This land is made for you and me........part 1
I had planned to spend two nights in Spean Bridge, with the intention of walking for three days, which meant an early departure for Loch Laggan on Tuesday 5th July, destination Roughburn and an ascent on Beinn a Chaorainn (1052m) and Beinn Teallach (915m the smallest equal ranked munro along with Ben Vane). I arrived at roughburn at approximately 1100 and headed along the forestry track on the east side of Allt a Chaorainn. The path here is of fine quality and leads through dense forest until a small cairn is reached which marks the start of a path through a firebreak path in the trees.
This is exceptionally boggy, even in dry conditions, and great care should be taken with foot placement...it is possible (take my word for it) to sink in past your gaiter in some places. This only last for a hundred yards or so and you soon break through the trees and onto open slopes.
Cross the high stile and pick your own route up to Meall Clachaig. There are some beautiful views from here out towards Loch Treig and along Loch Laggan reservoir, you can pick out Stob Coire Sgriodain, Chno Dearg, Stob coire Eassain and Stob a Choire Mheadhoin which all lie either side of Loch Treig. Creag Meagaidh, Stob Poite Coire Ardair and Carn Liath (which i hoped would be my route on Thursday 7th) all lie to your right as you ascend the slopes. Looking back across Loch Laggan you will spy Beinn a Chlachair, Geal Charn and Creag Pitridh (my intended route for Wednesday 6th)....so long as the weather stays clear enough.
Unfortunately the weather did not stay kind and i only got fleeting glimpsess of the surrounding area, through a mix of haze, rain and mist at various times during the day. You do get cracking views across to Beinn Teallach on your left and when the weather clears enough you can pick out the path across the summit of Beinn a Chaorainn's three tops. Once on Meall Clachaig the wind picked up and was right in my face all the way up a steep stony/grassy slope to the first cairn at 1049m. At this point the rain decided to join in and it was like being hit with a thousand needles to the side of my face, such was the force of the wind.
I stopped to take a quick pic of Jelly McBaby, such was my concern that I may not be able to do so further up, then moved onto the next cairn at 1052m, the true summit of Beinn a Chaorainn. Thankfully the rain stopped long enough to let me get a couple more snaps and check out the route ahead.
The path winds around the corrie to the left, which in winter when the corrie is full of snow should be remembered, many have fallen through cornices at this point apparently...
No such concern today, though the wind was blowing more than strongly enough to blow the unsuspecting walker over the edge if not careful.
Coire na h-Uamha is indeed a long way down at this point so careful steps are required to stay on the path as it leads round to a tiny cairn at 1044m, the third top on Beinn a Chaorainn. The views from here stretch far out to Brearoy forest and beyond. Descent is further along the ridge, curving to the left on a sweeping circle and make your own way down the steep grassy slopes to the bealach at 600m far below...
Head towards a small but prominant cairn on the bealach...there is a stalkers path cutting across the bealach from the Allt a Chaorainn...keep heading to your right as you approach the steeper slopes of Tom Mor...pick your own way up these slopes until you come out on a shoulder a couple of hundred meters up.
To your right you will spot Loch Sguadaig sitting in Coire Dubh Sguadaig. Head left from here and you will soon pick up a faint path, gradually increasing to a noticable route around some rocky outcrops which leads onto the summit of Beinn Teallach.
Jelly McBaby had to hold on tight to the cairn at this point as the wind was incredible.
Keep to your left as you descend from the cairn, there are views right back to the forest down the Allt a Chaorainn, and pick your way through a mix of heather and gorse as you gently descend the slopes, trudging through some real boggy ground unfortunately, back to the stalkers path far below. Follow the rough path back to the river and cross at the shallowest point before returning to the forest, which leads you back to the access path. Follow the path back to the car at roughburn. All in this took me 5.5 hrs, a not too unreasonable time given the recommendation is 6-8 hrs on walkhighlands.com
Once back at the car there is a picnic table nearby and easy access to the river to wash the caked mud off of boots and gaiters. After a brief stop for light refreshments I set off on the 10 mile drive to Spean Bridge and my overnight accomodation at Mahaar house. After booking in and having a lovely warm shower i went for a walk through the town and headed uphill to the Commando Memorial above the town.
From there you get views onto the back of the Ben and the Aonachs nearby, so long as there is no low lying cloud and rain like i had. A gentle bimble back into town, stopping at the spar for some Jacques cider and kettle chips on route, then settled down for the night...praying that the rain wouldn't come to anything in the morning.........oh how deluded was i to be proved???
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