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Affric-an holidays: Aonach Shasuinn

Affric-an holidays: Aonach Shasuinn


Postby BlackPanther » Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:07 pm

Corbetts included on this walk: Aonach Shasuinn

Date walked: 19/03/2021

Time taken: 8.25 hours

Distance: 20.3 km

Ascent: 935m

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Having climbed Aonach Shasuinn before by the most popular route (Ceann Aonach Shasuinn ridge to the summit and back down the same way), we always wanted to traverse more tops when repeating this Corbett. Our idea was to include Carn nan Coireachan Cruaidh and Cnap na Stri (both are SIMMS) in a circular walk around Coire Gorm and Toll Odhar. This route looked like it would make the most out of Aonach Shasuinn ridge without taking detours to outlying tops. Creag nan Calman and Carn a'Choire Bhuidhe could also be added, but the latter is just a flat extension of the main ridge, not really worth the bother, and the former involves deer fence climbing, so we were happy to skip them. Eventually, our route ended up looking like this:

Track_AONACH SHASUINN 20.3KM.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


Still nearly a 1000m of ascent and some wet and overgrown ground, but very enjoyable walking high on the ridge, with fantastic views to the other side of Glen Affric as well as the Glen Shiel peaks.
Starting from the main Affric car park, we were glad to see blue sky above us - it was going to be a good day, hopefully!
River Affric from the bridge:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 003.JPG

Public mudbath to Cougie, the only downside of the southern side of Loch Affric :lol:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 010.JPG

We set off up the boggy path. It was the third time this year we were walking up that mess and hopefully the last! Sadly, when approaching Aonach Shasuinn from the main Affric car park, there is no other way to reach it. The alternative approach along the hydro track from Cougie is dry but much longer.
Views from the banks of Allt Garbh:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 014.JPG

A right of way?... More like a right to snorkeling. Or kayaking :lol: :lol: (photo taken on the way back)
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 282.JPG

At last! Once on the upper track, we enjoyed some dry walking. Our target hill on the horizon:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 024.JPG

The bridge over Allt Garbh is useful when climbing Carn a'Choire Ghairbh, but today we stayed on the northern side of the river:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 029.JPG

Locals watching us:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 033.JPG

We followed the main river into the glen for a short time, before aiming SW in the direction of Ceann Aonach Shasuinn, which looked like an easy way of gaining the main ridge of the Corbett. We had done it once before, but it was in winter conditions, we marched up the compact snow in crampons. Today, there was no need for winter gear:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 040.JPG

Mullach Fraoch-choire reminding us that winter is not fully over:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 047.JPG

On the map, the ascent route looks benign but on a closer encounter, it does feel quite steep and tiring:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 054.JPG

A glimpse into Coire Gorm and the ridge we intended to walk:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 060.JPG

The day was shaping up nicely and I simply couldn't stop the excitement of being "up there" once again. I'm always like that: when I can feel the mountain madness in my veins, I'm ready to meow!
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 063.JPG

The lower Glen Affric and Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin from the 873m top:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 066.JPG

Melting snow overhang on the edge of Coire Gorm:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 070.JPG

The highest tops of the surrounding mountains were still covered in cloud when we reached the main ridge of the Corbett, but forecast was for more sunny spells in the afternoon, so we were full of hope, we might still see the panorama of Affric.
Bewildered:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 074.JPG

From the 873m top, it is only a short, flat stroll to the summit proper:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 077.JPG

The summit cairn is about 50m from the highest point (which is marked with another, much smaller cairn). Lucy celebrated her 120th Corbett! She hasn't been to Aonach Shasuinn before, unlike us:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 093.JPG

Our 2nd Corbett in 2021. We have been sitting on 165 Corbetts since last summer and can hardly wait for restrictions to be lifted, so we can travel further away from home to bag new tops!
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 225.JPG

I shouldn't complain too much about the current lockdown anyway - we are in so much better position than many other hillgoers, living in the Highlands and close to such a fantastic set of mountains. Sometimes I feel guilty when posting our trip descriptions, thinking that some of you are restricted to TUMPS at the moment :(
The Affric pano slowly beginning to reveal itself:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 234.JPG

A glimpse into Glen Shiel:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 230.JPG

The true summit cairn - can easily be overlooked, especially when wandering around in the mist:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 104.JPG

Looking back the way we came, with the bigger cairn in the foreground:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 106.JPG

The continuation of our route follows the edge of Toll Odhar to the eastern part of the ridge, Carn nan Coireachan Cruaidh (also known as the top with unpronounceable name :lol: :lol: )
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 107.JPG

There is only about 50 m of reascent to the highest spot on the eastern ridge (872m). Very enjoyable and easy underfoot, great views in all directions.
Panoramic view of the main summit of Aonach Shasuinn and the "backside of the triplets" (Sgùrr nan Conbhairean trio):
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 118.JPG

Càrn Mhic an Toisich, the Graham we walked the day before. plus the wind turbines, of course. There's always a windfarm in sight, said Kevin:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 135.JPG

On the top of Carn nan Coireachan Cruaidh (thank heavens for the copy-paste function :lol: ):
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 137.JPG

One more panoramic snap, with Aonach Shasuinn in the middle:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 141.JPG

North to the main ridge of Affric:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 138.JPG

The ridge now turned north and we walked over several minor tops, enjoying views from each one:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 168.JPG

The descent to Bealach Fraoch-choire was rather gentle if a bit squelchy. I spent time examining every patch of snow, not even noticing the improving conditions on the high peaks on the horizon :lol:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 187.JPG

Panther's pawprints:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 188.JPG

Cnap na Stri looming above Bealach Fraoch-choire:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 191.JPG

Another 50m of ascent, much steeper than it looks on the map, but Kevin didn't complain:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 267.JPG

Mam Sodhail, Sgurr na Lapaich & co. from Cnap na Stri:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 209.JPG

The final descent from Cnap na Stri back to the track in the glen was the wettest part of the route, quite bumpy and in places overgrown with heather. We aimed for a deer fence below Carn an Daimh and intended to follow it down to the track. Some fences are not marked on any maps so this area can be confusing, careful navigation is necessary. But the views are second to none:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 215.JPG

The last 50m down along the fence were the most annoying, high heather everywhere and very slippery. But it was a small price to pay for such a fantastic day of hillwalking.
Kevin searching for the best line of descent:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 278.JPG

One last glimpse at the Affric pano:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 220.JPG

Once on the track, we retraced our steps don the Cougie public mudbath, most of the time we had to follow the vegetation alongside the path rather than the path itself :lol:
2021-03-19 aonach shasuinn 283.JPG

I think this is the bast way of climbing Aonach Shasuinn, exploring the ridge to the full in a circular route. I can understand that for those who want to bag both Corbetts on the south side of Affric, this might be to much of an extension, but we always preferred to climb Affric Corbetts separately as it gives us more opportunities to get to know them better.

I have two more stories to write, from Easter break, and both are from local Munros. TRs to come soon.
User avatar
BlackPanther
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 3839
Munros:268   Corbetts:182
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Joined: Nov 2, 2010
Location: Beauly, Inverness-shire

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