Climbing two Corbetts: map & data
Total climbing: 819 m
Total time: 07:26:48
6.5 mile walk, 7h30 – average around 1 mph (includes two steep ascents)
This was Day 2 of our wild camping trip.
When we got out of the tent we couldn’t see An Dun or any of the other hills anymore. They were all engulfed in a thick cloud.
9.15 – The hills have disappeared
We took the path up the hill and headed for An Dun, our first Corbett.
The temperature was good and there was little wind, but we had very poor visibility.
9.54 – On our way to An Dun, Corbett #1
In this trip we saw plenty of beetles and slugs, many more than in other trips.
10.12 – A friendly beetle
10.13 – A EUROPEAN BLACK SLUG (ARION ATER)
We stopped for breakfast at about 10.30. We had tinned pork (which neither of us loved), pasties (which weren’t bad at all), and some bars.
We resumed our hike in thick fog.
10.47 – Simon guessing the path
No more than a foot away from the path, Simon spotted this grouse nest.
10.57 – Seven grouse eggs by the path
Every few minutes we stopped to look at the map and take compass bearings (or rather, Simon did) to make sure we were going the right way.
Later on, when we looked at the GPS graph, we saw some impressive straight lines.
11.07 – Simon taking compass bearings in thick fog
Soon the path became steep.
11.16 – The steep rocky climb
We made it to the top of An Dun without trouble.
11.50 – Maria at the top not knowing where to go next *
Taking plenty of compass bearings we navigated from An Dun to our second Corbett.
11.59 – Simon at the summit looking for the way out
12.43 – The steep descent from An Dun
Loch An Dun, which sits between the two Corbetts, looked magic.
13.01 – A dream view of Loch An Dun
At the bottom of the hills we refilled our bottles and had lunch: sandwiches (tongue, cheese & salami, pâté) and something sweet.
13.11 – Simon refilling the bottles for part 2
13.34 – Rabbit holes, plenty of them
The climb up A’ Chaoirnich is steep, very steep. It felt almost vertical at times.
14.37 – Looking down. It’s steep *
15.10 – Looking up. It’s even more steep
After a lot of hard work, slow climbing and the occasional stop to look at nowhere, we reached the top.
It was then that I had that wonderful feeling of living for the moment, of wanting to be nowhere else other than here and now. That’s why I love those trips so much.
While at the top, it started to rain. It was a steady shower that would eventually sip through our jackets and Rab gloves. We’ve got to find a way to keep our hands dry and warm.
15.40 – Simon at the top of A’ Chaoirnich
In this trip we saw plenty of large frogs, more than ever. I think they were happy to see some rain after the long dry spell.
16.26 – One of many happy frogs jumping around
The descent from A’ Chaoirnich is quite flat at first, but it then gets much more vertical. There was no clear path, so we walked through the heather, which isn’t the easiest way to get to the bottom.
16.56 – View of the bog to come
When we finally made it to the bottom we followed the fence, through the bog, and reached our tent without getting too muddy.
Alas, we were both somewhat cold from the rain that had drenched our gloves and jackets.
17.15 – Trying not to get muddy boots
For dinner we had rice with vegetables and chorizo. As the Executive Chef, I suggested that we first fry the chorizo in the Trangia non-stick pan, and that we use a sachet of chicken soup instead of the dubious sauces we had brought.
We both agreed it was a superb idea, and one of the best camping meals we’ve had.
To fight the cold, we had porridge for dessert.
18.32 – Our second gourmet dinner in this trip
We both slept well this second night too. The temperature was good and there was no wind, but it rained for a few hours during the night. Fortunately the tent didn’t let us down, and remained dry.
The next day we cycled back to Blair Atholl in beautiful sunshine.
I took all the photos with the Panasonic, except for the panoramic.
* Simon took these two photos.