Home Glossary

Carn Mor [Glen Dessary]

Corbett

Quick Facts

This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.

Altitude

829 m (2719 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.

NM90329094

An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.

Stature

117 of 222 Corbetts

The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.

Routes

Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.

Meaning

Large cairn

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required

33	Loch Alsh, Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn
40	Mallaig & Glenfinnan, Loch Shiel

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

Description

Carn Mor is a mountain with a split personality. To the E and SE it has moderate slopes, becoming steep in a few places but the slopes are generally crag free. To the W and NW, however, this hill has the character of its neighbours in the Rough Bounds of Knoydart - being steep and very craggy.

The normal approach is from Strathan in the E via the E ridge of Carn Mor which avoids the most difficult terrain.

Hazards you may encounter on Carn Mor [Glen Dessary] include

Relatively Remote Mountain navigate with care.

Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.

Crags on or near ascent routes.

General Considerations

Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.

Wind usually increases with altitude.

Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.

River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.

Picture Gallery for Carn Mor [Glen Dessary]

Carn Mor, with Sgurr na Ciche and Garbh Cioch Mhor behind, from Sgurr nan Coireachan; 22nd July 2004.

Image by Roger Vander Steen

Carn Mor seen from the north beyond Glen Dessarry from Sgurr nan Coireachan, November 2008

Image by Alex Bryce

Quartz type rock outcrop near top of Carn Mor: 15th June 2015

Image by Oliver Bartrum

Carn Mor (Glen Dessary) seen from the West, looking down Loch Morar from Sron Ghaothar. To the right is Glen Pean and the lower slopes of Sgurr nan Coireachan.

Image by David S Brown