Footprints Across Scotland

Why not make a few of your own!

25th July 2014

A traverse of two peaks that form part of a fine horse-shoe at the head of Loch Slappin.





Route Map



With another very warm day forecast I decided to make an early start to get most of the climbing done in the cooler hours. As it turned out it still felt a bit muggy as I prepared my pack after parking at the North end of Loch Slappin. I didn’t dally, hurrying on my way to escape the early morning midges that were already out looking for breakfast.

Belig catches the early morning light












Belig catches the early morning light

Allt Aigeinn flows out from the corrie west of Garbh-bheinn into a rocky bed on the grassy plain between Loch Slappin and Loch na Sguabaidh before mysteriously disappearing underground. I followed its course upstream for a while before crossing to start the steep climb up Belig’s south east nose.

Garbh Bheinn












Garbh Bheinn

A steady ascent soon saw me reach a small grassy plateau east of the top.

Blaven, Sgurr nan Each & Garbh Bheinn












Blaven, Sgurr nan Each & Garbh Bheinn

I was greeted by a number of sheep who evidently like to enjoy a good view over lunch. They scampered away all too quickly but I was left in the company of a number of Meadow pipits making inroads into the local insect population. There was hardly a breeze which encouraged a lingering stop at the summit. The local wall builders had made a fine job of providing a rather good handrail to lead me on my way over to Garbh-bheinn.

Blaven and Garbh-bheinn from Belig












Blaven and Garbh-bheinn from Belig

Some care was required to avoid a slip over some loose rock on the way down to Bealach na Beiste. From here there was a fair bit of height to regain and then some, initially over a mixture of grass and rock but a liberal mix of scree was added higher up. The gradient eased as the ridge narrowed on the final approach to the small summit perch. It was still only midmorning so an extended lunch was taken while soaking up the views.

Sgurr nan Each & Garbh Bheinn












Sgurr nan Each & Garbh Bheinn

The impressive Matterhorn shaped Clach Glas proved a good deterrent for a continuation over to Blabheinn (Blaven), whilst a scramble over Sgurr nan Each was passed up in favour of the chance to explore Coire Aigeinn.

Clach Glas & Blaven












Clach Glas & Blaven

After a steady descent to the bealach I dropped into the corrie paying attention to the loose rubble. The ground became more stable as scree turned to boulder field and eventually short grass.

Belig












Belig

The sound of running water echoed along the length of a deep chasm that enveloped the Allt Aigeinn before the quite returned as the water flowed into a more open channel.

Belig












Belig

The burn meanders down through the glen spilling over cascades and down waterfalls resting momentarily in azure pools with crystal clarity before continuing its journey. Despite the dry spell there was still enough water in the bigger pools to provide too good an invitation to pass up.

Pool, Allt Aigeinn












Pool, Allt Aigeinn

It’s hard to beat the feeling of contentment while sitting on smooth rock drying off under the warmth of the sun after a cool refreshing dip in a mountain stream. I eventually managed to stir myself and cajole my legs into movement and continue on my way.

Corrie Aigeinn












Corrie Aigeinn

Leaving the corrie I passed a couple and their two young boys also enjoying the delights of a tempting pool and water slide.

Blaven, Sgurr nan Each, Garbh-bheinn & Belig












Blaven, Sgurr nan Each, Garbh-bheinn & Belig

After arriving back at the point where the Allt goes subterranean, all that was left was a short able back across the grassy plain to end what had been a fine outing.

Allt Aigeinn bed rock & Strath Mor












Allt Aigeinn bed rock & Strath Mor



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