[Trip Index] [Munro Index] [Home] 24th May 2000   Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich Sgurr Mor Meall Gorm An Coileachan (the Little Cock) Map My 50th Munro! And does the name translate as 'Conqueror of the Heavens'?    'Magnificent Abode of the Giants' perhaps? Nope.  'The Little Cock!'   Hmmm. Must plan things better for No 100. I started out at 7.15 & got to the top of top of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich by 9.45 whereupon it started snowing briefly. I thought of giving up & turning back at that point but then I recalled my poor opinion of the returning Germans so using my compass I set off through the mist for Sgurr Mor, the highest peak of the day. There was no real difficulty and I reached the top at 10.50 - there's a large, regular-shaped cairn; sort of a trapezium. 10.30 - On the way up Sgurr Mor Some snow was driving into my face now and making it difficult to see but I descended in the right direction and as the snow cleared I saw some water ahead. Looking on the map I identified it as a tarn and set off towards it over a long, slowly descending grassy promontory (I passed a nest on the ground with about 7 eggs in it - about the size of a new 50p piece, light golden brown with dark brown speckles). It went on and on and finally came to a sudden, steep end which didn't look anything like the map at all. I could see Sgurr Mor in the right place behind me and the hills to the right were ok too... It took me ages to work out that what I'd thought was the tarn was really Loch Fannaich way further ahead - across the crease on the folded over bit of map! I had to retrace my steps for about a mile and a half to get back on the right track. I should have reached the top of Meall Gorm at 12.00 but it was 1.20 by the time I got there. Flat stony summit. Mist again at the top but some clear patches now with occasional good views. Meall Gorm not difficult. 13.57 - so this must be looking towards An Coileachan I continued along and eventually crested my 50th Munro, An Coileachan, at 2.30! Grass and rock with a well-built cairn at the top. And by happy chance it was clear now with good views AND there was a couple waiting there at the summit to take my photo - the first persons I'd seen since leaving the car!. 14.31 An Coileachan - my 50th Munro I left the top at 2.45 and got back to the car by 5.00. I saw a couple of frogs and a fat black toad. I also passed a herd of 16 deer on the way up the first hill.