Hill: Meall a’ Chrathaich (Hill of shaking)
Type: Fiona
Height: 679m
Today it was another
one I had identified as a bike/hike, well really a lot of bike and a
little bit of hike. Being a hypocrite I was taking advantage of a large wind
turbine development.
It was
unbelievably/unseasonably warm for this time of year so I was a bit
concerned about the uphill cycling even on an ebike you still got to
work your legs hard.
 |
| Takes longer to get ready for bike/hike |
 |
| Unusual windfarm gates |
My ongoing concern with bike
hikes is whether I can even start the cycle as there must be a decent sized opening to get the bike through, there is no way I can lift the weight of an ebike over even
a relatively small obstacle or through a kissing gate. Unusually today it was a double wooden gate that was the
obstacle with no side opening. Thankfully I could open the main gate but what if it was
locked on way back? Time for risk and reward. |
| Track climbs steeply straight away |
It was straight into
the climbing and the early stages were very steep and it was so humid the sweat
was pouring already.
About a third of the
way up the track I spotted a big herd of red deer hinds crossing the track and
then another two groups followed easily 40+ hinds. The rut is not far
away so I suppose the hinds are grouping together.
 |
| Turbines finally coming into view |
More continuous uphill slog before I
reached the turbines themselves and by then my legs were tired and I was blowing. |
| Kintail mountains in distance |
 |
| Carn Mhic Toisich on right |
Now easier cycling as I was up and down
contouring when I spotted a nice loch, looks like some fishing huts.
Also behind the water was Saturdays target Carn Mhic an Toisich, no
bike for that one it will be all Shank’s Pony. |
| Loch Liath |
 |
| Finally I see my hill |
I followed the track
until the last turbine but if I hadn't mapped it out earlier there were many opportunities to take wrong turns. It had been a tough cycle,
not just the heat but the track was all loose stone which even with
my weight on the saddle traction was inconsistent with the wheels
going everywhere. |
| Loch a' Chrathaich |
 |
| Typical rough stuff |
 |
| Nice standing stone pity about the turbines |
The hill summit was
ahead and I decided to go left to the ridge then followed that up
left to the summit. A moor section of peat hags and lots of dying
heather, more brown than purple, pathless until the trig. |
| Looking over to Carn Mhic Toisich |
 |
| View north towards Affric |
Looking around there
is a great depth of barren/remote land out there, not a place to go
solo walkabout in bad weather. The summit is the high point between
the moors of Glen Moriston and Glen Affric, wild country.There was a
surprisingly strong wind and a few threatening clouds so I headed
back down. It didn't affect me but later I was listening to impressive
thunder claps as the rain hosed down. |
| I can see my bike attached to the turbines steps |
The ascent took
about 2.15 and the descent about 45m. Fast, regularly over 30 mph as
the eyes boggled and the bike bounced on the uneven surface. An
adrenalin fuelled fun descent testing speed and braking skills.
I had spotted a
couple of workies vans as I sped past so happy that I would find the gates still unlocked.
A good
bike/hike/outing but at the finish I was drained, more water please.
Ascent: 665m
Distance: 24.17
Time: 3.01
Wildlife: Red deer
hinds 40+, Buzzard. Meadow Pipit. Red Grouse, Pheasant 30+
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