UKC

Can anyone tell me how far in it is possible to bike to Carnmore? Apparently the path has been improved. Don't mind pushing a bit.

Also other than Dragon and Gob and the big VS which seem to get all the stars, any other must do routes to E2?

Any recommendations on best route on lower tier?

Thanks
Graeme

In reply to graeme gatherer:

I think there are some arrangements in place to not use bikes so that the path doesn't get trashed. You can bike to near the end of the forrest.

In reply to Donald M: that's right

In reply to graeme gatherer: I've only done "the big VS" on that crag but I have heard that Carmore Corner is an excellent E2 (upper tier).

In reply to graeme gatherer: Yup, you can chain your bikes pretty much at the end of the forest. Still a fair wee walk, but it's all flat and easy enough and the bikes will be welcome on the way back.

In reply to Donald M:

so a wee bit past Kernsary?

In reply to graeme gatherer:

Have taken mountain bikes in about 1.5km or so beyond the forest, until path starts downhill. Have to carry them across gate/stile at end of forest, but worth taking them bit further than the forest.

The new path was built (with public money!) in 1997, and is regularly used by estate ponies during the stalking season. As a bike causes a lot less damage than a pony, then see no reason why can't take bike as far as practical?

Gary

On the lower tier I remember Balaton as being pretty good at HVS / E1. Big VS is I think Fionn Buttress, not sure it really deserves ***

In reply to GL: Thanks a lot everyone. Hoping to blast in and out same day and get a few things done. Cheers.

In reply to David Lanceley:


cough, splutter, choke... Each to their own I suppose but I thought it was tremendous, one of the best routes I've ever done. Sure, not every pitch is VS and some passages are a bit scrappy and dirty, but for overall sense of scale and committment, and a couple of highly memorable cruxy bits I'd reccommmend it to anyone.

In reply to graeme gatherer:


I reckon a night at the barn is an integral part of the experience. There's loads more in the environs than you can get done in a day; Wisdom Buttress on Ben Lair looks good and Maiden Buttress is also worth a visit; possibly the most idyllic spot I've climbed on in Scotland.

In reply to graeme gatherer:

When we climbed at Carnmore, we (there were 6 of us) paddled across Loch Maree in 2 open canoes, hid them on the far side of loch and walked in from there. It was rainy so me and my mate were the only ones that climbed, we did Dragon.

In reply to Jamie B.:

After doing some of the other routes at Carnmor we thought it was poor.

Might have been different if we had done Fionn Buttress first?

In reply to Jamie B.:


I know, but we want to climb somewhere different the next day. Also means travelling much lighter and faster.

Have had a better look at the guide now and Balaton sounds like the route to do on the lower tier.

In reply to graeme gatherer:

I thought Penny Lane, Trampoline, Balaton and Hyena Corner were good. Dragon and Gob were brilliant.

I haven't done Abomination but it looks great.

In reply to David Lanceley: Fionn Buttress certainly deserves its 3 stars; and then some.