A Monro

So to day three and a forecast of more buffering.

A case of hedging bets. 

Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.  

A long ‘hike in’ to bigger hills has the advantage of smaller ones en-route. 

To be hiked if the wind defeated resolve.

I’ve not ‘bagged’ many Monros but Carn Ban Mor must be amongst the easiest ascents to over 1000m there are. 

Apparently, though over 1000m, its not a Monro because it is too close to Sgor Gaoith, which is a Monro. 

All far to trivial to worry about really.

Fix The Fells Scotland had smoothed the way almost to wheelchair quality.  As things are all relative the slightly less wind felt almost breeze like.  Though a shelter was welcome. 

Sunburn was more of a hazard.  With southerly gusts blowing the clouds quickly away and making the blast unusually warm. At least lower down

And so I’ve added to my meagre list of Monros, or at least Scottish hills over 1000m. 

Carn Ban Mor, Sgor Gaoith and Sgoran Dubh Mor.  Three perched along the buttress of Loch Eanaich.

The first and last of the three a little round and flat but with the cloud being cooperative the hills stretched to an endless horizon.

Sgor Gaoith sits on ‘No 5 Butress’ impressive grey granite blocks held by invisible force to gravity defying sides.  

Loch Eanaich dark and deep fed from the water shed round Tom Dubh and making a soggy exit along Glean Eanaich.

Fickle as ever the cloud sank.  Sgoran Dubh Mor disappeared into white soup and magnetic north lead the way off the top down below the cloud line. The tundra became more interesting than the view.

Back to the Scotch Pine clad valley sides and car park.

And the map