Last snow walk of the year.....Beinn Fhionnlaidh

Hill: Beinn Fhionnlaidh (Finlay’s Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 959m

Still trying to improve my hill fitness so a longer walk for a single Munro was perfect. Finlay's hill. I challenge you to pronounce this as named above then go onto Walkhighlands and listen to how it is spoken, your having a laugh I thought.

When I looked at the forecast yesterday today was looking promising but I woke up to the rain thumping down, got soaked just walking to the car, not what I expected. Also there had been recent heavy snow including last night so what was the hill going to be like?

At the car big decisions, crampons, ice axe, spikes or the lot? Finlay could not be seen from here but just across the way was Beinn Sgulaird, just slightly lower. The snow looked like being from circa 700m. Any new snow should bet wet and soft so only the spikes taken, the bag was heavy enough.

Hill track starts at hump on right

Started the walk from the Glen Crerar car park and followed the Walkhighlands route description. At the start there are enough signs to get you on the hill, the estate obviously don't want walkers wandering about where they do not want them.

Nope the point in distance is not the top

The final ridge

For all the signs it could be easy to miss the cut off onto the hill proper. From here it is a constant climb on a good gradient but on a very rough boggy path. It is a ridge walk without really feeling like one. The lochans were bubbling with mating frogs.

Frog pond and top coming into view

For about 2 hours of the climb the weather was distinctly varied. Dry at the start, light rain, heavy rain. Very loud thunder claps followed by about half an hour of hail and in cloud for the almost all the final 300m.

Another couple on way to the top

The snow level was reached and as predicted it was mostly slush between the rocky landscape but there were also significant sections of knee deep snow. A few sledging style descents later on.

Ben Nevis big lump in distance

A round trig could be spotted sooner than expected and thankfully this was the summit. The weather was now much clearer and the views were magnificent. All the Etive hills, the Glencoe giants, further on the bulk of Ben Nevis and many more, spectacular and worth the long walk in. I would go a long way for views of mountain ridges topped with snow.

Evening light over sea to Mull

The views on the descent were equally superb, nearby Sgulaird and its surrounding hills prominent. Longer distance over the sea to Mull and much more.

The downside was the wet boggy track was a nightmare, full on concentration required to avoid slipping, rather tiring and became a long slog.

Overall it was a worthy outing, excellent views and fitness boosted.

Ascent: 1012m

Distance: 15.7km

Time: 7.56

Wildlife: Red Deer; Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Common Frog.

Another grassy lump.....Cruach nam Mult

Hill: Cruach nam Mult (Heap of the wethers/sheep)

Type: Fiona

Height: 611m

I have not been out on the hills that much recently so I wanted a shortish walk to get my hill legs going again, by that I mean some short suffering on a hill not full fitness. Heading on a wee trip so looked at my to-do list and this was only a 20 minute or so detour to the start. Whilst it was on my winter list it was also on my ‘don't bother with this one list’ but sometimes needs must and the logical part has to be overruled.

This area has been massively deforested and I arrived at the parking area to find the construction gate open. I could also hear machinery somewhere on the hillside. There is enough room for 2 cars to park but of course another car was in place, right in the middle, what a prat. I parked right on his front bumper but my tail was sticking out, hoping no large timber machinery would swing by.

Not that way up unless you like very rough walking

Crossed the road and headed up another forest road, initially lined with trees as well as lots of birdsong before it opened out to a barren deforested landscape. I think most of the hills in the Arrochar area are bleak and barren but at least the higher ones have tracks, not an option on this one.

Spot the marker cairn

I followed the tip by Strathlassie on Walkhighlands and found the small cairn, albeit I almost walked by it, as you can see in the snap easy to miss.

Head off anywhere if you want but my fence far left

There is a reasonable track but it has been replanted so at some point it will disappear. It heads towards the edge of the trees before heading back to the deer fence. You can opt to clamber onto the slopes at any point but I opted to follow the track all the way back to the fence before striking upwards.

Stob an Eas

Always like a half cloud shot

Now it is just a slog up a steep grassy slope. Not much to say about this part just plenty of short stops to look around.

1st view of the top

Finally it levels off and the summit is about a kilometre away. The ground up top was boggier but has no difficulty. The clouds were coming and going magnifying any of the small lumps ahead into full Munros.

Typical for these small hills there is no summit marker, just a small flat top. There does look a higher point a short way ahead. I wandered over to it but looking back from here it was clearly lower.

Deforestation of Stob an Eas from summit

View south to Cowal & Arran hills

Reasonable views when the clouds allowed. Its fellow Fiona, Stob an Eas is just across the way. It has a worse reputation and looks it. That one is in bold type on my don’t bother list.

The Dalmally Munros and beyond had snow crusted tops but the closer Ben Lui looked like it still had its full on winter coat as seen from this angle. The road in Hells Glen looks quite far down, you can climb it from there but no thanks.

Pathless descent

Ben Lui

I took my time and enjoyed the views on the way down, the advantage of solo walking and being in no rush. Although I was taking it easy the track section was much worse on the descent. Sub surface wet tree roots were so slippy I needed my poles a couple of times to stop me going over.

Mrs Stonechat

The birds were singing away, robins have been huge numbers this year. But best today was a Willow Warbler, my first this year. I had read that they had been spotted in Scotland a couple of weeks ago.

Overall it was exactly as expected as well as a good leg stretcher. Despite its name I don't recall seeing any sheep.

Ascent: 438m

Distance: 6.3km

Time: 2.41

Wildlife: Song Thrush; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Chaffinch; Siskin; Willow Warbler; Robin; Stonechat

A special day on a Cowal Fiona.....Beinn Ruadh

Hill: Beinn Ruadh (Red mountain)

Type: Fiona

Height: 664m

I am focusing on my Fiona target before the weather turns so whilst the dry weather was around it was another trip across the water to bag another of the Cowal Fiona's.

Beinn Ruadh seemed the most straightforward of these for a day trip. It is mainly steep moorland hills with forestry issues that I had left on Cowal so options limited. There are 2 main routes, the most common appears to be the very steep route from Inverchapel. But for the sake of 10 minutes more driving I opted for the longer ramble starting from about ¾ mile up the turn off at Whistlefield, indeed you could start from the Forestry Commission sign at Whistlefield and add a couple of miles to the walk.

The forecast was for another clear day and it was just that on the mainland. However off the ferry and I was into fog. I knew the walk had about 30 minutes of forestry walking so decided to start it and assess conditions once I hit the moor proper.

Sign saying route will be closed when work starts

Take the right turn

There is enough space for one car without blocking access across from the start. Crossed the icy road where a sign stated that work would be starting soon and this route would be closed. It might not affect the main track from Whistlefield which this joins.

Another very cold day, well wrapped up from the start where a short trek to meet the main track which you continue with until a fork in the track where I went right.

As far as forestry sections go this was a more pleasant one. Soft underfoot, a good gradient, plenty of gaps so did not feel hemmed in. Plus there was a huge flock of goldcrests all the way up, occasionally seen but mainly heard their oh so soft calling, very relaxing sound.

Glad I found this even for the short section

Another Fiona Beinn Bheag

Panoramic view

Not much snow but the ground was frozen solid it was bitter, spikes would have helped at times

I reached the moor where I was now above the fog with some super inversion views. There is a broken fence which I originally stayed nearside but the going was awful. Crossed over to find an old ATV track which was a godsend.

This took me up to the west of Sligrachan Hill, easier going but all water was frozen solid so detours into the tussocks frequently required as no spikes with me.

At this point I was at circa 530m and felt that I had done all the hard work but oh no the slog is just beginning.

I knew this was a longer route but I had not done my homework and studied the terrain well enough. I thought it looked pretty flat on the map but there were as many ups and downs as I have had on a hill for yonks. They might only have been 50-80 metres but they took their toll as the terrain was pure tussocky moorland. my calves were a tad sore.

There were some ATV tracks but mostly deer tracks. Surprisingly good in places before abruptly disappearing, where did they go?

I almost gave up when another lump appeared in fron of me with steep craggy ground at the top. I initially started to climb but this was silly so inched my way around where it became a grassy gully, still steep deep grass, more moaning.

You can go either side of the big lump ahead, not the top I wanted

Then you have to descend and see this, still not the top

After getting up drop down and yet another wee lump and still not the top

Yet another down and reascent you guessed still not the top

Finally that is it in the distance

Having dragged myself up there was yet another higher lump in the distance. Maybe only 20-30 metres higher but it looked like Everest.

Full ridge across the loch, 2 Fionas, Beinn Mhor & Bheag

Snow shower over Ben Lomond I think

The views were clear across to the Arrochar tops and maybe Ben Lomond? Nearby the fog still hung around but the inversion views superb.

My brocken spectre

On my way down I encountered my 1^st ever brocken spectre, all those years without seeing one I was well chuffed. At least I got the snaps before it disappeared, sharp they are not but it meant a lot.

More meandering around crags when I spotted movement on the crags away to my right. An animal, it moved quickly and low to the ground, I assumed fox but it looked black and its movement was more cat like. It had spotted me as It stopped and looked from behind a boulder. Too far away to be sure. Never saw it again but was that another 1^st?

Corbett of Beinn Bheula on right

Even with good light there are many hillocks and crags to navigate with some veery steep fall offs, grassy they may be but you could roll a long way. I would not like to do his on a bad weather day. At times I knew I was not on my outward track, too close to Loch Eck side but eventually I found the ATV track back to the forestry ascent.

Clouds clearing and Loch Eck looking smashing 

All in all a fine ramble with splendid inversion views but I suspect my Cowal Fiona bagging might end here.

Ascent: 721m

Distance: 10.7km

Time: 4.06

Wildlife: Sparrowhawk; Coal Tit; Goldcrest huge flock in forest; Fox or Big Cat!!