Carn Liath

975m (3198ft)

Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain

1070m (3510ft)

Carn nan Gabhar

1121m (3677ft)

Carn a’Chlamain

963m (3159ft)

Beinn Dearg

1008m (3307ft)

date climbed

21/6/2015

time taken

12 hours

distance

48km (30m)

ascent

3291m (11000ft)

OS Map

Weather

Misty in the early morning but clearing by mid morning with good visibility and no rain

Starting point :  road from Blair Atholll to Monzie Farm - car parking at gate and cattle grid

The route was split into three fine Munros east of Glen Tilt and two peaks to the west of the the Glen. Access to the three linked peaks is along excellent paths and tracks. However, the descent into Glen Tilt and the route to the western pair of Munros is pathless and very tiring through heather and tussocks of grass. The combination of the ascent of the peaks on both sides of Glen Tilt makes for a long day but as Steve Fallon says on his website it is perfectly possible for a fit walker to bag all 5 Munros in a day. This walk was going to be my last been challenge walk of my Munro compleation round and I was looking forward to this challenge.

The first peak of the day was Carn Liath whose badly scarred path up its shoulder is very visible from the A9 road. The weather was fair for the day and so there were no navigational issues due to mist. The summit was reached in good time after an early start. Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain soon followed after what seemed a very short distance and then onto the third peak of the day Carn a Gabhar. The descent down to Glen Tilt from this peak was pathless for the majority of the time. The final 250m of heathery descent to the glen floor is very steep and painful so an early lunch break was taken at this point. The route over the final two peaks of the day was pathless and a tad painful as well and so it was with some relief when I reached the final summit of the day, Beinn Dearg. The descent to Blair Atholl was done at pace down the good track so as to get to my youth hostel accommodation at a reasonable time in the evening but the walk back up the car from Blair Atholl was pretty tiresome.

A great long day and fitting end as my last big Steve Fallon walk. Thanks Steve !!!