Little West-Side-Story: Five in a Row

[Grisu]

Clearing my backlog of walk-reports I start with the most pleasant and last walk of this summer's walking-season.
The weather forecast was fairly good and I took the chance to tackle another loooong walk -- the most prominent feature of the walks this year: loooooong and very often awfully boggy.
To save me another approach over boggy ground I took the five Western Fannichs in one go and won my Fannichs-Finisher-T-Shirt which Callum, the nice guy from Ullapool Youth Hostel, promised me to bring about - well I think work is still in progress ...
There were only a few cars at the layby and a small party of three which I met several times during this walk was heading ahead of me and soon out of sight. I was in no hurry and enjoyed the solitude of this isolated countryside.

Impression from Loch Bhraoin

The first part of the walk was very boggy - as described on WH. And I probably managed to find the most steepest pathless part of the arduous ascent which seemed almost endless. But once upon the ridge all efforts had been forgotten as usual, the views were great and happily I followed the route towards the first munro of the day. However, the closer I got to Meall a'Chrasgaidh the foggier it became and views had been veiled by the fog at the first summit.

Crossing of Allt Breabaig over a not very trusting bridge

Some parts of the bridge have been taken to cover a very boggy spot.

Nice view over Loch Bhraoin towards An Teallach which kept capped the whole day by clouds, reminding me of the Table Mountain in South Africa

First summit of the day in mist: Meall a Chrasgaidh

At the cairn I met the little party for the first time and they asked me whether I could take a picture of the three of them - of course I could. So the Scottish flag was taken out and they were posing victoriously , then continued their walk in a speedy pace. I followed in a more moderate speed and very soon the fog lifted and views opened up again.

Heading towards the Bealach

Views from the Bealach

Looking back towards Meall A Chrasgoidh - now in clear sight

The next summit, Sgùrr nan Clach Geala, was reached and the horse peak, without any obstacles and nice views. Only few other walkers popped up form left or right and I wondered where they came from.

Crags short before the second summit

View towards the Eastern Fannichs

Summit View from Sgurr nan Clach Geala

Trigpoint & Cairn at the summit of Sgurr nan Clach Geala

summit view

Outlook towards Sgùrr nan Each

Slioch

Torridon's & Slioch

View from Sgùrr nan Each to Meal Gorm

After another photo-session at Sgùrr nan Each - but this time without the flag - the Party took off again and I took my time to enjoy the views and had a little break. Then it was time to tackle the traverse which - to me - was the most unpredictable part of the walk. On my way down to the col I passed the party while they were sitting on the slopes and contemplating their bearings (not that they didn't know where to go but the man was instructing the two women in mapreading). At the beginning the path was quite good but became awfully boggy for about the last third
The party cought up with me again on the far side of the col and in close following we ascended together towards the next ridge on a surprisingly good path!! Still, it was quite a loooong walk until we finally reached Sgùrr Breac, the fourth munro of the day.
And again a looong distance had to be overcome to A' Chailleach with the wind getting quite strong along the ridge which made me a bit tired.

Reaching the col at the head of the Allt Breabaig

broken shelter cairn at the col

nice path up the far side - no more boggy sections

a little bit of scramble

ridge to Sgùrr Breac

Outlook towards Toman Coinich

Toll an Lochain

Last summit A'Chailleach

overlooking the Fannichs

An Teallach & Loch Bhroain

For quite I time I was ahead of the party but at the summit they resumed their walk very quickly while I spent some time to enjoy the views from A' Chailleach before I reluctantly turned around, and retraced my steps back to Toman Còinich not much motivated.
There I met the party again which have had a break and the man offered to go back together. So together we took off and down Druim Reidh but when we came to the point where the path was going down almost vertically I waved goodbye. I couldn't keep up with their pace, else I wanted to enjoy the lovely evening sun - there had been not so many opportunities this year - and took my time.

Deers on Druim Reidh

shining slades

View Back at the End of Druim Reidh

Looking back

Assynt Mountains

End of ridge

breathtaking steep slopes

nearly there - enjoying the peaceful views

Finally I got back to my good old car which needed a little bit TLC before driving back to Ullapool.

Oil Check

[past my sell by date]

Great walk - . and very long - but it's always good to bag a fiver. I went exactly the same route in 1999 which was my big Munro year - 59 I think - so I was very fit.

I think this is the Summit of A 'Chailleach but I'm not certain
and a few other pics that I think I took on the walk

You get a great view of An Teallach - From Meall a Chrasgadh I think

I wrongly attributed them to Am Faochagach that I did a few days later. The film stayed in the camera for ages