Hill: Beinn a’ Mhonicag
Type: Sub2k
Height: 567m
Having struggled with a chest infection I wanted to test myself but not against a biggie. Last year when the good lady and I visited Glen Roy to view the Parallel Roads I was attracted to the steep short Sub2k beside the viewing area. there was no time that day so it was one for the to-do list.
Glen Roy is a Natural Nature Reserve mainly due to the ‘roads’ and I was looking forward to getting a different perspective of them from above.
 |
| Looks a lot steeper in real life |
Although we were in the middle of a dry hot spell, when I arrived at the parking area it was a very strong cool breeze, I had to put on another layer to boot up lol.
Short but steep so off I went up the grassy slopes where initially there was not a track as such but a green line amongst the growing ferns.
 |
| Bracken will soon cover the track and hillside |
After the initial grassy section a narrow dirt track was formed but as I climbed I realised I had passed at least one of the ‘Parallel Roads’ without realising it. I had expected a slight levelling and maybe it was there and I had not noticed with all my huffing and puffing.
Delighted with the wee track as the surrounding ground was heather, ferns and plenty of bog cotton. Nothing too overgrown but it would have made the ascent awkward as it was steep ground.
 |
| Looking deep into Glen Roy, another 2 Fionas & 3 Corbetts to be bagged in the glen |
 |
| Excellent clear views of the roads |
As I climbed I was getting exactly what I hoped for, excellent views of the Parallel Roads, so distinctive when looking from a distance.
 |
| Top cairns left & right |
Then the gradient eased off and soon after I spotted a cairn which was just a marker for another two cairns slightly ahead.
From eyesight alone I decided that the left cairn was the highest so but a track led to the right so I went there first. More peat hags and bogs up here but nothing that couldn’t be avoided.
 |
| View from right cairn to higher one with Grey Corries & Anochs in background |
As I headed to the 2nd cairn a pair of Meadow Pipits erupted from a grassy clump in the sphagnum bog, no danger to their nest, I wasn’t going over that.
 |
| Looking east Fersit & Laggan Munros |
As expected the views from the final cairn were immense and as I was in no hurry, unusually, I sat down and took about 20 minutes to soak in the peace and tranquillity that the views in a remote spot provided. A lot warmer up top than it had been at the start.
 |
| Looking at the Fiona of Leana Mhor with Corbett Beinn Iaruinn behind |
Took a wander back and forth across the moorland top, nice views to look over to the Fiona & Corbett as shown above.
Then back down the same way, breathing was fine and it was an excellent short ramble.
Ascent: 354m
Distance: 3.1km
Time: 2.23
Wildlife: Pied Wagtail; Meadow Pipit; Hooded Crow; Woodpecker (h); Cuckoo(h)
No comments:
Post a Comment