Walks Programme, January-March 2017 Nevis Hillwalking Club (Our aim is to have someone hillwalking every week-end) Affiliated to Mountaineering Scotland Website-www.nevishillwalkers.org.uk and on facebook Contacts-email: [email protected]; or 'phone: SECRETARY: Suzanne Theobald 01397 701783. Meeting Places/Times Car park at the Woollen Mill (Ben Nevis Highland Centre), junction of Glen Nevis and A82 roads, Fort William – 08:00 departure. Alternatively, join at the following places when going: beyond Spean Bridge - Spean Bridge Woollen Mill, 08:20; over the Corran Ferry - Corran Ferry slip, 08:25 ; to Glencoe or the A82 south - Glencoe Village car park (by mountain rescue post), 08:30 ; to Kinlochleven or the Oban Road (A828) - St Brides School, North Ballachulish, 08:25. If in doubt, or if you want to join the group elsewhere, contact the coordinator. Programme Layout The area we are going to is indicated opposite the date of the walk. The relevant O.S. 1:50K map number is given, with the grid reference of the starting point of the walks. Suggestions for other walks in the same area are welcome. It is club policy that each walk will include an experienced member. Walk distances and heights of ascent are estimates. Gaelic translations are in italics. The programmed walks and routes are flexible. Other walks and/or routes in the same area may be undertaken by some or all of the members who attend. Co-ordinators For each outing, we have a "walk coordinator". See the Walks Programme to find out who this is. The co-ordinator is not a leader, and members should not expect to be led on a club walk. We hope to encourage self-confidence and self-reliance on the hills, with experienced members helping those less experienced, if required. The onus is on members to provide relevant information to the co-ordinator. This will aid the organization and safety on the hill. There is a need by members for good communication (before the walk, on and off the hill and at the end of the walk), responsibility, duty of care and awareness of others. Checking Arrangements and Walk Details Further information about the walks can be obtained by studying the map and referring to the many guidebooks available for our region. Information about routes, weather and avalanche conditions will be found on the web. See our website for links. To check arrangements and discuss details for any walk, please contact the coordinator. Let the coordinator know what you want to do, either before the day of the walk or at the meeting point. Members doing through routes must ensure they make their own arrangements for transport at the end of the day. Safety and Equipment Remember that safety is your responsibility. Read the Code of Practice, found in the Club Handbook on our website. It contains a list of appropriate clothing and equipment that all members should have on the hill. Attention is drawn to the need for crampons and ice axe in winter. Please ensure you are fit enough on the day to complete the route you want to do, under the prevailing weather conditions. After the Walks; We aim to meet and socialise in a convenient inn or cafe in the area. When making suggestions for walks in future programmes, it may be easier to copy/paste descriptions in your email from websites such as www.walkhighlands.co.uk , although different routes are also appreciated Sat. 31 Dec. Map 41, NN145683 Glen Nevis Mullach nan Coirean (939m, Munro) (Summit of the Corries)- From the Lower Falls CP head W along the road for about 300m and turn left on to the forest road. Almost immediately fork left on to a footpath rising beside the Allt a’Choire Dheirg and rejoin the forest road at the hairpin bend at NN140680. Turn right, follow the road up to a WP at NN134 95 684 53 . Turn left on to a footpath that climbs S up through an area of clear-felled forest. The path continues over a stile and on to the open hillside. Head up SE to reach the foot of the NE ridge of Mullach nan Coirean and follow it to the summit. Descend SW along a broad ridge, then up to the summit of Meall a’Chaorainn, 910m. Descend its N ridge and join the WHW, heading NE. At about NN124706, leave the WHW and follow the footpath NE down through the forest, to reach the lowest forest road. Turn S and follow it back to the start. (15Km, ascent 1069m) Suggested by Gerry Gilbert & co-ordinated by Suzanne Theobald Sun. 8 Jan. Maps 40/41, NN021635 Ardgour Sgurr na h'Eanchainne (730m). (Not high enough to make it into the Corbett list, this hill is nonetheless an imposing feature in the Lochaber landscape and one of its best viewpoints.) Start at the Ardgour ferry slip and follow the A861 N to the graveyard at Cille Mhaodain, NN012656. Climb NW up the ridge immediately behind the graveyard to reach a shallow coire and continue NW to a col, NM996665, at the foot of the N ridge of Sgurr na h-Eanchainne. Follow this S to its summit at 730m. Descend W, past a lochan on the col and climb W, then SW to the summit of Meall Dearg Choire nam Muc, 734m. Descend SE down a well-defined ridge to reach the waterfalls of Maclean’s Towel. Descend steeply to the communications tower at NN000645, follow the track SW to Ardgour House, then follow the estate roads to the A861 back to Ardgour ferry slip. (14km, 800m ascent) Suggested by Gerry Gilbert; co-ordinated by Liz Stevenson Sat. 14 Jan. Map 34, NN257887 Glen Gloy Beinn Iaruinn (c800m, Corbett) (Iron Hill)- From the end of the road in Glen Gloy head E up the track. After about 1 km, before the road dips, head for the cave marked on the map. The land slip here is worth exploring. Continue up the hill along the broad ridge to Beith Og, following the river E and S to the summit of Beinn Iaruinn. Follow the rim of Coire nan Eun S, then descend SW towards Meall Breac. The walk can be extended here by going S to a col then up to the summit of Leana Mhor. From Meall Breac or Leana Mhor descend to the river confluence at NN 276887. Cross the river and return on the outward track. (10/12 kms, 750/900m ascent) Suggested by Gavin Theobald; co-ordinated by Suzanne Theobald Sun. 22 Jan. Map 41, NN138566 Glen Coe Sgorr nam Fiannaidh (967m, Munro) (Peak of the Fian Warriors) - From the road junction, a faint footpath heads N up the steep slopes on the E side of the Allt an t-Sidhein 1:25k . Where the stream bed opens out, at about NN 139575 cross the stream and head NW up into Coire an t-Sidhein and gain the summit ridge. Continue E to the high point (967m). The walk can be extended E along the easy ridge to Stob Coire Leith for views of the Aonach Eagach. Descend W along the ridge of Sgorr nam Fiannaidh to a ring contour at approx. NN 134582 then pick up a path which leads NW down steep ground to join the Pap of Glencoe path ( transport required ). (8kms, 1050m ascent) Suggested & co-ordinated by Andrew Gilbert Sat. 28 Jan. Map 41, NN377814 Glen Spean Beinn a'Chaorainn (1052m, Munro) (Hill of the Rowan) & Beinn Teallach (915m, Munro) (Forge Hill)- Head up the track from Roughburn and at a junction continue to the right. When the track exits the forest head W to the spot height 628m and continue up the steep S ridge of Beinn a’ Chaorainn to its S top then on to the summit. Follow the edge of Coire na h-Uamha to the N top then descend N and W to the cairn at NN371867. Climb the steep slopes to Tom Mor and follow the NE ridge of Beinn Teallach to its summit. Descend the easy angled slopes S to the corner of the plantation at NN363833 and then take the path S and back through the forest to the start. (16kms, 1150m ascent). Suggested by Gavin Theobald; co-ordinated by Andrew Gilbert Sun. 5 Feb. Map 41, NN021686 Ardgour Stob Coire a'Chearcaill (770m, Corbett) (peak of the Circular Corrie)- Start at the parking at Inver Scaddle and follow Cona Glen to a break in the trees at NN004700. Ascend the SE ridge of Sgurr an Iubhair to its summit, then follow the plateau around E to the summit of Stob Coire a’ Chearcaill. For a short day descend SE along the edge of Coire a’ Chearcaill then back to the track in Cona Glen. For a longer excursion continue over Braigh Bhlaich, Ceann Caol, and round to Meall an t- Slamain, descending to the road at Stroncheggan. Transport required. (12/14 kms , 880/1060m ascent). Suggested by Chris Tracey; co-ordinated by Ken Stevenson Sat. 11 Feb. Map 50, NN344290 Tyndrum Ben Oss (1029m) (Loch-outlet Hill) & Beinn Dubhcraig (978m)(Dark Rock Hill) (2 Munros)-From the parking at Dalrigh, follow the track over the river and railway, then head up through the woods into Coire Dubhcraig (the woods are a beautiful remnant of the Old Caledonian Pine Forest, the Coille Coire Chuilc) . Aim for the lochans on the ridge between Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig, and head west then SW over the 941m knoll to the summit of Ben Oss. Retrace your steps over the 941m point to the col and then SE on the ridge to Beinn Dubhchraig.