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I had intended to do the Northern four munros on Wednesday and Thursday but some family errands got in the way. Hey ho, the hills aren't going anywhere. It did leave me with one free day though and a high pressure sitting over the country. Plan B.
The forecast was best first thing in the morning so the plan was Sgurr a' Mhaoraich(my priority) first then Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich.
I set off at 0800hrs and the heat was already building, "great" most people would say! I'm fussy, I like snow and cooler temperatures, ah well!
I took a direct line short cut straight up to the pylons and then followed the ridge up. The path had the feel of the tourist route at Ben Lomond (that sort of incline) but with better views. I was trying to regulate my pace as when I walk solo I set off to fast and suffer later, but I'm learning these days, easy pace! Eh no, sweat was streaming off me and I was at the summit in under 2 hours. I hoped this was just an easy ascent and I wasn't going to suffer later!
Anyhoo, the views....they are ok, worth a bit of sweat. The weather was fantastic! Loch Hourn and Knoydart looks amazing!
I popped down to Sgurr a' Mhaoraich Beag
I sat about open jawed for a while. My plan was rubbish, I should have allowed more time to sit here, I sat about for about an hour anyway!
Anyhoo, onwards, I popped down via the next ridge to make the route circular.
To be honest I was thinking that didn't add much to the route, until I found the waterfall! Wow!
I like waterfalls! I will go for a paddle there next time, when I've not got two more hills to pop over. The waterfall is a must see.
I was back at the car 4.5 hours later.
I had a few issues though. My feet were boiling, I'd gotten too sweaty and the combination of the two pairs of socks that I wear to protect the soles of my feet, the ankle braces and goretex boots had caused a nasty sweat rash. The next two hills would have to be done with only one pair of socks and no ankle protection. That made me nervous.
A quick bite to eat and I was off again, I felt drained, heat isn't my friend, this was going to be tough. The path is good/obvious until you reach the 600+m hillock then it is just upwards and onwards. The heat was baking me, sapping my energy.
It was head down and press on.
I found a seat that nature had provided...
with a nice view!
The summit of Spidean Mialach was reached 1.75hours after setting off.
The views of Loch Quoich and beyond were sweeeeeet!
On the bright side my feet felt okay but I'd have to be careful with my glass ankles and no one else in sight.
The negative part was that I felt burst in the baking heat. Joy!
I dawdled on towards Gleouraich...pace myself, pace myself, no real rush....apart from the 4 hour drive home!
The route over is fairly obvious and straight forward, thankfully.
I got to the bealach and had do decide whether to continue....leave this and do it with Sgurr a' Mhaoraich (again) or press on? I'm stubborn fool...onwards! For the first time in years I had to stop and take breathers on the ascent (I'm not a fast walker, I'm just not one that stops), hey ho, needs must. Sweat was running off me. Then the cloud covered the sun, ahhhhhhhh bliss! Someone was looking after me! I eased the pace right back and the temperature dropped, I was still struggling but I was less worried now, allbiet my knee was unusually twinging now. I was grateful for the views, in my opinion, I've yet to see a better part of Scotland. I reach the lower top of Gleouraich and my heart sinks...it looks a fair trek yet. I knew it was there but my mind had blocked it out! Doh!
Then there was a nice wee breeze that started blowing over the remains of the cornices......ah bliss! My guardian looking after me again.
I trundled on, taking in the views contemplating th events over the last hour or so.
I sould say at this time, I'm not a religous person or a believer in the supernatural but what followed can only be descibed as odd... My ipod was on random and as I reached the summit of Gleouraich (knowing that if the cloud and breeze hadn't assisted this wouldn't have been possible) aome songs came on that made me wonder....
A song by James (my dads first name)
A song by Neil Diamond (my dads most listened to artist)
For an Angel
It made me wonder, I still don't know, I never will. All I could do was tip my hat in gratitude!
Anyhoo, the views after 1.5 hours across-
The trundle down is easy at the start then woosh, straight down...squealing knee time!
The descent took 1.5 hours and even with some discomfort it was amazing, Loch Quoich is amazing!
What a day!
I took a wee dip in the Loch near the dam. Holy moley it is really cold!
I will return!
Thanks for reading!