GrahamsCàrn Glas-choire
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Other hills |
BothiesBlack bothy
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21 July 2024
I was carrying slight right knee and right calf injuries and not feeling very fit. The weather forecast was best if keeping east. So I wanted something reasonably easy and well east to optimise the chances of staying dry and having a clear summit. Under all these circumstances, this was a great choice and with it combining biking, a bothy and some hiking, it was a great choice and I particularly enjoyed this trip. Although the route started in farmland, I reached areas that felt remote, even if the B9007 was never really that far away.
I think most people approach the bothy from the B9007, along a wind farm track, but this idid not really appeal and it seemed that the approach from the north would give a more gradual ascent. That said, the route was harder to follow, especially when on a bike as it is harder to check the map unless you have it mounted on your bike. Some of the gates were fastened with very thick twisted wire, placed by a farmer with much stronger hands than mine, necessitating lifting my bike over several gates. The route included muddy tracks, cycling over grass and in one section, fairly large angular rocks. I am sure that the wind farm track would have offered a more uniform surface, but also lack the interest and variety of my route here.
It did seem like a long way to the bothy and, as is often the case, it did not come into view until very late. However, it did not disappoint. It is small but has a definite character with its panelled walls. It is well furnished but with no sleeping platforms. It seemed to be free of abandoned food and the resulting mice.
I stopped for lunch before heading up a good track that took me almost to the summit of Càrn Glas-choire.
After the usual summit selfie and a snack, I had to decide whether to retrace my steps or stick to my original plan of dong a loop. I went for the loop, initially heading down spongy slopes that were kind to my knees but later I had to cross some peat hag. For a while I was questioning my decision but they were soon crossed and onto better terrain and then tyre tracks followed by a proper track. This was more compressed and less stony than the upward route and was a gentle and pleasant route down the hill and back to the bothy, with a couple of knee deep burn crossings on the way.
I cooked noodles and made a fire that kept going for two to three hours. It was not cold but it is always nice to have a bit of a fire. Besides, I had taken the trouble to carry in fuel!
After an excellent nights sleep on the floor of the bothy, I set of around 7AM the next morning. There was very little ascent and I now knew the way. It is a very varied and scenic route, at one section passing through scattered pines where I saw two roe deer. Once back at the car, I folded my bike and placed it in the car before heading for Daless Farm and Càrn nan Tri-tighearnan.
I think most people approach the bothy from the B9007, along a wind farm track, but this idid not really appeal and it seemed that the approach from the north would give a more gradual ascent. That said, the route was harder to follow, especially when on a bike as it is harder to check the map unless you have it mounted on your bike. Some of the gates were fastened with very thick twisted wire, placed by a farmer with much stronger hands than mine, necessitating lifting my bike over several gates. The route included muddy tracks, cycling over grass and in one section, fairly large angular rocks. I am sure that the wind farm track would have offered a more uniform surface, but also lack the interest and variety of my route here.
It did seem like a long way to the bothy and, as is often the case, it did not come into view until very late. However, it did not disappoint. It is small but has a definite character with its panelled walls. It is well furnished but with no sleeping platforms. It seemed to be free of abandoned food and the resulting mice.
I stopped for lunch before heading up a good track that took me almost to the summit of Càrn Glas-choire.
After the usual summit selfie and a snack, I had to decide whether to retrace my steps or stick to my original plan of dong a loop. I went for the loop, initially heading down spongy slopes that were kind to my knees but later I had to cross some peat hag. For a while I was questioning my decision but they were soon crossed and onto better terrain and then tyre tracks followed by a proper track. This was more compressed and less stony than the upward route and was a gentle and pleasant route down the hill and back to the bothy, with a couple of knee deep burn crossings on the way.
I cooked noodles and made a fire that kept going for two to three hours. It was not cold but it is always nice to have a bit of a fire. Besides, I had taken the trouble to carry in fuel!
After an excellent nights sleep on the floor of the bothy, I set of around 7AM the next morning. There was very little ascent and I now knew the way. It is a very varied and scenic route, at one section passing through scattered pines where I saw two roe deer. Once back at the car, I folded my bike and placed it in the car before heading for Daless Farm and Càrn nan Tri-tighearnan.