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It’s been a while since I have posted a walk report, but I thought it was time I got back into the habit. It’s not that I haven’t been out, but for reasons completely unconnected to the hills I’ve not felt too inclined to share my experiences recently. Reading Gammy Leg Walker’s excellent and inspiring report though on his century Munros on Beinn Alligin has inspired me “get over myself”
Since my last report I’ve had a day out on the Glen Lyon horseshoe, dealing with some unfinished business on Meall na Aighean. This was then followed by an aborted attempt on Beinn Bhuidhe, which found me in “can’t be a****d” mode and a bit of a snow shower gave me just the excuse I needed to turn back
On the return to the car I was compelled to visit the Fyne brewery shop whereupon I made a small investment in some Fyne ales. And Fyne they are too
Can’t think of a Fyner excuse to return – although I’m not sure how many “aborted” attempts I can have on the hill before MrsR becomes suspicious
Bhuidhe was then followed by a foray into Glen Carron and the Munros of Sgurr a’Chaorachain and Sgurr Choinnich
A good day, but my return to walk reporting is going to be my trip to Eastern Fannaichs on 22 April and culminating with a real humdinger from the weekend just gone
It was the Eastern Fannaichs which had recently given pigeon a kicking. So, thanks to pigeon for planting the seed of a walk in my head. I hope this report can provide the encouragement to return and finish the job off
Not that I was that hopeful when I arrived at the parking area of Torran Dubh at the end of Loch Glascarnoch. Despite the forecast, which had been pretty promising, the cloud looked dark and brooding when I arrived
- And all I see are dark skies
My departure had been slightly delayed as dark and brooding had turned into p*****g down while I was getting suited and booted
But soon enough I was off. Not down the suggested, excellent landrover track that I has completely not seen signposted. Oh no, if I was going to have a bog trot I was going to do so from the very beginning and so took the path meandering alongside the Abhainn an Torrain Duibh
Got a nice view or two of the water tumbling over the rocks, which I’m sure was worth the increasing bog I was having to endure
Actually, it was worth it. As was the right hand fork making its way up beside the Allt an Loch Sgeirich.
- I always have a soft spot for a water feature
- Making my way up toward Creag Dhubh Fanniach
I probably walked in too far and had to cross the burn and head up the pathless side of the ridge where I then made my way easily onto Creag Dhubh Fannaich and ultimately my first Munro of the day Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach.
- Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach from Creag Dhubh Fanniach
- Clearing skies over Meall Gorm and An Coileachan
It seemed I was being blessed on the weather front too
All the cloud and clag appeared to be melting away in front of me as height was gained. So, when I arrived on the summit of Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach the views were opening up nicely. A little hazy perhaps, but that’s much preferred to no views and/or getting soaked.
- Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach summit
And there stood one of the best views of the day so far – Sgurr Mor
There was a little bit of cloud hanging around it as I hit my first summit, but as I was making my way down so the conditions just got better and better
- Sgurr Mor
I did have a slight issue in descent off Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach. In a desire to avoid the cliffs overlooking the Coireag Barr an Fhialaidh and Loch a Mhadaidh I took a line a little too far to the left and found myself on some rubbish, steep, rock and boulders. I was quick enough in putting that right and reacquainting myself with the path. It was then a good stroll over the minor blimp before a steady climb up Sgurr Mor. Passed the stone shelter along the way, but wouldn’t have fancied sheltering in it – it was full of snow
- Stone shelter
- View back to Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach from the slopes of Sgurr Mor
- Toward Meall Gorm from the slopes of Sgurr Mor
- Heading up Sgurr Mor
The snow on Sgurr Mor was a bit of a pain lower down. All a bit wet and soft. What with the soft ground underneath I was slipping and sliding up a fairly steep slope, so using more energy than I had expected. I was doing this walk off the back of a bout of “man flu” which had actually resulted in a very rare occurrence for me – a day’s sick leave. So I was coughing and wheezing my way up the side of Sgurr Mor at this point, contemplating calling it a day after just the two hills. Things improved nearer the top though, where the snow was compacted nicely making for good walking
The summit of the hill soon put paid to such ideas of stopping at two though
Enthusiasm and energy soon returned when the views opened up before me
An Teallach
What a beast
What a view
- An Teallach from Sgurr Mor
- Sgurr Mor summit cairn
And then there were the Western Fannaichs
They looked inspiring too
- Sgurr nan Clach Geala from Sgurr Mor
And then the view along the rest of the route toward Meall Gorm and An Coileachan
- Toward Meall Gorm and An Coileachan from Sgurr Mor
Decision made, I was going to continue. And I’m glad I did too. Once on the ridge it’s just a lovely stroll along to the third summit of the day, Meall Gorm
Views were still hazy, but the views close around me were excellent, with good views to the Western Fanaichs, back to Sgur Mor and Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach.
- Toward Meall Gorm
- Loch an Fhuar Thuill Mhoir - a rather long name for such a small locan
- Looking back to Sgurr Mor as I strolled my way to Meall Gorm
Can’t say the Meall Gorm summit set my heart on fire though
Something of an anti-climax if ever there was one. A bit of a poky cairn and, perhaps due to the haze, the views weren’t that great to my eyes.
- Meall Gorm summit. A poor show for a summit cairn. I almost missed it as I was walking along. Had to look tewice and check my map to be sure this was it!!
Still, I mustn’t grumble
At least I had views. It was a bit chilly on this summit so I was soon heading for Munro number four for the day – An Coileachan.
- Can't resist another view back to Sgurr Mor. Once seen it dominates the views
En route I met the only person I’d met all day. We’d met initially on Sgurr Mor, which has surprised us both as we hadn’t seen or heard a soul before then. He had been descending that hill as I was arriving at its summit. We’d had a chat then and had another brief chinwag on our second meeting before I headed off on the final pull of the day.
- Almost at the last summit of the day
I’m not sure if there is a path up this one, but I wasn’t on one. It was a case of making as direct a line as I could up to the summit. Not difficult, but it did involve a fair bit of boulder hopping and by now I was beginning to feel it. So it was some relief to spy the summit Tor, and as I walked onto the summit cairn. A lesson to Meall Gorm if ever there was one on what a summit cairn should actually look like
- An Coileachan summit cairn. Take note Meall Gorm, this is what a summit cairn should look like!
I spent a short while on this summit, sussing out the best plan of attack for my return route. I had a feeling it was going to be boggy
I wasn’t to be disappointed
The actual descent wasn’t difficult, but without a path it was a case of picking my down through rocks and peat hags. So slow going at times. Still, it was a nice view of Loch Gorm
- Loch Gorm and the route home (to the right of the view)
Eventually as I lost height I spied a path ahead of me, so made a beeline for it (well as much of a beeline as I could over the hag
). This path sped up progress, until it either disappeared or, as is more than likely, I lost it
At which point it was back to bog and peat hag.
- Just a final look back at Sgurr Mor
Eventually I thought it best to cross the Abhainn a Ghiubhais Li in order to be better placed to rejoin the original path back out. So I found a suitable spot and adopted my usual river crossing style, which is to just go for it and march across. If I slip then I hope that momentum will get me across before I get too wet. It didn’t quite work this time, as the river was deeper than I had expected. The result was a couple of lovely wet feet
A few minutes later and I discover a footbridge over the water
Now that would have saved my feet
Not so much fun though I thought
So, with squelching boots it was on with the bog trot back to the car. It seemed to take longer than the walk in, but eventually I was back at the car.......where I discovered the sign post to the less boggy walk in
- And a final look back to Meall Gorm. How the weather had improved from the start of the day!
All that was left after a great day in the Fannaichs was the long drive home, where I could plan for the following weekend when MrsR was away and I was going to have the freedom of the Highlands
