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I had been at Cannich for a week, in a caravan, hoping for a decent day to do this walk. The best weather happened to come along the morning after I had performed a three hour solo concert in Inverness, and hadn't got back to Cannich until 1am, but I bounced out of bed and made a picnic! Leaving the boyfriend-with-dodgy-knees behind I drove along towards Glen Affric in Mum's volvo estate, borrowed for the trip, and parked by the Chisholm Bridge. Setting off up the path, I was glad to see it was dry, and I felt pretty good. The scenery was spectacular.
I trundled on, not sure at first which one of the peaks ahead was my destination, but soon it became clear (or not, as it was shrouded in mist). It started to drizzle and I became a little despondent! However, I carried on.
After a while I came to the burn, which I stupidly crossed too soon, and ended up thrashing about in the heather trying to find a way back again. I wasted an hour in this fashion!! I could have just checked the map, which was in my pocket! I trod in moss and got my boots wet, and they let in rather a lot of water, so after that I resigned myself to wet feet, cursed the boots for calling themselves waterproof and crossed back to correct my navigational mistake.
After that, and having gotten on the right path again, I set off up the steeper path, Creag na h-Inghinn, the trickier but more interesting route to the summit. By this time the skies had cleared and it was a fine afternoon. My legs were starting to protest and I made slow progress for a while but eventually got to a good height. Loch Mullardoch looks amazing from up there!
I spied the summit, much further along than I thought, but as I approached it a misty cloud came in and at the summit I could see NOTHING. Being alone, on top of a mountain in the mist, I thought I'd better get a move on, and set off towards Tol Creagach along the ridge. A couple and a dog, the only people I'd seen all day, look like tiny specks in the photo!
I managed to get a phone signal and let Graham know I was ok, but I was running a little later than planned and knew I would lost the signal again soon so I turned off the ridge at the Bealach Toll Easa and followed the path back down. I don't like to be out for too long because he worries about me! Besides, my legs were aching and after the previous late night I'm not surprised I was a bit knackered. I made very good time going back down, gaily splashing through the bogs in my useless boots (bought some decent ones now) and the sun came out, giving me some better photo opportunities.
I got back to the caravan, and ate an awful lot of food, even though I had quite a bit en route!! A very enjoyable day, with stunning scenery. Sorry to have missed out Tol Creagach but glad to have managed a decent hike before we had to head off back to Orkney again!
