walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston

Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston


Postby maninblack » Sun May 08, 2022 3:06 pm

Corbetts included on this walk: Aonach Shasuinn

Date walked: 07/05/2022

Time taken: 7 hours

Distance: 23.4 km

Ascent: 870m

5 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).


our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



We had climbed Aomach Shasuinn's adjoining Corbett, Carn a' Choire Ghairbh a year or so ago from Glen Affric, and had decided that adding the other one was a bit too much for one day (plus we had biked a long way up the glen). So it was with some interest that I noted that Aonach Shasuinn could be climbed from Glen Moriston, although it seems that no-one on Walkhighlands has produced a walk report from this start point.

The road up to Ceannacroc Lodge is a public road, and when I 'drove' up on Google maps beforehand, it seemed likely that we could park somewhere before the big house. But the Google images here are over ten years old, and when we actually got there, we were greeted by the usual 'Access Only' and 'No Parking Beyond This Point' signs that we have come to expect in recent times; the era of Staycationers has definitely changed attitudes and perhaps with good reason.

DSCN3705.JPG
Just off the A887 at NH226105


However, as soon as you turn off the A887 as in the picture above you reach a 'T' junction, and turning left here (our route goes right) you reach a good-sized car park on the right in about 150 metres. Here we parked and got the bikes ready. (BTW, for the observant, you will perhaps notice that most of the photos were taken on the way down, as we were concentrating on 'getting on with it' on the way up!).

DSCN3707.JPG
Parking area


Returning to the 'T' junction and taking the right-hand turn, we cycled up the glen on tarmac to begin with. Go around the right-hand side of the big house, and after passing a few cottages, a gate on the right leads up beside the river.

DSCN3703.JPG
Lodge


The SMC Corbetts guide notes that this route is possible, but doubts that the surface is suitable for biking. I had hoped that the recent Hydro work might have led to an improvement in the surface, and certainly for the first 4km it was rough, but doable. But shortly after two large flat cleared areas on the left, which I guess had been used for construction equipment, the track became much more loose and rocky. As it happens this is only for about a kilometre before it improves again, but we weren't to know that, and so parked the bikes at about NH203131. It is certainly bike-able all the way to the new Hydro buildings at NH180147, if rough at times, but my wife understandably didn't fancy any more bouncing around on the stones, so we faced up to slightly less biking - and more walking!

DSCN3698.JPG
Left bikes here


DSCN3696.JPG
Further up the track


DSCN3695.JPG
Approaching the new Hydro buildings. Carn a' Choire Bhuidhe on the right.


From the new buildings there is a new bridge across the main flow of water, and a much older, decrepit bridge over a side stream.

DSCN3694.JPG
Decrepit bridge - in no way do I guarantee its safety!


From here the main effort of the day took us up a fairly straight-forward slope to Carn a' Choire Bhuidhe. From here the views are superb, especially of the Munro group centred around Sgurr nan Cobhairean to the west.

DSCN3683.JPG
View west


There follows about 1.5km of undulating ground to get to the main aim, Aonach Shasuinn. With excellent visibility, this presented no problems, but I imagine it could be quite confusing in mist, as there is no real definition to the route.

DSCN3684.JPG
Confused ridge


DSCN3685.JPG
Final pull up to Aonach Shasuinn


DSCN3686.JPG
Summit view towards Glen Affric hills


We decided that we could shorten the descent by returning to the bealach between the two hills and dropping to an old track in the glen. Actually this is quite steep, and required care (map only shows upward route).

DSCN3688.JPG
Bealach


DSCN3689.JPG
Plenty of new tracks in this view


DSCN3690.JPG
Steep route down, looking back


It took longer than expected back to the new Hydro buildings. We took an old route across the hill - very surprisingly disturbing a badger along the way - only the second time I have seen one high in the hills in twenty odd years of walking. Actually at a new bridge it looks possible to follow a new track down and round to the Hydro buildings, which might have been longer, but easier going. I must say that these blend in quite well, and the track looks as if it has been there a long time; there is no sign of left-behind equipment, just the hum from the sheds.

DSCN3692.JPG
Hydro shed


All that remained was 4km to reach the bikes, and a very pleasant coast down the hill to the car!

Overall, I would recommend this route if just tackling this Corbett; adding the other one would be a bit of a mission from this start!
User avatar
maninblack
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 21
Munros:282   Corbetts:197
Fionas:68   Donalds:87
Sub 2000:11   Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:43   Islands:32
Joined: Apr 11, 2012

Re: Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston

Postby The English Alpinist » Sun May 08, 2022 3:21 pm

I like how Corbetts can throw up rare but very feasible routes, it reminded me of my experience with Meall na Fearna recently, you'd have had exactly the same bike ride! I see you're coming close to Corbett compleation to add to your Munros, I can only dream :clap:
User avatar
The English Alpinist
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 297
Munros:56   Corbetts:11
Fionas:22   Donalds:18+10
Sub 2000:1   Hewitts:136
Wainwrights:214   
Joined: Oct 27, 2015
Location: Lancashire England.

Re: Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston

Postby Sgurr » Sun May 08, 2022 3:48 pm

This is how I got into writing trip reports, albeit on Scottishhills.com. I googled this Corbett and landed over there. Didn't know there were sites like this. Then I thought since nobody else had done this route, I mmight as well find out how to post a TR. I almost threw the computer out of the window, but foggieclimber, nowMountians of Scotland, talked me through it. 377 reports later I am still posting there
http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2871
User avatar
Sgurr
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 5679
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:569   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   Islands:58
Joined: Nov 15, 2010
Location: Fife

Re: Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston

Postby PeteR » Sun May 08, 2022 4:36 pm

I've had this route planned for ages, but haven't got round to it yet, for various reasons. Interesting to note the local access signage, as had hoped to park up the road by a bridge. Will now be using your alternative parking once I get the chance to get back out.
User avatar
PeteR
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2107
Munros:282   Corbetts:173
Fionas:121   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:200   Hewitts:3
Islands:9
Joined: Jan 27, 2010
Location: North Ayrshire

Re: Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston

Postby maninblack » Wed May 11, 2022 10:14 pm

The English Alpinist wrote:I like how Corbetts can throw up rare but very feasible routes, it reminded me of my experience with Meall na Fearna recently, you'd have had exactly the same bike ride! I see you're coming close to Corbett compleation to add to your Munros, I can only dream :clap:


Thank you - and keep dreaming! I get a lot out of the planning and anticipation, plus our adventures have taken us all over Scotland. It's always good to have more to look forward to.
User avatar
maninblack
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 21
Munros:282   Corbetts:197
Fionas:68   Donalds:87
Sub 2000:11   Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:43   Islands:32
Joined: Apr 11, 2012

Re: Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston

Postby maninblack » Wed May 11, 2022 10:18 pm

Sgurr wrote:This is how I got into writing trip reports, albeit on Scottishhills.com. I googled this Corbett and landed over there. Didn't know there were sites like this. Then I thought since nobody else had done this route, I mmight as well find out how to post a TR. I almost threw the computer out of the window, but foggieclimber, nowMountians of Scotland, talked me through it. 377 reports later I am still posting there
http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2871


Thank you. That's fascinating - looking at your report, and comparing the pictures with how it looks now. It don't think the track now is anyway near as rough as the section you show, in its entire length.
User avatar
maninblack
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 21
Munros:282   Corbetts:197
Fionas:68   Donalds:87
Sub 2000:11   Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:43   Islands:32
Joined: Apr 11, 2012

Re: Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston

Postby maninblack » Wed May 11, 2022 10:21 pm

PeteR wrote:I've had this route planned for ages, but haven't got round to it yet, for various reasons. Interesting to note the local access signage, as had hoped to park up the road by a bridge. Will now be using your alternative parking once I get the chance to get back out.


Yes, there are quite a few places up that track which looked fine for parking, but the 'No parking beyond this point" is right at the start. Where we parked is fine though.
User avatar
maninblack
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 21
Munros:282   Corbetts:197
Fionas:68   Donalds:87
Sub 2000:11   Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:43   Islands:32
Joined: Apr 11, 2012

Re: Aonach Shasuinn from Glen Moriston

Postby jackfrost » Wed May 31, 2023 7:42 pm

Thanks for posting this walk report - it was very helpful, especially the parking spot. Used it on Monday.
jackfrost
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 310
Munros:282   Corbetts:188
Fionas:37   Donalds:61
Sub 2000:40   Hewitts:22
Wainwrights:25   Islands:38
Joined: Oct 31, 2011

5 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Carole McDonagh, Pritch115, tornabrack and 99 guests