Bothy Trip

I got back from a three day bothy trip with Pete Baines yesterday. I've walked and climbed with Pete for over 15 years but this was our first trip into the Scottish hills since 2007. We chose the area to the east of Blair Athol as we did a bothy trip there in February 1999, to climb the Munros Beinn Dearg and Carn a'Chlamain, and really enjoyed it's feeling of remoteness. This time our objectives were 3 remote Corbetts - Ben Vuirich, Beinn Bhreac and Beinn Mheadhonach. We planned to use the same two bothies as 10 years ago - Allt Scheicheachan and the Tarf Hotel - and hoped that they'd be in good repair.

Allt Scheicheachan Bothy.

The remote Tarf Hotel Bothy.

We left Cumbria early on Thursday morning and arrived in Blair Athol at about 10am having stopped at Tescos in Perth for some food and breakfast. Our first hill was Ben Vuirich which involved a 6 -7 mile walk in. As we left the car the sky was bright but within an hour the cloud cover had increased and it started to rain, which it did on and off throughout the day. As we climbed higher rutting stags made their presence known and large herds of deer could be seen all over the hill side. We reached the top in just over 3 hours but there were no views. The walk out was by a different route and as we descend the cloud lifted a little. We reached the car in the gloaming and were passed by a stalkers landrover towing a trailer full of dead deer, confirming the rifle shots we thought we'd heard earlier.

Pete checks our position in the 'clag'

On the summit of Ben Vuirich.

The cloud lifted and revealed Ben Vuirich as we descended.

We'd covered almost 14miles so before heading off for the first bothy we decided to treat ourselves to a meal and a couple of drinks in the Athol Arms. It was about 7pm before we left for Allt Scheicheachan in the rain. The walk in is about 6 miles so we were glad to see our accomodation for the night when we finally arrived at around 9.30pm. There was already someone in residence downstairs but after a quick chat and a brew we headed upstairs for bed. My last visit here was 5 years ago with Susan and there have been a few improvements.

Brewing up before bed at one of the new tables.

It was 8am before we got up and 9.30am before we set off for Beinn Bhreac. The clouds were low on the hills and there was the odd shower but it wasn't a bad day for late October. At first the going was easy on good tracks and paths but things got harder as we started to cut across country heading for the Corbett. The weather had improved and there was even some blue sky but this wasn't to last long and by the time we reached the small summit cairn the wind and rain were battering us. It was still a long way to the bothy and the going remained rough. At times the rain eased but the last hour following the bank of the River Tarf was very wet. We were  pleased to eventually see the Tarf Hotel and hoped that it still had a dry room to stay in. It infact had 3 good rooms to choose from and no one else in residence.
After hanging up the wet gear to drip dry we made our selves at home and started cooking tea. The Oat Cakes and Whisky were especially good in this setting. We were early to bed after another good day on the hill.

On the good initial path to Beinn Bhreac.

One of several river crossings during day two.

The final slopes of Beinn Bhreac.

Being battered by wind and rain on the top of Beinn Bhreac.

Pete does the Bothy housework.

We were up early and it was still quite dark by the time we'd had breakfast and packed. The route back to the car was about 11 miles and involved climbing over one ridge, dropping into a valley, crossing a river and climbing Beinn Mheadhonach before descending into Glen Tilt and walking back to the car. We'd grown used to the packs by now and made good progress to the river crossing. The last time we were here it was more or less hidden by snow and i'd almost fallen through into it. This time with our Yeti Gaiters on we just waded across and stayed dry.

The last summit of the trip was again cloud covered but as we started to drop into Glen Tilt things began to brighten and it was a very pleasant walk out to the car.

Leaving the Tarf Hotel early on day three.

Another and deeper river crossing.

Pete strikes his Wasdale Mountain Rescue pose on the slopes of Beinn Mheadhonach

Descending Beinn Mheadhonach with brightening skies.

The lower slopes of Beinn Mheadhonach near Glen Tilt.

The sun comes out as we walk back to the car - Glen Tilt.

We had planned to stay another day but the forecast for Sunday wasn't great - strong winds and heavy rain - so we decided to head down the road. Susan was in Symington so Pete dropped me off at Abington Services. Sunday was wet!!!

A good trip and one that brought back many memories of others to this area.