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I had previously done the Brothers Ridge, but was happy to make arrangements with Big Jasper to do it again.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=89622 The forecast looked ok and Covid regulations suited taking two cars. We opted to do it in reverse from my first time and leave option for Jaf, to throw in Ciste Dhubh .............. if he was up to it
- The steep start up to Bealach na Lapain. Managed to stick to track this time :)
- An oldie from near the start point which I couldn't resist.
- Saileag.
- Coming off Saileag.
- Down to Glen Shiel, toward Forcan Ridge in the fog.
- Another oldie. Ridge out to Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg.
- Summit, Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg, 1036m.
- Jasperman!
- Road ahead to Aonach Meadhoin.
- Ciste Dhubh, playing hide and seek most of the trip.
- Ciste Dhubh.
- Summit selfie, Aonach Meadhoin.
As usual, Big Jesper doesn’t hang around and we had soon completed the three Munro’s. It had been pretty misty, but we had enjoyed seeing a Brocken Spectre en route. We waited of the top of Sgurr an Fhuarail for 10-15 mins, waiting for the mist to clear, deliberating whether to drop off the north ridge, to allow Jaf to take in Ciste Dhubh, or not. Didn’t clear, but there seemed a semblance of a path, so down we went.
- Presuming that's the hinds further down the hill, judging by the speed they were running at :)
- Approach to Aonach Meadhoin.
- Aonach Meadhoin, Jaf's 196.
- Heading for Sgurr an Fhuarail.
- Aonach Meadhoin, Jaf's 196.
- The Brocken Spectre
Thankfully, we were soon below the cloud and Ciste Dhubh cleared nicely ahead. I had been suffering niggling knee pain and having done Ciste Dhubh, ok, I was just feeling lazy and fancied the thought of a pint in the Cluanie Inn, so had to politely decline to join Jaf, on Ciste Dhubh
- Heading for Sgurr an Fhuarail.
- Back to Aonach Meadhoin.
- Brocken Spectre.
- Ciste Dhubh finally emerges from the fog as we head down the NE ridge.
- Loch Cluanie.
- Finally get a glimpse of some of Five Sisters.
- Mullach Fraoch-choire, a braw hill
- Lingering look back up glen, but Jaf lagging behind, somewhere up Ciste Dhubh :)
- Nearing the end, pint and soup :) Across to the South Glen Shiel Ridge.
The path down the glen was a splishy, sploshy as I remembered. Lower down I crossed the river and joined the track, which comes out almost at the Inn. Good decision, Jim!
Enjoyed a plate of soup and a pint, though it ain’t cheap. Finished in nice time to head back up route a little and meet the returning conquering hero, before returning to the start point and making our own way home. Nice day out once again.
