Garbh Bheinn

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Garbh Bheinn, 'rough mountain' is well named. It's north face has ridges and buttresses which are a climbers playground, and it is well seen across Loch Linnhe from the Ballachulish Hotel - I've spent several happy evenings admiring it whilst I eat my bar meal and drink my beer. It is possible to drive to it from Fort William but this is a very long approach. Most people will instead drive to Corran and take the ferry, which also turns it into more of an adventure.

There are several routes to the summit. The classic one is probably a circuit of Coire an Iubhair but this is quite lengthy and I was with a friend in a hurry. We therefore took the direct approach from the south, parking at the highest point of the A861 Strontian road. From here we walked up a valley which rapidly steepened right to the top of the mountain. However, there was a lot of 'dead ground' - hidden hollows and the like - and as I lagged behind my friend we lost each other. I reached the summit and sat for some time enjoying the view and wrapping up against the little bits of snow blowing around.

Eventually I decided to head back down, with the thought that if I got back to the car without him I would turn it around and put on the headlights so he would know where I was. However, we found each other about ½ of the way down, and walked back together.

I was slow walking over the boulders by the stream as my back was stiff, so by the time I got back to the car he had made tea, and sandwiches with crusty brown bread and brie. Yummy! Before this little adventure I had always wondered how parties got separated. Now I realise that it's something which can happen all to easily.