Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:25 pm
We were quickly joined by other WH folk and quickly felt at home in this impressive place that would be the centre for our walks and with the weather set fair and mildy warm it was good walking weather for the Five sisters. After heading down to the Kintail House hotel for something to eat which was very good, the quiz which was brilliantly put together by Mountainstar was upon us and our team came a credible third – sorry third last! It was time to head back and thanks to Radman for picking us up halfway from Kintail Outdoor Centre! A good night sleep was had and then we were off for a 9 o’clock start with for me a mixture of anxiety and excitement as the huge steep faces of Glen shiel was awesome and before long we arrived at the parking spot just beyond the Logging plant.
From there it was straight up. The steepest ascent myself and Su had made. We were joined by Morecame Monkey (Pat) and Gavin (Gavin 99) and Bod and Val Maclean. These people made our day and we enjoyed their company and help along the way. A great bunch of folk!
We steadily made our way up and the SMC Guide gives an hour to complete that ascent but for mine and Su was more like 2 and a quarter!! We had a brief rest before heading west and the start of the ridge walk.
Having a look to the right of the Bealach we could see the first Brother with people at the top.
We made good progress across the top of the fine ridge that is called the Sgurr nan Spainteach with little effort.
Stopping for a rest at the top, we scrambled along the ridge as it got more rocky before coming to a halt with the ‘step’ that surprised myself (and Su) which saw Bod carrying Richie down the scramble which meant that there was no excuse for us not to follow.
Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe was in sight and we had a pull up to our first Munro of the walk. The sheer height and narrow paths made sure that I was concentrating where to put my feet and it was both exhilarating and testing on the stamina to keep ahead of our friends behind us. We kept on and before much longer we had reached the slightly broad summit of Sgurr na Carnach for our second Munro of the walk and great views to Loch Duich.
Our friends in another group who had already done the Brothers ridge caught up with us and we had a good rest and a blether before we separately went in a more northerly direction which gave us sight as we looked back of the ridge walk we had done and the almost horseshoe path that we took.
We then headed down to the Bealach na Carnach before climbing the steep path and in places loose stones made sure we had a good footing up to the final Munro.
This was a good effort given that we had already climbed many tops and Munro’s and the up and down nature tested my stamina no more so that the climb up to the cairn of Sgurr Fhuaran. Along the way Su collected her 30th Munro, I got my fortieth, and Val completed 100 munros on Sgurr Fhuaran and don't forget Richie his 70th which was a great place to get it. Also in the group Bod had achieved 130 and also Gammy had also joined the 100 club. Well done to everyone!
So with having achieved the 4 sisters we headed down the very steep descent off Sgurr Fhuaran and headed towards Sgurr Nan Saighead before bypassing the peak of Beinn Bhuidhe and followed the path down the ridge, descending deeply to the flat bog of Fasach an t-Searraich before crossing the stream and joining a clear path that will take us down steps to Alt a Chruinn and the end of the walk.
Absolutely tired but with a great sense of achievement we headed up the road towards the outdoor centre. About half a mile down the road Leithy Suburbs stopped in his car and we gratefully got a lift of the last mile to the centre. It was a fantastic day and never to be forgotten. We will be back.......the Brothers are already calling!