Sgurr nan Clach Geala, near Braemore
ULLAPOOL
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1. Park at the parking area just past the forestry plantations and gated, signed track off the A832 to the south west of Braemore junction. From the parking area walk back along the road for 20 metres until you reach the track leading to Loch a Bhraoin; it is signed for long distance routes to Kinlochewe and Loch Fannich. Go past the barrier and along the track crossing a small wooden bridge and another gate. Soon the track reaches the loch beside a ruined dwelling and boathouse. Turn left onto the path (signed for Loch Fannich) which crosses the stream on a small footbridge and skirts the boggy edge of the loch before crossing the outflow on a larger bridge.
2. Once across this bridge, follow the stalkers path for about fifty metres before turning off on a smaller, boggy path to the left. This branch path leads to a footbridge over the Allt Breabaig which isn't marked on the OS maps, and avoids the possibility of having a difficult stream crossing further on. Once across the bridge, follow the very faint path which heads to the right up the valley, keeping well above the stream. Soon it joins with the stalkers path beyond its ford; once past this point, look out for a good place to strike off directly up the steep slopes on the left. There is no path and the going is arduous, but there are soon fine views towards An Teallach and other peaks.
Photo ©Paul Birrell, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence
3. Higher up the slope eases considerably for the final kilometre to the summit of Meall a'Chrasgaidh. The cairn here is at 934 metres, but the peak is rather overshadowed by the higher peaks of Sgurr Mor to the southeast and Sgurr nan Clach Geala to the south, and is one of the least distinguished of the Fannichs' Munros. Head south from the summit to the bealach and then make a rising traverse to the lochan on the bealach between Carn na Criche and Sgurr nan Clach Geala. This is known as 'Am Biachdaich – meaning the place of the fattening, due to its fine grasses.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence
4. From the col, climb the slope beyond. This is fairly broad at first but soon narrows to give the most enjoyable section of the day. There are huge sweeping crags to the left as the fine ridge curves round over several undulations before finally reaching the trig point on the summit of Sgurr nan Clach Geala. This has a magnificent situation with a feeling of space all around. The walk continues down the broader south ridge (still with steep crags on the left), which leads downhill for a long way to reach the pass at Cadha na Guite.
Photo ©Bill Copland, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence
5. To reach the third Munro of the day, continue up the ridge beyond. It curves gracefully first to the right and then to the left, giving a fine traverse to the summit of Sgurr nan Each. The highest cairn is at the far end of the little ridge at 922 metres. Return to Cadha na Guite, and then descend the steep western slopes. There are one or two bands of crags but these are avoided with care; bear right on the descent to reach the col at the head of the Allt Breabaig valley, which requires careful navigation in mist, avoiding a descent too far into Fliuch Choire.
6. The col here is very boggy as is the first part of the descent to the north; try to pick up the top of the stalkers path (just the far side of the valley floor) as soon as you can, as it gives a better chance of dry feet. Continue down this improving path, which soon crosses back to the east bank of the stream. After crossing several smaller streams it rejoins the outward route at the point where you turned off to make the steep ascent to Meall a'Chrasgaidh. Reverse the outward route to return to the start.
Photo ©Roger McLachlan, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence
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