A day worthy of Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan

[Ranger]

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Finally a half decent weather forecast for the north-west Highlands!

I needed a good day out after my last 7-hours-in-clag day in Strathfarrar in January, and today did the trick.

Drove up the sunday night and camped at the car park, but only after aborting a midnight, moonlit cycle up the glen when I realised I'd left a second jumper in the car! A daft idea anyway

Morning was a bit overcast but the sun was peaking through here and there

Looking across Glen Affric

I cycled to Athnamulloch - the track was very undulating, and was getting too rocky for me though most mountain bikers probably could have pushed on another mile or two.


Wasnt expecting the fresh snow! Had my summer brashers on, so no crampons - I hoped the snow wouldnt be rock hard on any steep bits!

Scale of lonely Glen Affric

An Affric eagle?

I felt absolutely rotten on the ascent up Socach - legs felt like lead weights, cramping up already! A packet of crisps and a ditching of a sub layer of trouser worn overnight in the tent seemed to do the trick

Old snow approaching An Socach

Summit of An Socach

Was happy to find the traverse across to the Mullach - avoiding the bumpy ridge crest and subsidiary top, was straightforward, surprised there wasnt a clearer path

Ceathreamhnan from the Mullach

The subsidiary top is the bumpiest/knolliest such irritation I've ever come across. That is all on that.

Mullach Fraoch Choire and A'Chralaig

Ascent of north ridge was fantastic - totally knackered by this stage, but still enjoyed the scrambling (Grade 1 at most) and the sudden arrival at the cairn is breathtaking.

North ridge of Ceathreamhnan

Summit ridge of Ceathreamhnan

So lucky that everything was clearing for me at the summit - it had been in mist all day prior to that. An incredible viewpoint.

Summit views from Ceathreamhnan

Looking to Carn Eige

After slipping on my backside about 10 times in the steep sodden turf, the second pair of trousers came in handy for the long walk back down the glen to the bike!

Altbeithe YH dwarfed by Mullach Fraoch Choire

Sunsets in Glen Affric

[Gavin99]

That looks like a lovely and remote area .You have some fine shots there , the summit views one is a cracker . Nice eagle

[malky_c]

This is making me homesick! A perfect day for Glen Affric

[Ranger]

That looks like a lovely and remote area .You have some fine shots there , the summit views one is a cracker . Nice eagle

Cheers - wasnt sure it was one, but when someone said in the office it was a kestral I checked it out and think it probably was one.

I've now seen eagles on Beinn Alligin, Sgurr na Feartaig, and Glen Callater... maybe a 1 or 2 I cant think of. Magnificent sight everytime

[quoman]

You got some cracking photo's there Ranger did the summer boot hold up in the snow

[Ranger]

You got some cracking photo's there Ranger did the summer boot hold up in the snow

Yeah the fresh covering was thin and the older snow patches were quite soft - turned out to be a blessing as they're far lighter than my scarpa mantas and I already felt like I was carrying lead weights on my feet!

Will definitely need to do some training before tackling the cuillin this summer. 10K run in Aberdeen will do the trick!

[pigeon]

Nice one ranger ,another place i need to visit soon,some great pics

[weebookil]

Nice photos there and not too bad a day. Is that a saltire you were planting at the top ?

[Johnny Corbett]

Monday was definitely the day to be out. I like that last photo of the sun setting in Glen Affric

[LeithySuburbs]

Cracking report and pics . I concur with your thoughts regarding the lump between the 2 munros .

[dooterbang]

Fab report Ranger - glad you got some decent weather.

[kevsbald]

Utterly fab.

[PeteR]

Nice one Fantastic weather to reward the effort involved in getting to these hills. Some great pictures there too This area is right on my radar for this year so your report and pictures are really helpful Thanks for posting

[Dorota81]

I've done the walk about 2 years ago, unfortunately from about 600m up could not see anything, milky white mist was everywhere,we only knew we've reached the summit cause to compass indications, thanks for the photos, Its the first time I actually see what i've missed, gutted, my first Munro...

[Ranger]

I've done the walk about 2 years ago, unfortunately from about 600m up could not see anything, milky white mist was everywhere,we only knew we've reached the summit cause to compass indications, thanks for the photos, Its the first time I actually see what i've missed, gutted, my first Munro...

One easy solution... wait for a good weather forecast and go back! (With a different route/ different peaks for some variety )