HWUMC

Anyone know much about getting up this one. All the websites seem to be a bit vague about the length of the best route up and down. Although all seem to suggest its quite a long way.

Hi,

The concensus of most guides is that the Coronish route, starting at Dalrigh, is the most spectacular, weather permitting, as it takes in the views of the great NE Corrie (Coire Gaothaic). However, this involves a longish walk-in of approximately 6 km, before even stiking up the mountain proper. From the corrie you can (for walk/scramble routes) go left, which I believe is said to be the easier, or right onto the NNE ridge (Stob Garbh) where some care needs to be taken in winter conditions.

A shorter, easier walk starts from Glen Lochy and is only approx 3 km to the summit, but misses the best of the mountain. Some guides say this route involves fording a river (with boots off, brrrrr) and some mention steping stones and a footbridge 1 km SW.

Disclaimer, I've not done this walk before. I'm Hoping to join you for this one if my right foot (a little sore presently) improves by the weekend. Really don't know which route I'd prefer to try at this time of year and would love to hear others' thoughts/ideas.

Regards,
Trev

I've done this mountain by the former route not the latter. After which I said to myself that if I ever did the former again, then I'd take a mountain bike with me, as the 6km walk in is a tad dull IMO - but then again, I'm no big fan of getting unnecessarily wet (the latter). Hope this helps.

A stop up the road afterwards at the Real Food Cafe really must not be missed - bacon rolls to die for!

Where do you start the walk in - at the A85 or the farm?

Andy wrote:Where do you start the walk in - at the A85 or the farm?

On the A85 there is a signpost for a left turn for "Dalrigh" - take that and the car-park is almost immediately by the main road. You can't go wrong.

Hi,

So, is the feeling that the walk is to be done from Dalrigh? 6 km walk in with good views doesn't bother me much, but it'll probably take about 4 hours just in an out, without setting foot on the mountain proper - or more like 6, at my snail's pace.

Also interested if anyone can confirm whether going via Stob Garbh involves any 'interesting bits', or is straightforward. I've got crampons now, but have not yet used them. A friend suggested that using them for the first time high on a mountain with any 'interesting sections' involved may not be that good an idea.

Ta in advance for any thoughts,

Regards,
Trev

Trevor wrote:6 km walk in with good views doesn't bother me much, but it'll probably take about 4 hours just in an out

Sure you're not getting mixed up between miles and km?

JP wrote:

Trevor wrote:6 km walk in with good views doesn't bother me much, but it'll probably take about 4 hours just in an out

Sure you're not getting mixed up between miles and km?

It's a very rough guestimate for a semi-fit 40+ year old. I haven't done it before, so I may be being pessimistic, but see this:

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/5327

I usually multiply times by 1.5 or so, for something I haven't done before.

Anyway, I think I've managed to answer my own question as to how I'd personally like to do it this Sunday (like to try it sometime from Dalrigh in Summer though). At the moment the bbc forcast is showing rain for the area.

Here's what appears to be the easiest route (I like easy in winter/rain):

http://www.incallander.co.uk/walks/benlui.htm

As mw said above long walk in in rain, prolly not much fun.

Also, going up via Fionn Choirer gives the option to do Beinn A Chleibh easily if energy levels prove low.

Anyone know what the favoured group plan is at the mo? If it's from Glen Lochy, I'll sign up as my foot feels ok now; if from Dalrigh, I think I'll pass and wish every one going a sucessful walk and a safe return home.

Regards,
Trev

Trevor wrote:....It's a very rough guestimate for a semi-fit 40+ year old.

In that case I'd definitely recommend you take a bike to do the walk in

(BTW I'm 40 and I find the timings in the SMC Munro book fairly accurate - once I have 2 fully working feet that is)

Just a small question, without any mean intention, nor being sarcastic nor anything, concerning the change of plans due to daylight constraints: what do we have headtorches for, if not for descending a mountain when it gets dark?

mmh... You take a head torch in your rucksack in case you need it, not because you are keen to use it. And navigating your way home at night whilst being surrounded by clouds, well...

Hi Folks,

I'm a little disappointed the trip was switched for *Lawers* too.

The reason for this is ('logical' and 'personal'): I've done Lawers (via Ghlas) and out round Ghlas in excellent conditions (http://www.mountaintrack.co.uk/scotland ... ers/aug08/) and have GPS data for the walk, which was logged by someone else whom I don't have permission from to post the actual image here; but I provide some data below:

4 km to Ghas summit, 5.5 +- 0.2 km (total) to Lawers summit -> total length for trip, inc. coming off round Ghlas, is 11 km. The total time it took us was approx 5.5 hrs (with stops - summit photos and food consumption mainly). Moving time was approx 3.5 hrs acording to the GPS.

Now, Lui by the 'easy route', is just 3.5 km in + 3.5 km out, or thereabouts. So there is time to do Lui, if there is time to do Lawers the 'standard way'. The only thing I can imagine is that someone was worried about doing the long walk up Lui with the limitations of winter daylight (me too, but I'm currently slow on steep sections and slower still if there is any exposure). However, the last 1 - 2 hrs of this long walk is a straight forward walk along a wide track, which should involve no danger at all with headlamps to ensure you don't wander off the track.

[That having been said, I'm glad I can have a walk with the club without having to try the long walk for Lui at this time of year - See you on Sunday].

Cheers,
Trev

To put it as simply as I can, with acknowledgement that there are more in depth points that could be made, the change in destination has been made because:

* the given "long" route will deliberately and signifigantly put us into darkness, which is intrinsically more dangerous and thus doing it willingly is unsafe

* with the "short" route, although it can be seen to be a nice short walk, and although some consider it boring compare to the eastern approach, the fact of the matter is that we don't have a confirmed crossing point for the River Lochy. We don't want to leave ourselves in a situation where the choice is either to wade a deep river at the start and end of the day or to have a late start on some other nearby route in a last-minute decision.


Regarding the choice of Ben Lawers as an alternative - its a good winter walk and its the same distance away! Also, given good conditions, there are alternatives such as Meall nan Tarmachan available whereas with the previous selection, there were relatively few alternate routes to choose between

Hello,

Re: Glen Lochy approach to Lui etc - as of 30 Nov 2008 ...

There are 2 'footbridges' - as on OS map, but see state below. No stepping stones within easily found distance of 'hidden' Glen Lochy carpark.

Boots off, flip flops on seems the way (currently - complain about the upsteam bridge?) on the Glen Lochy approach (river today about 6 - 12 inches deep). Also had a good peek up the Coronish route, in failing light.

Photos as of today:

http://www.mountaintrack.co.uk/img_temp ... bridge.JPG

http://www.mountaintrack.co.uk/img_temp ... d_here.JPG (from 'hidden' carpark - hidden in the sence there are no parking signs - easily spotted if look left from Tydrum after you've passed it)


http://www.mountaintrack.co.uk/img_temp ... bridge.JPG (upsteam - more useful bridge, potentially)

http://www.mountaintrack.co.uk/img_temp ... n_dusk.JPG (Corinish route approx 1-2 km in in duskl)

Website updates needed as per post 1 ;P

Cheers,
Trev

p.s. If you switch the Feb Lawers trip for Lui, the same issues are going to surface - how abot Ben Lomond?

Thats a fairly epic failure in bridge functionality in the 3rd pic!