An Teallach - my mountain! :)
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:51 pmIn the middle of a fantastic week away in the hills, I passed on a day of rest and decided this was a good day for the much talked about An Teallach 
The car park at Dundonnell was already full when I got there so I parked on the verge just at the start of the track. Slightly wary about this, but by the time I was setting off to walk another 2 cars had joined mine.
A clear path from the road, I was merrily walking up still undecided about whether I'd go over the pinnacles and finish with a road walk (given I'd already done a lot of walking this week!). Fairly soon I came to a short rock climb where I met a couple wondering if I knew where I was going
We checked maps and co-ordinates on the GPS and realised we weren't actually on the zig-zag path described. 
Although the described route says better to keep to the old path (less boggy but also good views) rather than the new one that follows the river, this is easily missed... needs a right turn off what seems like the main path, although it is marked with cairns (didn't see them on the first passing!). It was only a short walk back from where we were at this point so we picked up the old path (easily seen when looking down) and I had the pleasure of company of the lovely Gill and Tony for the rest of the day 
Still very flattered to be 'guide' for the day 
and most impressed this was their first munros! 
First summit reached and my new friends are munroists! 
At this point I decided I would return by the same route after the next top and leave the pinnacles for another trip. Didn't want to push it so much that I wouldn't manage tomorrow's walk 
Coming down we took the newer path along Allt a Mhuillin (wasn't too boggy, only in patches) and spotted a few deer on the hillside. They were fairly close and didn't run as we passed by. An excellent day, finished off with a drive along to watch the dolphins playing in Little Loch Broom
The car park at Dundonnell was already full when I got there so I parked on the verge just at the start of the track. Slightly wary about this, but by the time I was setting off to walk another 2 cars had joined mine.A clear path from the road, I was merrily walking up still undecided about whether I'd go over the pinnacles and finish with a road walk (given I'd already done a lot of walking this week!). Fairly soon I came to a short rock climb where I met a couple wondering if I knew where I was going
We checked maps and co-ordinates on the GPS and realised we weren't actually on the zig-zag path described. Although the described route says better to keep to the old path (less boggy but also good views) rather than the new one that follows the river, this is easily missed... needs a right turn off what seems like the main path, although it is marked with cairns (didn't see them on the first passing!). It was only a short walk back from where we were at this point so we picked up the old path (easily seen when looking down) and I had the pleasure of company of the lovely Gill and Tony for the rest of the day Still very flattered to be 'guide' for the day and most impressed this was their first munros! - Little Loch Broom to Summer Isles
- rounding Coir a'Mhuillin, first summit in sight
- climb up Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill - hard to spot, but there is a path!
- looking back (excuse for a rest on the climb!)
- summit view to Sgurr Fiona :)
- Toll an Lochain
At this point I decided I would return by the same route after the next top and leave the pinnacles for another trip. Didn't want to push it so much that I wouldn't manage tomorrow's walk - choice of path up Sgurr Fiona - we followed the ridge
- near the top, path makes a sharp left turn - causing sharp intake of breath!
- not hanging on for dear life, but hugs for my namesake! :D
- Loch na Sealga and Beinn Dearg Mor
- took lower path down Sgurr Fiona and cut across the rocks to miss going back over the first summit
- off the tops, looking back to see clouds coming down - nice timing!
