THIS WEEK’S WALKS
LOCHABER AND LORN RAMBLERS
The walk leader is to be contacted beforehand for meet-up and start times. Car sharing usually possible and people can try before they buy. Further information at www. lochaberandlorn-ramblers.org. uk. Lochaber and Lorn Ramblers Group can be contacted by email on info@lochaberandlorn-ramblers.org.uk.
Saturday March 17
Leum Uilleim, Corrour
An interesting day by train to one of Britain’s most remote stations and a walk up this isolated hill on the edge of Rannoch Moor. Great views under a wide open sky. Refreshments at station cafe. Start from Corrour Station NN355664. Head NW on the path on the W side of the railway for 500m. Cross the bridge over a river and head W on a track leading up the spur of An Diollaid.
The track follows the rim of Coire a’ Bhric Beag, curving SW past Tom an Eòin. Continue to gain height gradually, past a cairn and on to the summit of Beinn a’ Bhric, 876m. Turn E, descend to a col then climb to the summit of Leum Uilleim, 909m. Descend steeply NE on rough ground over Sron an Lagain Ghairbh and continue NE on the boggy lower slopes back to Corrour Station for 3.24pm departure.
Grade: M+; Distance: 10km; Height to climb: 580m; Map(s): LR41, EX385. Meet at Fort William station for 7.42am. Leader: Trevor Jones 07831 437454.
Thursday March 22 Am Bathach and Ciste Dhubh, Loch Cluanie
These hills have fine airy ridges that together make an unforgettable expedition in magnificent surroundings. The W face of Ciste Dhubh is remarkably steep.
Start from the A87 1.5Km E of the Cluanie Inn at NH087120, where ample roadside parking is available. Head E to a gate just before the bridge over the Allt a’ Chaorainn Mhoir. Follow the stalkers path beside the forested area, now clear-felled, up the SE ridge of Am Bathach. The path becomes indistinct, but stay on the ridge to the summit at 798m. Descend the NW ridge to the Bealach a’ Choinich. Climb N steeply up the grassy slope to reach a rocky outcrop,and follow the ridge up to An Cnapach, 877m. The narrow ridge continues N for another 800m, rising to the summit of Ciste Dhubh, 979m. Return by the outward route to Bealach a’ Choinich. There are two options from here:
1. Head ENE and follow the follow the Allt Coire Fhearchair down in to An Caorann Mor, cross the main river to reach the path and a good track S to the A87 just E of the bridge.
2.Alternatively, and especially if rivers are in spate, descend SE in to An Caorann Beag and follow a very boggy path on the E side of the Allt a’ Chaorainn Bhig which leads back to the start.
Grade: S; Distance: 14km; Height to climb: 1101m; Map(s): LR33, EX414. Meet at Fort William Woollen Mill, at 8.20am for start of walk at 9.30am. Leader: Ian Moir 07973 836498.
NEVIS HILLWALKING CLUB Please see full walk details at www.nevishillwalking.club. If anyone would like to go out on the walk please contact club secretary Suzanne Theobald on 01397 701783 or email enquiries@nevishillwalking.club.
Sunday March 18 Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag, Fort William
Take the path through the gorge and across the bridge to Steall ruin. Head NE up the broad ridge, which turns E as it narrows, to reach the summit Sgurr a Bhuic, 963m. Descend a little NE to a col, then climb steeply N to Stob Coire Bhealaich, 1048m. Head W along the ridge, then steeply NW up a fine ridge to Aonach Beag, 1234m.
Descend steeply NW on rocky ground to the col then climb gradually to the summit plateau of Aonach Mor, 1221m. Return S, almost to the col, to a WP (NN192722) on the 1130m contour.
Descend steeply W on an ill-defined spur to the bealach at NN186721, taking care not to stray on to even steeper ground on either side of this line. From the bealach, head S through the hanging valley of Coire Giubhsachan to pick up the path down to Steall ruin on the W side of the burn. Return through the Nevis gorge to the car park.
Distance: 16km; Height to climb: 1500m. Suggested by Toril Frantzen; coordinated by Ken Stevenson.