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So this weekend was a real treat, because my dad was coming out to play
Our schedules rarely seem to match up, and he seems to repeat the phrase "I canny do these long days in the hill anymore" all too frequently.. He did have Lymes disease recenty, so I tried not to be too hard on him
We spent friday night in the van, halfway down Loch Cluanie, and after a leisurely start, we drove up to Kintail Outdoor centre in Morvich. We must of set off about 10am - no need for an early start with light on our side.
The weather wasn't superb - plenty of mist about higher up, but not actually raining, so thats the best I have seen for ages
The route took us over a private bridge, past a couple of houses, then a path was clearly marked to the Falls of Glomach. Dad felt it prudent to remind me of a much loved family dug, who met his end at the falls of glomach
But it was hard to stay down in such bonny, lush surroundings. The path was excellent - couldn't of been better. There were quite a few of these dragonflies about - really big ones
There was soon an indestinct fork in the path, we kept right, and soon found ourselves up on the hillside above a steep gorge. Steady progress was made in the fine conditions, and we soon made it up to the head of the glen, where there was a bonny waterfall, and some comfy-ish rocks to park up on while we took in the sights.
The path climbed up the head of the glen, and up to another junction where we took a right again, up toward Beinn Fhada.
- Dad surveys Glen Choinneachain
The path remained good, and every corner held new delights to feast the eyes, until at about 600m, we hit the mists, which were cold, damp and got thicker and thicker.. Fortunately, there is plenty to see that isnt the views at this time of year as all the wee alpine flowers are out. I knew my dad knows all the names of the ones I'm not sure of, so I took the opportunity to grill him! The path was very easy going, hardly felt like ascending at all. Dad moaned that the path was too good "wouldn't of been like this 40 years ago" Dont look a gift horse in the mouth is my philosophy
We eventually decided that the path wasn't going quite the right direction for the summit, so when a wee baggers path appeared on our left, we took it. There was only a wee bit of steepness, before flatter ground was gained, although it must of been a good half mile or more to the summit on ground that was sometimes rocky, sometimes boggy. I lost my GPS at one point, so had to go back for it.. Oh what a silly billy I am!
Anyway the top was reached, in thick clag.. I was a little bit disappointed - I wanted to go out along the ridge and see the fine tors and corries, but it wasn't worth it in the clag, so a trip for another day
There was an alright shelter at the summit, so we ate and chatted to a group of three guys that had followed us up before making our descent. I was still full of beans, as it really was a very easy bag imo, but my dad had really bad bother with his dodgy knee on the way down. I had hoped to do A Ghlas Bhein as well, so back down at the path junction we talked about it and Dad said I would have to do it by myself.. I was off like a rocket, not wanting him to have to spend too much time waiting for me.. I only then realised it was after 3 already, and I thought it would take me 3 hours to get up there and back to the car.
- View from bealach an sgairne
I ran up a gully toward Bealach an sgairne, and arrived hot and sweaty before realising I'd have to calm down a bit or I'd nae doubt do myself a mischief
There was a big cairn in the bealach marking the start of a rather steep eroded path, but after the initial wee bit, the path improved and I seemed to gain height quite quickly. It is a lovely lumpy, rocky ridge, with scrambly bits and undulations a plenty. I managed to make the cairn only an hour after leaving Dad - On schedule for once
There was a memorial plaque at the cairn - they seem to be getting a bit too common those - and I sat there for a few minutes enjoying the deafening silence until a raven came and spoiled it.
- View from A Ghlas Bheinn summit
I retraced my steps along the ridge for a time, then at a low point I cut off westward, in the hope of cutting some time, and giving a bit of variation. It was quite steep that way, and it was tricky to avoid all the crags in the mist, but i would definately recommend that descent to anyone who still has sound knees. It was great to get down below the clag again, and I spotted that the couple I had met at bealach an sgairne, had only just made it parralel with me across the glen, so I felt i had made good time, even though the steepness had made me slower than I would of liked.
The track through the trees on the north side of the glen was blatantly obvious - there is even a really good wooden bridge there to help you on your way.. The track was a goodie as well - lovely moss to cushion the feet and the heady aroma of bracken and pine to fill up your senses.
The track goes round in an unecessarily large loop before crossing the Abhainn Chonaig, where it was time to turn off and stick to the river until another footbridge is reached where you can recross - quite a bit of faff! The rain had come on by this point, so I tried to trot fairly quickly back to the car, where my dad said he expected me to be another hour.. so didn't need to rush after all!
Almost a perfect day if it hadn't been for a wee bit clag..
