Stravaig-Day 5

Day 5 : Tighachrochadair to River Meig

Wednesday 9^th May

32km

1260m ascent

1 Corbett

The day started bright and clear with little wind as I crossed the river to the path on the north side but it soon clouded over bringing the showers back as I progressed up the glen.

Cloud building over Carn a' Ghorm-locha at the head of Gleann Goibhre

The Hydro board have a bothy at the head of Gleann Goibhre which is a useful shelter in this wild open area although what use the electric kettle is I am not sure! There is a good path from here through some rough ground to the head of the Orrin Reservoir.

Wst end of the Orrin reservoir

The reservoir was very low and some of the features of the glen before it was flooded were visible.

Glen Orrin

It was quite easy to find a route close to the river to Luipmaldrig, there is no path, and the bridge, though rather bouncy, was in good condition as were the other bridges I passed further up river.

Bridge by Luipmaldrig

Glen Orrin

Glen Orrin is particularly beautiful if, like me, you enjoy miles and miles of isolation and it was with some regret that I climbed out of the glen by Loch na Caoidhe towards the first Corbett of the trip, Bac an Eich.

View on the way up Bach an Eich

There is a path of sorts up to the summit from Torran Ceann Liath and after crossing the top a pleasant descent until you reach an extremely steep ravine that the river has carved into the hillside, much deeper than indicated by the map, but a steep path zig-zags down the northern side to Corriefeol and the river.

Summit Trig and shelter, Bach an Eich

Looking down to Corriefeol

I had almost decided not to go over the top as my knee was not behaving very well but I was glad to have made the effort, even though it did turn wet and windy for a while, as the feeling of space and the views over the surrounding hills made a wonderful contrast with the glens of the past few days.

Looking back to the ravine above Corriefeol

After crossing the bridge at Corrievuic I found a good pitch where the path returns to the River Meig and had a cold wash in the river to try and be slightly more presentable to meet other Challengers the next day.