Ben Challum Summit

Beinn Challuim

is named after Malcolm: 

Derived from the element 'mael' meaning disciple, prince or chief

therefore - disciple of Saint Columba.

part one click here

Sunday 24th October

The sunny upper slopes

After an easy walk up Gleann a' Chlachain, and after our group splitting, we took lunch in a wide, six foot deep hollow which extended across the hillside. We were hidden in the slope out of the wind and enjoyed the warmth in the late Autumn sun.

Being tucked out of sight, we gave a hill fox a surprise as he followed his contouring line; such encounters are uncommon, as the true mountain fox gives us humans a wide berth - unlike his bin raiding urban cousins!

The upper slopes of Coire nan Each haven't become any easier. It is still a steep grass slope.

The sun shone strongly - and a northerly breeze made for perfect walking temperature.

Cracking views back down the glen to Ben Lui.

Bill and Andy, sharing a joke.....not one we can print....

Reaching the cairn everyone donned extra layers, that northerly wind had a chilly edge.

The first icy deposits of winter had encrusted the summit and we crunched off toward the south summit.

It was a marvellous Autumn day, bright and sunny with a hint of winter to come.

Good old Black and White lends a 'period' feel to this image.

Andy, hands stuffed deeply in his pockets, was obviously cold, and raced along to keep warm.

The south slopes leading directly to Auchtertyre are broad and easy with fab views all the way down. Don't use this as an ascent route as it'd be a mega boring trudge

Bolder (boulder) boy can't resist a challenge.

The distinctive cone of Stob Binnein above Crianlarich - Scotland's own Mount Fuji.

Passing back under the West Highland railway viaduct we had a quick look at the Strathfillan Campsite, it has lots of wooden wigwams, luxury compared to the club Vangos of yesteryear! 

We all enjoyed our day on the hill. 

...but we do talk rubbish!!!!

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Ben Challum

Beinn Chaluim- Malcolm's hill

Sunday 24th October

After dicing with death crossing the A82, we walked up the farm road past Auchtertyre.

It was a fine start to the day - summits all clear of cloud and autumn colours starting to clothe the slopes.

Once under the impressive West Highland Railway viaduct, the track gains height quickly.

On our right is the gorge of the Allt Gleann a' Chlachain, it has been fenced off, not just for safety, but as part of a regeneration project run by the Scottish Agricultural College Research Centre at Auchtertyre.

There are a few regeneration plots dotted about and it's easy to see the vegetation difference between (animals) fenced out and open hill; given half a chance the animals graze everything.

It's a very good track. We all remembered an old smelly sheep hut on the glen floor, it must have been a popular snack spot with hill walkers sheltering from winter weather - any port in a storm.

The view south east toward Crianlarich shows the extent of the forestry on the slopes of Fiarach, a tiny hill to the west of the village. The bigger An Caisteal, et al, dominate the background.The natural forest in the foreground is the gorge woodland regeneration, pretty impressive. 

Dee gave us all a good laugh when she read the information board out loud, 'Where are the large scale sheep' she remarked!

Andy's hair briefly illuminated when he grabbed the electric fence...yes it was 'live'

Ron doesn't look forward to a shock - Dee seems to relish the prospect.

Graham picked a devious line across the stream..........................

 .....whilst the girls chose slippy surface rocks. Cameras are always ready to capture the slip!

We regrouped and then decided to 'un-group', Ron going one way, Graham another, leaving Roni Dee David Andy & Bill to tackle the steep slopes beside the Allt Coire nan Each. Someone has to go to the top....

more to follow......................click here

click here to return to the Moray Club home page

Beinn Challum - October 2010

Pick of the Month

Beinn Challum

'enjoying the banter'

Andy, Bill, David, Dee, Graham, Ron and Roni