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The Fannichs then on to Poolewe

PostPosted: Fri May 24, 2013 2:14 pm
by dunrig
Mad bagging fell runner Ronald Turnbill has a great coast to coast route over munros in this area.
Day1 Evanton - Ben Wyvis - Aultguish Innn
Day2 Aultguish -The Fannichs- Lochviraon bothy
Day3 Lochviraon - Fisherfield hills - Poolewe
no tent needed - mine is just a shadow of his, as much as an over 50, unfit, half hearted bagger could manage.

On saturday caught the train Inverness then bus to Altguish Inn. Booked into the bunkhouse, enjoyed a meal while resisting the temptation of beer.
On sunday waddled along the road next to Loch Glascarnoch, turned up Beinn Liath Mhor a'Ghuibhais li, after the first 50m could see nothing in the mist, it was a slow plod to the top then back to my natural habitat as I roughly navigated across pathless boggy moorland to Loch Gorm. Sitting down for a rest my heart lifted as the sun came out, spent the next few hours bagging munros for my hills climbed alone by public transport list. Tired by the time I passed Carn na Crich camped at 900m by a snow patch could collect the next 5 tomorrow. Met nobody all day.
On monday woke in the mist-visibility nil- scared I wouln't find my pack again had to haul it up and back from Meal a' Chrasgaidh. About 1000m mark on Sgurr nan Clach Geala came across a snow patch with a cornice on one side and step drop off on the other. The snow was soft but there was ice underneath in places probably where the path is, unnerving when you can't see, my ice axe gave me security for the next 5mins - didn't need it again. Left pack this time on path to Sgurr nan Each, flew up and down, by now the wind had got up it was raining and I still couldn't see anything so coming down to Allt Leac a Bhealaich decided to camp. It was only about 1pm, had biscuits, cheese , coffee and read my book as it rained on and off. The clag lifted briefly for a view down to Loch Fannich, met nobody all day - bit birdsong for company.
On Tues the clag was still down when I woke a bit more wind as well, ach just got to get on with it. At least on the munros you can usually find a path saving constant concentration on navigation. Even in the wind and rain there is a womb like comfort in the claustrophobia of constant grey nothing.Though by the time I came down the slopes from A'Chaillaich towards Loch a' Bhraoin had had enough - no more cairns in the mist, decided on a wander out to Poolewe. There was a school party occupying Lochvraon bothy though I didn't see them. As if to tempt me Sgurr Dubh appeared briefly down the glen - not for long. Walked along track then turned over Bealach na Croise and down to Lochan Fada. Then a delightful walk along it stopping at all the sandy coves. Camped at the end of the Lochan a great setting hemmed in by the pinnacles of Beinn Lair/Sgurr Dubh and steep side of Beinn Tharsuinn Chaol. Only met a welsh party of 3 coming off the Fisherfield hills down to their camp near Loch an Nid. Startled an eagle as I came over Toman Coinnich.It was a cold night.
On wed woke to hail but there was a bit of blue sky, this was the weather pattern all day. A really enjoyable walk out especially the view of Fionn Loch and hills as I came over Bealach a Chuirn. The best of Lewisian Gneiss: Haston, Smith, Cunningham, Carrington and the rest have all climbed around here. Met a nice man named Bob who was mopping up his last few munros, wished him well and carried on to Poolewe. Enjoyed a meal and beer this time in the pub and spent a stormy night at the campsite.The hills were covered in snow when I caught the 8am bus back to Inverness the next morning.
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sun morning
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loch gorm as mist rises
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going
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can see way forward
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sun night
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brief view to beinn dearg i think
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only time needed axe
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tues morning
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bothy& loch a braoin
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oops
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temptation
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lochan fada
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hills at end lochan
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resting
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nearly there
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tues night
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wed morning looking back
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fionn loch
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looking back
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loch kernasary& beinn airigh charr
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poolewe

Re: The Fannichs then on to Poolewe

PostPosted: Fri May 24, 2013 4:30 pm
by LeithySuburbs
Love those pics and report :D . But, should you not rename the "sun morning" photo :wink: ?