
Looking back at the first top - From the bottom of the rocks, there was a path going down left (as we see it here) and back right down the grassy terrace seen below the lower band of crags.
The final ascent was much more challenging and after starting up steep rock, I thought the better of it and downclimbed before heading left and up an easier way but perhaps not so enjoyable, but I did not fancy the direct approach without a rope and someone holding the other end.
Below: Looking back along the ridge from the top of the steep section, before the route gives way to less steep scrambling. I confess to feeling a little relieved at this point!
Below: Looking back along the ridge from the top of the steep section, before the route gives way to less steep scrambling. I confess to feeling a little relieved at this point!
The corries of Beinn Bhan are among the finest in Scotland. Irvine Butterfield's "The call of the Corbett's" has a particularly fine photograph of the corries of Bein Bhan reflecting in one of the lochans of Meal Gorm. It is one to go and try to replicate one day.
This was shot at f/13 to try to get the hills in the background reasonably in focus. I used the trig point as a tripod and used a 12 second delay. It must have been pretty still as usually the cowl on my Buff cap is blowing about at a funny angle.
A stitched panorama pf Coire na Poite. I think I can spot a good place to pitch a tent on the "peninsula" protruding into the nearest of the two lochans and the water looks nice and clean for a quick dip.
Sometimes the skies are as interesting as the hills and I invert the rule of thirds.
I feel that I should have followed the ridge down to the road rather than dropping off the side. The ligaments of my knees feel the strain more than they used to and I no longer trust my ankles. The descent was very slow - I used to run down terrain like this! However, I made it down without any injuries.
On reaching the car, I changed my footwear and headed up Bealach na Bà but had to stop on the way to take a couple of photographs of the other Chioch - of Sgùrr a' Chaorachain.
On reaching the car, I changed my footwear and headed up Bealach na Bà but had to stop on the way to take a couple of photographs of the other Chioch - of Sgùrr a' Chaorachain.
