Life in the Freezer - Glen Dessarry episode three.
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:05 pmAfter a convivial Saturday evening in A'Chuil (viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2813) everyone was up fairly early with a variety of plans. I was to cycle back to Strathan and head up the pair of Corbetts Fraoch Bheinn and Sgurr Mhurlagain. First problem was a frozen bike 
The brakes gradually started to work over the first kilometer - just as well it wasn't downhill 
I was able to get the front derailler to work (a bit) so had, at least, a couple of gears to choose from. Given the circumstances I took things easy and didn't start walking until half nine.
The track across to Kinbreak is signposted on the west side of the Dearg Allt - the 1:25000 correctly shows it climbing up to 320m then heading east to cross the stream. Where it turned east I headed off up the south ridge of Fraoch Bheinn seen on the right of this photo taken from Carn Mor a couple of days before. It gave a pleasant easy ascent of the hill.
Compare that picture with the following ones taken on my way up the ridge and you'll see how the frost had taken hold during my stay.
The deer in this area definitely like having their photo taken
At the summit it was overcast so the views were a bit disappointing. Ladhar Bheinn was looking good however
A bit of thought was needed to find a descent route to the col below Sgurr Mhurlagain. The whole east side of Fraoch Bheinn is steep and deserves respect! The nicest route would definitely involve the ridge heading north to Bidean Mhic Iain Ghlais mentioned by malky_c in his report. The direct descent east from the summit looked seriously steep and I decided to head back down the South ridge a bit and find a way down once the angle had eased off a touch. I left the ridge once I got to the level part seen left of centre in the next photo. I still had to wander back and forth a bit to find a suitable route - mainly down steep grass. I don't think MC would have appreciated the route
There are easier alternatives if you descend further down the south ridge before heading back across to the col.
During the descent I'd been eyeing up the much easier slopes of Sgurr Mhurlagain and I was soon approaching this second Corbett of the day.
The north side is rather wilder and it was a surprise to see the cairn nicely perched on top of a set of crags.
The clouds had largely disappeared and a huge array of peaks was again visible. Another day to lie back and enjoy the view
Eventually it was time to head back to the frosty world far below.
Back at the col the sun was low and producing some lovely warm light. Here's the view north.
Eventually the sun disappeared behind Sgurr Thuilm but by then I was almost back at the (still frozen) bike for the cycle back to A'Chuil.
My companions of the previous night had kindly left some coal behind so a good fire was soon going. Just the thing to warm the bottle of claret I'd picked up from the car on the way back - I'd almost forgotten it was there!
I had the place to myself and woke about half six the following morning. I poked my head out of the door to be greeted by some very light flurries of snow and sleet descending. The fog had cleared but I could tell clouds were gathering on the peaks. I hadn't heard a forecast for a while so had to assume the worst. The possibility of a dump of snow with me stuck at the end of the last road in Scotland that would ever see a snow plough was not a pleasant prospect
I packed swiftly, gave the bothy a quick clean, and cycled out by torchlight to find that my car was the last one left at the road end. Did others know something I didn't
As it turned out nothing too bad was on the way and by the back of nine I'd made my return to civilisation - or the Little Chef in Spean Bridge at least - for breakfast
A great few days
The brakes gradually started to work over the first kilometer - just as well it wasn't downhill I was able to get the front derailler to work (a bit) so had, at least, a couple of gears to choose from. Given the circumstances I took things easy and didn't start walking until half nine.The track across to Kinbreak is signposted on the west side of the Dearg Allt - the 1:25000 correctly shows it climbing up to 320m then heading east to cross the stream. Where it turned east I headed off up the south ridge of Fraoch Bheinn seen on the right of this photo taken from Carn Mor a couple of days before. It gave a pleasant easy ascent of the hill.
Compare that picture with the following ones taken on my way up the ridge and you'll see how the frost had taken hold during my stay.
The deer in this area definitely like having their photo taken
At the summit it was overcast so the views were a bit disappointing. Ladhar Bheinn was looking good however
A bit of thought was needed to find a descent route to the col below Sgurr Mhurlagain. The whole east side of Fraoch Bheinn is steep and deserves respect! The nicest route would definitely involve the ridge heading north to Bidean Mhic Iain Ghlais mentioned by malky_c in his report. The direct descent east from the summit looked seriously steep and I decided to head back down the South ridge a bit and find a way down once the angle had eased off a touch. I left the ridge once I got to the level part seen left of centre in the next photo. I still had to wander back and forth a bit to find a suitable route - mainly down steep grass. I don't think MC would have appreciated the route
There are easier alternatives if you descend further down the south ridge before heading back across to the col. 
During the descent I'd been eyeing up the much easier slopes of Sgurr Mhurlagain and I was soon approaching this second Corbett of the day.
The north side is rather wilder and it was a surprise to see the cairn nicely perched on top of a set of crags.
The clouds had largely disappeared and a huge array of peaks was again visible. Another day to lie back and enjoy the view
Eventually it was time to head back to the frosty world far below.
Eventually the sun disappeared behind Sgurr Thuilm but by then I was almost back at the (still frozen) bike for the cycle back to A'Chuil.
My companions of the previous night had kindly left some coal behind so a good fire was soon going. Just the thing to warm the bottle of claret I'd picked up from the car on the way back - I'd almost forgotten it was there!
I had the place to myself and woke about half six the following morning. I poked my head out of the door to be greeted by some very light flurries of snow and sleet descending. The fog had cleared but I could tell clouds were gathering on the peaks. I hadn't heard a forecast for a while so had to assume the worst. The possibility of a dump of snow with me stuck at the end of the last road in Scotland that would ever see a snow plough was not a pleasant prospect
I packed swiftly, gave the bothy a quick clean, and cycled out by torchlight to find that my car was the last one left at the road end. Did others know something I didn't
As it turned out nothing too bad was on the way and by the back of nine I'd made my return to civilisation - or the Little Chef in Spean Bridge at least - for breakfast
A great few days