A shout out to Willie Duncan (Gamy Leg Walker) for this first shot; but it sums up perfectly how I feel this week...
- The Mountains are Calling...
The alarm blasts my ears at 04:00 and I'm off by 04:15 having packed the night before... Just time to make a quick coffee to aid the long 200 mile drive to the off... I arrive just as pink hues start to fill the sky with the impending sunrise... The weather is perfect; and somehow I just know this is going to be a belter...
- A 200 mile drive; and I'm ready; An Teallach the backdrop...
The start is easy enough; a downhill stroll to Loch a'Bhraoin along a good track... It's cold so the gloves and hat are on... As the sun rises the mountains in the distance turn pink... Fair to say I'm excited...
- Pink Hues as the Sun Rises...
I make fairly short work of the initial ascent to the Druim Reidh Ridge... It's steep but there's nothing uncomfortable and it's below the snow line; though there's ice about so I take care... At the top I stop to take a photo looking toward An Teallach... It's an iconic mountain and the skies are crystal clear with perfect visibility...
- Looking toward An Teallach from Druim Reidh...
Behind me; and the sun creeps over the mountain ridges to come later in the day...
- Sun Up...
I choose to stay on the main ridge and ascend Toman Coinich; it involves an extra 100 metres of ascent or so as there is a path to west side of the ridge that goes directly to the beallach between Toman Coinich and A'Chailleach but I'm above the snow line and don't fancy a long side traverse... The gradient is gentle enough and I'm soon at the summit...
- Looking across to A'Chailleach from Druim Reidh
At the summit of Toman Coinich and it's just getting better and better...
- View from Toman Coinich
I ditch the pack as I'll have to return this way but take my crampons as I'm not sure whether I'll need them... As it turns out the ascent is not too steep and the snow not too firm that I can't get grip so I'm fine...
- The Ascent of A'Chailleach...
I'm at the summit of A'Chailleach in no time and the views are to die for... Open expanse of wilderness with views to Torridon; The Fisherfield Forest; and of course An Teallach... I can make out all of the mountains individually; the air is crisp and there's not a breath of wind...
- View toward the Fisherfield Forest from the Summit of A'Chailleach
- Me on the Summit of A'Chailleach
- Gorgeous Views...
I retrace my steps; grab some breakfast; and take on some fluids... I'm sweating and it's not cold... The ascent of Sgurr Breac is straightforward and I'm there in no time... The summit flattens into a mini plateau; and just before the summit there are cornices off to the North. I stay well clear of them...
- Nearing the Summit of Sgurr Breac
- Looking Back...
- Snow..
The ridge descends at a fairly gentle gradient to the east of Sgur Breac though the snow is a little firmer; but still no need for crampons... At the beallach I disturb a herd of about 7 deer and they scramble off to the south... The ascent to the beallach between Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr nan Each is pathless but it's only 250 metres or so and I make short work of it...
- The Summit Ridge of Sgurr nan Each...
- Looking Toward Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr Mor...
I ditch the pack in the beallach and head up Sgurr nan Each which doesn't take long... Again there are cornices; this time to the East so I give them a wide berth; don't need to be falling off the edge!!
- The Summit of Sgurr nan Each...
- Looking Back at Sgurr nan Each on the Ascent of Sgurr nan Clach Geala...
I start the ascent of Sgurr nan Clach Gealaand I'm soon donning crampons for this ascent... The snow is firm; it's not too steep but better safe than sorry I'm thinking as I zig zag my way up to the summit ridge... It's hot work; still not a breath of wind and I'm in just a T-Shirt now - in February - at 1000 metres up!!
- Views on the Ascent of Sgurr nan Clach Geala...
There are massive cornices on the short westerly traverse along the ridge to the summit and again I give them a respectful berth...
- Cornices on the Summit Ridge of Sgurr nan Clach Geala...
The descent to the north of Sgurr nan Clach Geala is horrible; there are cornices off to the east; it's steep to the west and the snow in the shade... Each step knock ice and snow down the western slopes and there are some hollow crunching sounds in places that are making me more than a little nervous... I'm more than a little thankful to reach the beallach that separates Sgurr nan Clach Geala; Meall a'Chrasgaidh; and the ascent toward Sgurr Mor...
It's 13:00... I've made good time and I ponder here for a long time... Do I do the 9? Or 7? My mind keeps changing it's mind and my tracks reflect this... In the end I decide I don't want to be knackard at the end of the day; it's a long hoof back along the road and I want to remember today as something special; which it has been...
- Looking back at Sgurr Breach and A'Chailleach from the Ice Field...
It's a short pull up to the summit of Meall a'Chrasgaidh and I spend a fair amount of time at the top just taking in the views which are breath taking in all directions...
- View from the Summit of Meall a'Chrasgaidh...
I then descend WNW gently at first but steeping after a kilometre or so; cross the river; and after one last wristful look back; head on back to the car... It's been a sensational day in the hills; I've not seen a soul all day; and I've answered... The call of the Mountains...
- Looking Back at Meall a'Chrasgaidh and Sgurr nan Clach Geala from the River Crossing...
- The Stats...
at least thats what I've been told 
