Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Monday 22 April 2019

Creag Mac Rànaich, and an Easter egg

After breakfasting on some of the pile of provisions sourced last night, I enjoyed a scenic drive to Lochearnhead, then up to the head of Glen Ogle.

There's a small layby near a bridge over the disused railway that now serves as an excellent cycle track. Boots were donned - just as well, as despite the dry weather it was squidgy in places, and tussocky. I headed over the bridge and up beside a felled forest. Slow going due to the pathless, tussocky terrain, but only 4 km to the summit. On the way up there were good views to Lochan Lairig Cheile, with the hills beyond Killin melting into the distance. (Top picture.)

The northern ridge offered a pleasant approach to the 809 metre summit. In fact there were two summits. Not knowing which was higher, I went to both of them, the rare 'selfie' being taken from the furthest (but I suspect lower) top.

Views were cloudless but very hazy. The third picture is looking back to the summit ridge from an outlying protuberance of 772 metres which I visited on the way down.

There was nobody else on this hill on this Easter Monday. All I saw on the 8 km, 3 hour excursion with over 500 metres ascent, were a mountain hare, grouse, and numerous small birds like wheatears and stonechats.

There followed a five hour drive to Bacup, including rather longer than desired on the M6 in Lancashire. More the fool me for attempting to travel on a Bank Holiday.

Anyway, I got there in time for a plate of spag bol, and a share of the family egg.

And that's it for this trip...

2 comments:

afootinthehills said...

Good to see you got a summit Martin. I remember it well even though it was way back in June 1989. Hard to believe.

Phreerunner said...

Thanks Gibson, it was a nice little hill, and a surprise not to see a soul for the duration of the three hour walk.