Last updated: 08/03/12

Schiehallion
4 Mar, 2012

Thirteen members and one prospective member attended this minibus meet to highland Perthshire for an attempt on Schiehallion. The minibus rolled out of Aberdeen shortly after 7AM and rolled into Braes of Foss car park around 9.22am. Travelling time was 2hrs 15mins and the minibus was (surprisingly) only the second vehicle of the day to park up below this iconic mountain, which was used in an experiment to measure the weight (or mass) of the earth. After getting sorted out the party set off on the good path around 9.35am and though there were still some pockets of mist and cloud hanging about it had a feeling that the day might turn into something special.

A slightly dozy looking group sorting themselves out at Braes of Foss Car Park

John Muir Trust Info at the start of the route

Schiehallion from Braes of Foss

The path built by the John Muir Trust has a great surface and plenty of drainage and so height was gained quickly. It was not long before everyone was looking across to Beinn a’ Ghlo and Carn a’ Chlaimain and could make out quite clearly the trench of Glen Tilt and to the right of Beinn a’ Ghlo, Loch Tummel in the snow less glen now far below. A few cars arrived in the car park shortly after and one or two parties zipped past and once on the shoulder of the hill it appeared rather busy. Quite a few groups had dogs out with them today.

On the Schiehallion path (Loch Tummel behind)

Viktor (fresh back from Kilimanjaro) with Carn Mairg munros behind

Early morning on Schiehallion

The President’s Party numbered 14 and it was not long before they were well spread out. As all on the hill today were experienced and conditions were good this was not an issue. The time spread between the first and last arriving at the top of Schiehallion was 40mins.

Schiehallion’s East Ridge

The mist begins clearing… looking towards the top

Mist clearing from summit

Is there any room at the Ling Hut?

Garry on the sna’

There were very few snowfields on the hill but the snow that existed was hard. No more than 2cm of fresh snow was lying (MWIS suggested 2-10cm above 200mtrs)

Schiehallion Schiehallion

The “main body” of the President’s Party reached the others (just below the top) 2hrs 20 mins after setting off. The mist came and went a while before finally clearing after 12 noon.

Alec, Garry, Carol and Ruth on Schiehallion

Alec (and small snowman) on Schiehallion

Ken, our able driver for the day, returned to Braes of Foss for the minibus and Alec joined him whilst the remainder (now split into a fast and “less fast” party) proceeded to Kinloch Rannoch by the hill’s West Ridge. The ridge is a delight, bouldery and rocky in a couple of places but never technical and a path of sorts is followed until it develops into a better path lower down.

Dunalastair Water from Schiehallion