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The Long Wait for SunsetIt was the 19th March 2022 and I was setting of on my first solo outing since An Teallach on the 24th April 2021. Quite disappointingly remarkable, but really went to show how little I got out in 2021, and 2022 as it ultimately turned out.
On this Saturday I had opened for Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach as they offered a relatively straightforward day walk. But with nearly 4 hours’ worth of driving each way I knew it would be a tiring outing regardless of the walk itself. I had toyed with the idea of a high camp or bivvi, but strong winds scheduled for later in the afternoon and overnight kiboshed that opportunity.
I arrived at the limited parking just after 11:30 and given it was such a glorious day, I wasn’t surprised to see it busy with other cars. Thankfully I managed to safely squeeze into the last remaining space, get sunscreen applied and set off. Undoubtedly there would have been a few more spaces if a select few people didn’t park like dweebs.
Looking down to Loch Quoich or Cuaich… and across to Gairich
I quickly arrived at the small cairn which marked the start of the stalkers path. I was 99% certain it was the start of the right stalkers path, but I would concur with the route description that it didn’t look promising at first.
The Rhododendron tunnel
The rhododendron tunnel doesn’t last long and once past the pylons the views continued to improve with each meter gained. The stalkers path was relatively good going underfoot and I had perfect visibility. Once across the fords I took a bearing for the summit of Spidean Mialach and took the direct approach.
Looked close, yet also far away
Looking down to the south and over Gairich and co. 
I have long earmarked Gairich as a potential great overnight packrafting expedition and always fancied the northern shoulder. It was promising to see it in person and know it would be walk-able.
For this outing I had played it safe with the winter boots and packed in the crampons. On the early stages on the hike, I had passed a couple of others with only summer kit, and I felt a bit over dressed for the occasion.
To the summit of Spidean Mialach there were only a few patches of icy compacted snow, but it could have been far worse. 
I had reached the summit of Spidean Mialach just before 2pm so I hadn’t really taken very long at all. As my overnight potential had been scuppered, I instead elected to take the tripod and extra layers as a bit of a compromise to see if I could hang fire to catch the sunset on Gleouraich. Given progress to date it was looking likely I would have to take meandering to a new level to avoid having hours to pass.
Some views from the summit
I devoured my first lunch and managed to stay put savouring the views for just over 30 minutes before the chilling winds and general winter conditions meant I had to get moving again.
There were a few souls scattered ahead of me, but it largely felt like a very welcomed solo and quiet jaunt between the two Munro summits. I stopped briefly to chat to the only person I seen doing the route in “reverse”, or technically clockwise. Often wonder what dictates when a route on Walkhighlands is clockwise or anti-clockwise. I had always assumed it would go predominately west to east on the higher sections to reduce potential impact of the prevailing wind. However, I always prefer to get the bog-trot over with earlier in the day and leave a well-defined path down to the car.
Looking up towards Gleouraich there was clearly more snow lying on the steepish east side and there were some impressive cornices hanging on for dear life.
Looking towards Gleouraich – spot some walkers in the distance
Zoomed 
The route up Gleouraich looked far steeper than when looking back towards Spidean Mialach
Although steeper for the vast majority there was a nice winding path, which would only disappear with the remaining patches of snow. There were one or two occasions where the snow patches, although only a 100m or so, proved quite awkward underfoot. I did consider putting on the crampons on a couple of occasions but elected just to follow in others lingering frozen footsteps for greater traction.
Nearly at the summit 
Maybe closer to the edge that I would personally opt for 
It was just after 4pm when I did reach the summit cairn of Gleouraich. With sunset still 2 hours aways I spent a bit of time finishing off my remaining food suppliers and contemplating if, quite frankly, I could be bothered waiting 2 hours for the sunset.
I took a seat and ended up having a brief 15-minute nap before being reminded it was still pretty cold up there!
The summit 
Summit views
It’s all about Knoydart 
Elite athlete food
The view northwest – the route skirts down to the left. 
After feeling a bit like I was clock watching and a bit of internal deliberation, I decided I couldn’t be bothered hanging around for sunset and if I left now, I would still be home well in time for my normal 10pm bedtime – rock n roll!
Good fitness training lugging the tripod and crampons around for the entire walk…
From a previous outing on the South Glen Shiel ridge although slightly hazier at the time we thought to have seen, what we could only assume at the time was a private airstrip. In much clearer conditions on this day, that seemed to be the case. After a quick Google I couldn’t find any information other than it being the lingering industrialisation of a hydro scheme – so much for blending into the environment! Money talks… too much!
Would be a pretty cool landing spot although maybe dangerous to navigate into…
This walk did also have a secret hidden scouting agenda – but more on that in a future Walk Report!
View towards the impressive looking Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich
Late afternoon sun
I did very much enjoy the well-defined path down to the road and was in the car and ready to head home by 6pm.
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hills in excellent weather. Although the seemingly never-ending single-track road out of Glen Garry is far less enjoyable! There’s a few beautiful potholes that make your whole body ache with dread.
Thanks for reading,
Andy
