Dogs on the Pinnacles

[dogplodder]

My hill walking buddy Moira decided this would be a good duo for me to get my 100th munro. But since joining on here I've discovered 3 of my munros have been demoted since I did them - so it wasn't my 100th but that was the mentality with which we climbed them and a brilliant choice it was too!

Left car at Loch Cluanie and climbed steeply up to A'Chralaig's ridge, the South Glenshiel ridge in all its glory further west.

Tess has a rock fetish on the hill and as this pic shows her canines are worn down from carrying them. The only way to stop her is to put her on lead which can be a bit of a pain when using poles so sometimes I just let her.

Cluanie Inn below - site of much appreciated refreshment on many an occasion!

Once on the ridge got the dogs to pose for photo. They were feeling the heat.

So you can imagine their delight to find large swathes of snow! Could there be something edible down here...

Where potential munchies are concerned it's always worth investigating!

Onwards and upwards

Jack surveying the scene

Summit in sight

Moira and the handsome Jack at A'Chralaig summit

Looking back to A'Chralaig

The Pinnacles ahead

Walkers coming the opposite way expressed doubt about how the dogs would manage on the Pinnacles and said the bypass path had cracks appearing so to be careful it wouldn't suddenly disappear down the very steep side. So we went forward cautiously but found nothing difficult and only one awkward move heaving ourselves up an exposed bit that had us wondering how it would be coming down it. The dogs had no problem at all.

Here we are at summit cairn of Mullach Fraoch-Choire - me getting a kiss from Jack as it was supposedly my 100th!

Glen Affric below

View north

View back from summit

The dogs have a well established routine at summit cairns. First they sit with me for a cuddle and a photo. Then because other walkers often eat in vicinity of cairn they sniff round for titbits. I suspect they think this is why we climb hills - for them to find food - and what with stuff folk drop and bones of sheep and deer (sometimes bonanza time with a whole carcase!) pickings can be rich indeed.

Final part of dogs' summit routine is to get some kip

Now for the Pinnacles again - this time with some pics

Tess coming back to check on me - the dogs always stick close on difficult terrain

We reclimbed Stob na Cralaig so we could walk off its western ridge. It was easy walking here but a bit steeper lower down.

Fabulous day and has to be up there among my favourite hill days!

[rockhopper]

Nice report with some cracking views Belated congratulations on your 100th

[soulminer]

A truly fine duo, the views are top notch. Well captured
Cheers

[skuk007]

Great report dogplodder, and fabulous views. Good to see the dogs managed the pinnacles ok.

[steven671]

congrat`s on the 100th dog licking good to see the dog munroist`s on here

S & Jet

[Paul Webster]

Some stunning pics there.

But since joining on here I've discovered 3 of my munros have been demoted since I did them - so it wasn't my 100th but that was the mentality with which we climbed them and a brilliant choice it was too!

Does that mean you got to have a big celebration all over again after you'd done 3 more?

[dogplodder]

Now there's an idea...! But it's a bit late for that now as that walk was back in 2008

[beorwulf]

Thanks for a great report with lovely pictures! Thanks also for the reassurance about dogs and the pinnacles, as I hope to be there this spring with my cocker. You've enlightened me about why he's so keen to get to the tops, of course it's the scavenging!