To track or not to track.....Meall na h-Airse

Hill: Meall na h-Aisre (Hill of the defile)

Type: Corbett

Height: 862m

The clouds were higher today but even without blue skies the drive along from Laggan to Garva Bridge is rather stunning and well worth the effort by itself. Taking you to almost where the River Spey comes to life. Garva Bridge is another General Wade route.

View from Garva bridge of the River Spey

I wanted something straightforward today and this hill gave me two options. Option 1 is for the purists follow the Walkhighlands route, boggy in places but a straightforward ascent. Or option 2, for the sloths follow the pylon construction path for most of the way.

I chose the latter but beware, it is longer and it is on stone covered hard-pack so not kind to the feet. Also don’t take the wrong track or you will be climbing Geal Charn.

Garbain straight ahead, Airse turn right

Summit behind highest point but track goes way left behind the hills

This is a short blog as there is not a lot you can say about trundling up a track with limited views until you are near the top.

One of many skeins

This was The Boss

At least the many skeins of geese gave me an excuse to stop and look up. The migration is fully on, no doubt influenced by the strong southerly to help them along. Also I spotted these stags, mainly juveniles but one full antlered, the boss!! I had seen hinds already this year but this was the first stags.

When the track runs out take to the moor, very boggy for a short stretch. You might stumble across a faint ATV track but guaranteed you will lose it just as quickly. Regardless, the summit is not far away so take a line of sight and just go for it.

Zoom to Corrievairack Pass, Garbain on right. Does the pass look red?

If you dismiss the pylons the views are rather good particularly over the Creag Meagaidh range and up the Corrieyairack Pass. On the other side is the aforementioned Munro of Geal Charn. To the right of the pylons the mighty Monadhliath range. With snow covered peaks not bad at all.

Long trek home

It was very cold, time to be heating up. So an uneventful return by the same route.

A limited walk with good views up top.

Ascent: 637m

Distance: 17.6km

Time: 4.11

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Buzzard; Grey Wagtail; Red Deer (stags); Skeins of geese