Читать книгу Walking the Corbetts Vol 2 North of the Great Glen - Brian Johnson - Страница 15

ROUTE 4

Carn na Nathrach cairn of the adders

Start	Loch Doilet (NM 81530 67320)
Distance	17km (11 miles)
Total ascent	960m (3200ft)
Difficulty	Although Beinn Mheadhoin is a rocky ridge, any difficulties can be avoided. There is a short steep climb through the forest, after which faint paths take the walker easily through the rough lower slopes to the grassy ridge. Other routes on the mountain will be much tougher. Care would be needed with navigation in mist.
Time	5hr 30min
Summits	Carn na Nathrach (786m, 2579ft)
Maps	OS Landranger 40
Access	From Strontian follow the minor road N towards Polloch. The maximum gradient on this narrow road is over 20% so it is not recommended for large vehicles or caravans. There is a forestry road on the right, signed to Ardgour, at Kinlochan just before Loch Doilet, at the bottom of the steep descent. Continue 350m along the ‘main’ road to a parking area (NM 81530 67320).
Note	It would be possible to cycle the first 4km of the route. If you look at the map you might be tempted to combine Carn na Nathrach and Sgurr Dhomhnuill but a closer look at the terrain will probably make you forget the idea. The other easy approach to the mountain is from Glen Scaddle to the E. A traverse from Loch Doilet to Inverscaddle Bay would provide a good walk if transport could be arranged at either end.

Carn na Nathrach is the highest top on the long ridge of Beinn Mheadhoin. This steep rocky peak in the centre of Ardgour is surrounded by other rocky Corbetts. The recommended approach from the W starts through an area where there are major forestry operations, but the long, gentle W ridge soon takes the walker above the forests into the rocky wilderness.

In 1790, the element Strontium was discovered by Adair Crawford in the ores taken from the lead mines above the village of Strontian (Sron an t-Sithein). Strontium is a silver metal which was used in large quantities in the production of sugar from sugar beet. It was also used to provide the bright red colours required by flares and fireworks and more recently to prevent the emission of X-rays from television tubes.

Return to the forestry road, signed to Ardgour, turn left and ignore side turns. After crossing the River Hurich, turn right and follow the left-hand side of the river past farm buildings to reach another bridge (83700 68170). After crossing the river, immediately turn left and cross a burn to reach a track junction. Fork right and climb the ridge until you reach a small cairn (45min, 120m, 84340 68310) where the track levels out after a switchback.

Turn left up a rough path which takes you up the steep slope through the forest, soon reaching the open ridge. The lower slopes of the ridge are rough, but the path makes progress relatively easy. Further up, the ridge becomes broader, grassy and rockier with many knolls which could make navigation awkward in mist. Continue to a new deer fence (605m, 87000 69660). This fence was still being completed when the author checked the route and there was no stile so the fence had to be climbed. The buttress, just after the fence, can easily be bypassed on its right. Continue up the broad, knobbly ridge to the cairn on a prominent knoll on Carn na Nathrach (3hr 10min, 786m, 88630 69870).

Return by the same route to the forest road (4hr 50min) and the parking area (5hr 30 min).