free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Fisherfield planningProbably best to start by explaining this trip had been planned and postponed many times over the years.
There have been versions setting off from Corrie Hallie, Poolewe, Kinlochewe.
Versions with bikes, no bikes. Tents, no tents. Clockwise, anti clockwise!
Cross the rivers, avoid the rivers. The big six or just the five
So what changed this year?
Probably the recent opening of the fantastic hot shower facility at Kinlochewe community toilets.
Well done to all involved, this is an incredible addition to the area.
There wasn't space in the car for a bike, so it was going to involve a long walk in and a tent.
I also had the kind offer of a drop off on Friday morning, and pick up on Sunday morning
The plan was to get in, and over the top of Beinn Tarsuinn on Friday, camping somewhere on the way to A' Mhaighdean.
That would set me up for the two on the west, before dropping down into the glen and back up the other side.
The return leg would take me back over the big two on the east and as far as Lochan Fada.
Walk out on Sunday morning
FridaySet off from Kinlochewe at 10:00
Making good progress up through Gleann Na Muice
First glimpse at what lies ahead
Made it up onto Bealach Odhar and get a proper look at Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair,
Made it on to Beinn Tarsuinn, and the views are incredible.
Can now fully appreciate the scale of what lies ahead
Views over to the tennis court, A' Mhaighdean and Ruadh Stac Mòr
It was approaching mid afternoon and I happened to be on the summit the same time as another hillwalker.
We talked about our plans, and the forecast for gusting winds over night.
Both of us were heading for a sheltered spot for the night.
Panorama from the tennis court
I had the luxury of time, because there was still about three hours until sunset.
However, it did take me a while to find a suitable spot, which would hopefully be sheltered from the winds overnight.
Stream nearby so plenty of water.
It was forecast to be rather cold through the night so decided to wear every layer I had and after a lovely hot meal, managed a reasonable sleep.
SaturdayI suspected that the cold morning would provide a fairly good chance of a temperature inversion, so set the alarm for 5:30 and planned to be packed and set off in time to see the sunrise.
Managed to get up on to the grassy slopes of A' Mhaighdean and out of the mist
And it wasn't much longer before I was up at the summit
Set off again, and up made it up the scramble to Ruadh Stac Mòr.
(This fairly steep line reminded me of the Ben Vorlich to Stùc a' Chròin scramble.
A bit of time and care required with a large overnight pack)
By this time the hot sun was starting to clear a lot of the low level cloud
Since I had planned a more leisurely pace I decided to head down between the two lochans and pick up the path heading for Shenavall.
Enjoyed stretching the legs and not having to be concerned about a potentially difficult steep descent.
Although it was a bit longer, before I knew it I was down in the glen with a fantastic view over to An Teallach
Found a nice spot to cross the river at this stage and I was now offically on the return leg
The great thing about a clear day, is being able to see where you are heading.
From this low vantage point down at 150m I could see the rim of Loch a Brisidh, and was enjoying just taking a long slow leisurely diagonal line back up the other side.
By mid afternoon, I was passing the waterfall and up at the loch
A short trip around the loch found me back up on the big six route heading for Sgùrr Bàn
Prefered this boulder field to the one over at Ruadh Stac Mòr.
The blocks seemed to be a lot more stable and there didnt see to be as many 'rockers'
Met a couple of mountaineers here that were heading for some climbing action over on the slabs.
They advised me to take my time heading up Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, as the path is a little eroded.
The WH description is accurate. It does look a bit intimidating from this vantage point
The line looked easy enough to identify from here so I took a photo in case I needed to refer back to it
(knowing that its not always that easy to stay on track when you are on the route)
Now at the bottom of the path, decided on one final drink and fuel up before heading up the final rise of the day.
Slow, steady, and deliberate progress up the path because it was a touch windy and I was carrying a large pack.
The excitement was short lived and I was up on top before I knew it.
Fine views over to Beinn Tarsuinn and Slioch.
I could also see Lochan Fada, and wondered if there would be a pitch left by the time I got down there
Making good progress down the slopes of Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, and was overtaken by a rather speedy mountaineer heading down the slopes like a parkour runner.
Hello, we exchanged as he went by.
There goes the best pitch at the loch I thought
I had decided to head left down the gentle slopes of Coire Mhic Fhearchair, instead of the bypass path around Meall Garbh and back via Beallach Odhar
Turned out to be a gentle stroll down, with line of sight to the loch most of the way.
Back down at the loch I headed straight for the spot that I had sized up on Friday.
No, messing this time. Tent set up and time to enjoy the sunset.
SundayHad a wonderful sleep this time, all the way to the alarm
All that's left to do is pack up and set off.
Got some time during the walk out to reflect on my strategy.
Probably clockwise worked out quite well with the two crux moves being the scramble up Ruadh Stac Mòr in the morning and the steep eroded path up Coire Mhic Fhearchair late in the day.
Not taking the narrow bypass path back to bealach Odhar also worked well because it had been a long day and didn't really fancy another period of concentration on that narrow ledge.
Met up with the family back at 10:30 in Kinlochewe, almost exactly 48 hours later.
Hot shower and change of clothes, before a fabulous cooked breakfast at the Midge bite cafe in Achnasheen.
After five years in the planning, Fisherfield - you did not disappoint.
If I could have hand picked a perfect trip, it would have looked something like this
