Strathfarrar 4 from Inverchoran

[steven65]

I`d wanted to do this group of hills for quite some time - but was doubtful if I`d manage to do it in the allotted time due to the access timings at the "gate" .
So I decided to do them from the north - setting off from Inverchoran in Strathconnon. I drove up and slept in the car overnight in the large- ish car park at the end of Loch Beannacharain , awaking to a slight frost at 445 am & a light scattering of snow. Onwards after coffee to Inverchoran some 4km back along the road - it`s quite a good access road . I parked on the grass verge - there`s not a lot of room here & I didn`t want to use a passing place. It was a beautiful morning , a wee bit cold but the sun was rising , blue skies & no cloud - yet. Signs at the drive way welcome walkers & ask for co operation at stalking times etc . At the farm buildings a sign points the way over a bridge & then you have to ford the water again which wasn`t high. The track into Gleann chorainn is easy to follow and wasn`t wet underfoot - the slight frost made it hard & comfortable - better than a bogfest. The route was enjoyable climbing to give a great view back down the glen , which was FULL of deer - I`ve never seen so many in 1 place - very large numbers. Once over the top a bit of height is lost as you drop down to Loch na Caoidhe , the sun was now up and a welcome heat was felt. I headed for the ruined cottage / shieling having my 1st break here trying to shelter from the wind and pick out my route up towards An Gorm-loch & Creag a` Ghormlaich . Again the frost helped here holding up the steps cut into the mainly grassy by the elements , it would have been much harder in the wet or rain. Higher up now at An G-l the wind was fierce from the west making me work harder. I took some fotos here before moving higher up through the rocky face , now dealing with freshly lying snow quite deep in places. It was hard work , I thought I saw a howf or a shelter ahead it was actually a small "shed" housing a TV ariel or some sort of booster ariel for transmitting etc -it was maybe 10ft x 5 ft x 7 ft - big enough to try and shelter in in a bad storm , the wind had blown the door in and some snow was inside , I didn`t linger it was cold in the strong wind. At last I reached Sgurr na Fearstaig in the wind & snow & cold -some quick fots before pressing on. On to Sgurr fhuar thuill the wind behind me pushing me along , I unrolled my Berghaus hood from the collar pulling it over may hat - the R/H side of my face had taken a fair blast from the weather ! I wanted to stop for another break but the weather was quite horrendous now -icy strong wind whipping up snow - I felt happier now my face was better protected , I`d had my snow goggles on since coming up beside An G - loch. The weather was worse than predicted /anticipated & made for a hard day out - I did go to the top of Creag Ghorm a` Bhealaich hoping for a shelter . Thankfully the wind lessened and the snow stopped. Boosted by this Sgurr a` Choire Ghlais seemed a long way away and uphill too ! Nothing else for it but to press on , I did get some decent fotos now the clouds blowing through to the north & east - occasionally south too giving god views.
Eventually I rested on S-a C-G the 1st cairn offered more shelter from the wind , but was deep with fresh wind blown snow. I made do here and enjoyed a rest - something to eat & fleeting views. After a rest the cloud came in as I moved off --- making an error and decending south down towards Coire Glas Mor ........ after 5 mins I knew something was wrong , so I checked & had to re-ascend back to the summit trig in a bitterly strong gale. The next part was the scariest of the day - decending down to the bealach before approaching Carn nan Gobhar - fresh snow was lying quite deep in places all the way down here , I didn't need my crampons but had my axe in hand now just in case - it was a long decent & very testing - mind over matter perhaps. I was glad to reach the bealach Carn nan Gobhar in front looked much easier although the wind was very strong now. The summit approach was difficult in strong wind , deepish snow & ice underfoot amoungst the boulder field. The wind did quite literally blow me along , I could have cried at the though of coming back along this way from Sgurr na Ruaidhe , the better weather from 6 am was long gone & although I enjoyed these hills , I was taking a lot longer than I`d initially thought. I`m not a quick walker..... S nan R topped then back to the bealach trying best to skirt Carn nan G out of the wind- ha ha - not . Boulder fields lying snow & strong wind made for a hellish day , I was glad to drop down towards the track where the Allt Coire na Sg meets the Allt a`Bh Bhig . No more snow , wind lessening , goggles off. Another rest now . the track was rough -but very welcome . I realise my day was far from over . Deer now appeared again 100`s of them !!!!!! it was a joy to approach the wee Loch na Frianich in warm sun . However once over the excellent suspension bridge the climb up on the (good) track is fierce , head down again and push on. Eventually dropping down the other side Inverchoran appeared & my car in the very far off distance at the access drive. Still sun now , blue skies again , a wonderful day out in sometimes very hard conditions . Don`t underestimate this route if you fancy doing it - it`s long , I`m slow albeit "hill fit" , no doubt other folk could be quicker..... overall enjoyable and no access time difficulties. still no fotos here - yet , but on TH via FB 10 fotos at the time.