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Beinn a' Chlachair Geal Charn Creag Pitridh Map This was a glorious hot day. Parked in the layby on the A86 road by the side of Loch Laggan and set off at 9.20. It took exactly an hour walking along a gently rising landrover track before I reached the dam at the southern end of lonely, scenic Lochan na h-Earba. I'd followed a couple of blokes who were off to do some rock-climbing on Binnein Shuas - they turned off there. A couple who were following me disappeared. Saw a couple of F15s.
Anyway from there I tacked across to the broad path which follows the Allt Coire Pitridh (a stream in a v-shaped gully); a mile further up you leave the path, cross some rough heather and ascend the steep heathery side of the NE ridge of Beinn a' Chlachair. There were some annoying flies around but maybe not as many as on the previous climb. Having mounted the ridge it was rocky and dry and a straightforward slog round the semi-circular top of the corrie up the broad route to the summit cairn. (12.35) At the top, and watching my approach for a good 10 mins, were 2 Merseysiders, about my age. I got one of them to take my photo. They were trying to work their way through the Munros and had set quite a gruelling programme for the days ahead. One of them was going to do his 100th Munro the next day; the other was about half way through them.
Earlier, in the hot sun, I'd thought 'what would make this perfect is just the odd white cloud to keep the sun off'. Accordingly the beneficent deity wafted up a few light clouds at this point, for which I was suitably grateful. The Merseysiders set off for the next Munro while I sat and had a sandwich and a drink. After 15 mins or so I followed them but overtook them at the bluff at the end of the N.E. spur. It falls steeply down to the bealach there but you can avoid the steepest bit by descending on the north side, then cutting across the heather via a good easy path which winds gently up to the bealach between Creag Pitridh and Geal Charn. From this bealach you turn right (east) over rocks and grass/heather getting steeper and rockier, with large snow banks, till the summit plateau of Geal Charn is reached. Crossing this plateau is a bit of a plod but it eventually brings you to a final, very singular, rise - it looks like its been added on - on top of which is the large summit cairn, made of flat, slate-like rocks. There's also a trig point here. On the plateau I saw 2 deer. Unusually I spotted them before they spotted me; then the second one looked directly at me. I froze, and was dressed all in green, so it carried on after a moment. But then I carried on too - the second one saw me and alerted her dozy pal so they both stopped and watched my approach - maybe for 3-4 mins before turning and ambling briskly off. Soon lost to sight - God knows where. I reached the summit cairn at 2.45.
I left the top at 3.00, reversing my route to the bealach, and passed the Merseysiders slogging up towards me. One was flagging now and holding the other one - the half-wayer - up. Then it was a straightforward, steep but short climb to the top of Creag Pitridh - a small cairn and grand views down to Lochan na H-Earba, Loch Laggan and, over to the north, my old pal Creag Meagaidh (see May 1997).
Easy descent back to the path by the Allt Coire Pitridh and a long, thirsty walk back to the car (5.50). | ||||
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