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Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:25 pm
by Jockstar
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The ridge walk seen from Bealach na Carnage
We had been out and about in the hills for the last three weeks trying to get fit for the WH Kintail as we knew that if the weather held that we were going to do one of the most iconic walks in Scotland if not in the UK – The Five Sisters of Kintail. So no pressure then, as having dropped of Ruby (no hills for you this weekend!) we made our way up towards Tyndrum as we couldn’t resist a wee fish supper for lunch at the Real Food Co. :D Setting of again we made our way to Fort William and turned left at Invergarry onto the road to The Kintail Outdoor Centre at Morvich.

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Kintail Outdoor Center


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.

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South Shiel Ridge


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!

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On the way up!


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Made it! Phew!


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.

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Bod at the Bealach


Having a look to the right of the Bealach we could see the first Brother with people at the top.

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Saileag - the first Brother


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Of we head westerly towards the ridge.


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Towards Sgurr nan Spainteach


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.

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A rest on Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe


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Sgurr na Carnach


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A Great Bunch of Guys and Gals


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Su in front of the 'step' after her epic descent


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.

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We reach Sgurr nan Saighead for our 2nd Munro


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Scooby reaches for the stars!


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.

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Sgurr na Fhuaran


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.

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The ridge walk seen from Bealach na Carnage



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!

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3rd Munro done! Brilliant!


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Going down


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.

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Loch Duich


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Nearly there - pour a large one!


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Panoramic


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Panoramic


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!

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:37 pm
by mrssanta
Great Stuff.
I'd love to have seen Bod carrying Ritchie down the scramble.!!!

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:39 pm
by jonny616
Well done to you & Sue. Them sisters were tough little buggers. Great to share a couple of them with you & the gang 8)

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:40 pm
by LeithySuburbs
Some cracking pics there JS :D . I only picked you up as I was worried I might damage my suspension if I ran you over :lol: .

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:44 pm
by Jockstar
LeithySuburbs wrote:Some cracking pics there JS :D . I only picked you up as I was worried I might damage my suspension if I ran you over :lol: .


i hope were referring to the bulging rucksacks and not us!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:50 pm
by Scotjamie
Cracking day JS and great report & pics - the brothers are a breeze after that
Great meeting up with you and Su - look forward to next time

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:00 am
by Valerie
Great report and pics Brian. The whole weekend was just amazing and one I will remember for ever. It was great to meet all the old friends as well as the new and I can't wait for the next one ( a wee bird told me Leithy will be posting something soon :D :D :D )

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:54 am
by monty
Great report Jockstar with some excellent photos. "Bod carried ritchie down the scramble." Didnt he carry Sue down with his other arm :lol: :lol:

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:55 am
by Johnny Corbett
Brilliant, i am however very envious as this is the walk myself and Kim would have been on had we been able to make this meet. Good to see you all had a great time and as for the weather, it looked perfect :D

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:22 am
by Graeme D
Great stuff Brian. Much of that looks strangely familiar! :?

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:28 am
by dooterbang
Fantastic day for a most splendid walk...well done to y'all.

I remember that initial ascent as been very steep also and being a hard pull up it.

Cracking photos...very jealous/envious :)

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:38 am
by quoman
Quality report and excellent picture's. looks like that everybody had a magic weekend.

Can't wait to get up there in may.

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:56 am
by mamoset
Excellent report & great photo's. :)

Chris.

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:54 pm
by Gavin99
Lovely ,your report sums up the day nicely, great to meet yourself and Sue , what a brilliant weekend !
Cheers , Gavin :D

Re: Five Sisters With Many Having a Naughty Weekend

PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:05 pm
by suhowfar
Great day had by all :D

Really enjoyed these, thanks to you all (Bri, Bod, Val, Gavin & Pat) for helping me to get to the end :D :lol:
This was a fantastic day with friends old & new, and a few Naughty milestones reached :D

Though I would leave it up to Jockstar to write our report, and quite rightly so as he has captured the day really well in his report with some great photos (I usually do not comment on his posts, but I could not help myself on this occasion as it was such a wonderful day with so many memories I will never forget).

Nothing much else to say apart from great - company, achievements, fun, weekend (thanks Bod & Val for organising it)

Hope to see you all again soon :D :D