Walkhighlands

Several false starts at the Fannaichs for me... But not to worry; I had a feeling I was going to like these hills; the wilderness appealed; and so I didn't mind waiting for some good weather... Was it special; was it ever...

A shout out to Willie Duncan (Gamy Leg Walker) for this first shot; but it sums up perfectly how I feel this week...



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...



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...



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...



Behind me; and the sun creeps over the mountain ridges to come later in the day...



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...



At the summit of Toman Coinich and it's just getting better and better...



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...



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...







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...







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...





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!!





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!!



There are massive cornices on the short westerly traverse along the ridge to the summit and again I give them a respectful berth...



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...



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...



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...

An excellent read Andrew with some lovely photos. Not long to go now

Well done Andrew.

Hope your leaving a nice easy walk to finish on

i reet enjoyed that ..good work

Not often 5 fannies are so willing to be taken by one guy all in one day Excellent report and great photos!

Wow, what a day!! Loved the report and those fantastic, stunning photos

You'll soon have them all finished

Lenore wrote:Not often 5 fannies are so willing to be taken by one guy all in one day

Not so if go 'doon e docks' in Aiiiberdeen at least thats what I've been told

On a serious note, what a great walk that looked, not sure if you're in a Mercedes Car Club or anything but you should submit that photo if they have a monthly competition- stunning

Wow! That looks like a perfect day.

Seriously uplifting Andrew - great stuff

All those Fannies and not a single can of Irn Bru in any of the photos.

Excellent, well done Andrew. You saved it for the right time and the weather was.....well, just perfect!

Another magic report and pic's...

Stunning

Good to see you getting ever closer - and still putting out great reports.

OD

The end is near now Andrew,looking forward to reading your TRs as you near the end.