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Moseying around West Monar

Moseying around West Monar


Postby weaselmaster » Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:20 pm

Munros included on this walk: Bidein a' Choire Sheasgaich, Lurg Mhòr, Maoile Lunndaidh, Moruisg, Sgùrr a' Chaorachain, Sgùrr Chòinnich

Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn Tharsuinn, Sgùrr nan Ceannaichean

Date walked: 06/06/2021

Distance: 59 km

Ascent: 4429m

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An opportunity to see how our level of fitness had improved, and how Allison would manage carrying a big(gish) pack. These long light nights and reasonable weather are just made for longer days. I wanted somewhere that would have fair amount of track, the ability to cut short if required and good hills. Glen Carron seemed to fit the bill, other than being a long drive up on Thursday night. The roads were not too bad, although I did get stuck behind slow things on occasion. We got to Craig about 21.10 and got the rucksacks ready...spoke to a guy in the car park who'd just done Tharsuinn/Sheasgaich/Lurg Mhor and the two Sgurrs in the one day, no bike. Quite impressive...I said we were taking a more leisured approach. Off along the track on quite a humid, warm night with a plan to camp somewhere by the Allt a'Chonais - there are plenty of spots. We walked for just over 4km and found a suitable one, midges kept at bay by a light breeze and a good night's sleep.

The watcher in the woods...
ImageF32D9595-6887-412E-B4F1-3B228F6B1E71_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageA8B22566-1155-4C6F-B0E3-4C5C87E360AE_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Got up quite late on Friday after the long drive up - set off around 9am. Today we'd go over Beinn Tharsuinn, head for Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor, do the Top on Lurg Mhor and camp either at the head of Loch Monar or, if we were feeling fit enough, back up at Bealach Bearnais. There was the usual wire bridge to navigate, not much fun because the river level was low. Then up to Bealach Bearnais, not too wet for a change. Up onto Tharsuinn, with an English couple and maybe a younger guide with them, who were heading for Sheasgaich too. Clouds were coming and going on the tops of the Munros. We stopped after summiting Tharsuinn (my 50th Corbett - yippee!) to eat lunch and check out the way ahead.

Image208F8C5B-4750-4927-9C58-C79F6D6C8280_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Tharsuinn
ImageEBEC162F-1016-461E-B9A7-69B31BAA86D4_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Sheasgaich
Image266BC6D1-B698-4257-855A-C4A4602E36FE_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

The first time we'd done these hills I'd taken what I assume to be the usual route up Sheasgaich, following the line of the wall. With a big pack, this route is steep and unpleasant in a couple of places, so I'd decided we'd counter round the east of Sheasgaich and ascend via Bealach Coul an Torrain. Maybe you lose a little more height and have to cover a little more distance, but it turned out to be a much more comfortable route. The other group were starting up Lurg Mhor as we reached the bealach and turned up Sheasgaich, but we met up with them when they'd come down from Lurg Mhor and we were starting up - they were pondering which way to head back. I wouldn't think there were really that many options...

ImageFE639EC8-4E3E-4C70-BFDC-BC538617FCCA_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Sheasgaigh
ImageAD4166AA-D472-403B-A3EB-208A2FE3011A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageDAE99DB6-01BD-498A-9E0C-E0511FF1825A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image2C605171-1686-445D-B65B-E48E3119FB03_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageF1C33A76-9C8A-49A6-BDB0-887A68B86DFC_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

We sat at the top of Lurg Mhor and watched the clouds coming in from the west. Over to the Top of Meall Mor, which is a little narrow. Allison had a moment when we did this previously, whilst I - at the height of my limited scrambling prowess - took the ridge straight on that occasion. Now I have "the fear" and contoured on the steep grass to the summit, Allison having joined me after slipping on a tricky bit. Not a particularly pleasurable experience today, but we both got our Top. Back to Lurg Mhor, where the clag had completely closed in - we met a woman on her way up who was disappointed in her timing. At the bealach we turned down towards the Loch, deciding that we'd camp there tonight rather than force out another 400m ascent to get back to Bealach Bearnais - where it might be rather windier. We found a pleasant spot to camp on and enjoyed another fine night.

ImageCEC3E7F0-F96B-4FF8-86CD-17D847BFFE08_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageD2AB6BA5-8300-4254-BDF4-797EC1593ED6_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image91C877DF-641B-474F-A12C-57FD929741C2_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

High clouds, quite warm on Saturday, we followed a rough path up towards Bealach Crudhain - the path petered out after a bit, but deer tracks took us where we wanted to go. We could of course have gone straight up Sgurr nan Conbhaire, but Allison hadn't been a fan of that way last time :wink: As we started up Sgurr Choinnich we could see quite a few folk heading up to Bealach Bearnais. A little snow still in the northern facing corries, a reasonably pleasant walk along the summit ridge then the descent and climb back up to Sgurr a'Chaorainn. Always a pleasure these two hills. We paused at the summit of Chaorainn for lunch, being joined by a lad from the Lakes, who was also off to Maoile Lunndaidh, but being considerably fitter than us and carrying a small pack, wouldn't remain in view long :lol: Anyway, we had the out-and-back to Bidean an Eoin Dearg to do. In my mind this is quite a flat 2k out and 2k back, but there is a bit more drop and re-ascent than I remembered (and I've done it twice before :D ) Anyway, mission completed, we returned to the summit of Chaorainn, collecting our packs en route and prepared to head to Maoile Lunndaidh.

Image3E1974F3-DB4D-47E7-974B-BC0D4D9C258F_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageDEBB53C1-E239-4905-A770-E258AB1B4852_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageA2FA1923-37A9-46B2-98CB-0EBCF0318AAF_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image023AAE33-6844-4B54-8018-0FD0E1B770A8_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image6B7D5D83-2B68-4279-B9DF-594F070FD6BB_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image82C0F76D-9768-4E17-B111-C28A29EED07D_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Maoile Lunndaidh
ImageB51D4147-2462-4D07-82EE-9618CAD4D849_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

First time round we summit camped there - I was quite keen to repeat that experience - it may be out highest summit camp. However the weather forecast was saying rain in the evening and fog overnight - not really much point in a summit camp in clag...We set off, following the usual route, again not as boggy as on previous occasions. It is a bit of a brute though - we met a couple of northern English lads on their way down - they were staying at Gerry's Hostel, which, now that it's being run by his son, seems somewhat improved. We continued up to the summit, realised we were too early to summit camp even if the forecast was good (it was only 15.50) so we headed off on the long down hill slog over boulders. A couple of nice waterfalls on the way, then we headed for the track at Coire Beithe. We'd stayed near the ruins once before and thought this would be alright again - we had decided to do Moruisg and Ceannachean on Sunday, so we'd be near the start of the zigzags.

ImageD87B520D-8223-4EFD-BA0D-EDB2775BCF12_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image1C1A1AE0-73EE-450D-A782-4AB1D2503D37_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageC5DEFB1A-62B8-4408-BD55-9D440A16B014_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image2390508E-077B-46AC-97E8-5A6C6EC6A34C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Chose a reasonable spot - though the grass around the river is quite stony - and sat having out Huel. Allison is of the opinion that 2 scoops is insufficient after a day out on the hills. I - on the other hand - feel that 2 scoops is enough. Anyway, it's always a looked forward to part of the day. Read some Chekhov short stories then retired to bed - although the forecast had predicted heavy rain by 7pm, but it was still dry and sunny at 9. There was some rain overnight, to be fair, but the top of Maoile Lunndaidh looked to be clear for much of the time.

ImageE7BC33F7-AFC2-4493-B3AA-5D1FDE5B6D4C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image4E6EC737-EC50-4FB8-8559-042452872346_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Neither of us slept particularly well and Allison said she was "dead" on Sunday morning. That didn't stop us getting set off for Moruisg - a Munro neither of us needed as we've each done it 3 times before - by just gone 8am. Midges once again kept in submission by the breeze. We struggled to find the start of the zigzags up Moruisg, but once on them it is a gentle mountain elevator, taking you to 750m with minimal effort. Then a bit of a trudge over boggy ground to the summit - where a really cold wind was blowing. The first time we were here we had on winter trousers and had to strip down to our pants it was so hot...well not today. The walk over to Ceannaichean was bitterly cold, but the wind lessened as we walked off the hill and found the other set of zigzags down - indeed it was warm and sunny in Pollan Buidhe. We had lunch then headed back to the car, enjoying the fine views of the south Torridon hills on the way.

Image2F7A41EE-E263-4504-91C2-39E4AC84BBED_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image2BFD9C21-AD95-48A5-9CFC-A805959B77A5_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageC127E316-3244-4729-A6C6-A937576E0491_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr.

ImageA073A440-5DD4-4BBF-8637-030192C28E32_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageED2A2B68-FAB0-4BA1-9C09-22B1B5D40DFD_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image4949F105-FDD5-432F-8B43-18186AC6A88F_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr
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weaselmaster
Ambler
 
Posts: 2521
Munros:282   Corbetts:90
Fionas:219   Donalds:77+36
Sub 2000:395   Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:15   Islands:34
Joined: Aug 22, 2012
Location: Greenock

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