A nice pair of Kintail Corbetts

[weaselmaster]

Day three of the holiday and I'm enjoying the ability to just open the door and go for a walk up some hills without having to drive anywhere - great! Today's forecast was considered to be a bit better than yesterday's, but I'm leaving the "big hills" for when I've got company, so it was off corbetting for me instead. Sguman Coinntich is only a few km from the house and it seemed churlish not to tag Faochaig on as well, so that was me all set. Walked up the road from the house in Camasluinie towards Killilian noting that the river Elchaig had risen considerably since yesterday - glad I wasn't having to do a paddle-crossing today.

Coinntich across river elchaig


P1020830 by 23weasels, on Flickr

It was looking like a nice morning, birds singing from the hedgerows, views up to SC across the river with tufts of cloud on top.

Carnan Cruithneachd

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Over the bridge and into Killilian estate which looked very pretty in summer greenery, phone box and letter box shining red against the verdant surrounds.

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Through the gate after the community hall and up alongside the briskly flowing stream.


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After some muddy sevtions, a more robust path is reached and the "black tongue" - teanga dhubh was visible ahead, with a torrent flowing that needed to be crossed. This proved a little tricky given the speed of the waterflow and the fact that the rocks in the stream were all just that little bit further apart than made for a straightforward crossing. I hummed and hawed for a bit trying to choose the best bit to cross, whilst the stream tried to get into my boots, then leap - over safe.
The next section was a marshy slog up the black tongue and onto the slopes of SC itself.


P1020839 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Today seemed to be a day for faffing about - on with the waterproofs, off with them, check the map, get something to snack on - it was worse than being with Allison I eventually gained height and could see the rounded upper story of SC come into view. Following streams uphill, dislodging frogs, I slowly made headway.

P1020842 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Good views back over loch long and loch alsh, with the Skye Cuillin just visible through clouds.

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The villages of Killilian and Sallachy looked peaceful as the river wended its way past them. getting closer to the top of SC the weather closed in with a burst of real rain that made me have to put my waterproof trousers on thinking I was in for a long downpour - of course by the time I'd done so the rain was slackening and stopped not long after. Anyway, it provided protection against the snell wind whipping against me. Ahead several rocky crests reared up out of the mist, one presumably being the summit.

P1020843 by 23weasels, on Flickr


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All looked a bit threatening in their partly seen state. In a matter of minutes the mist cleared and I could spy the trig point beside the highest crest ahead.

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Making my way over to it I was puzzled to see that the trig stood on 4 wiry legs, as if mountain mice had nibbled away the substance of its body. Very odd.


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There were partly clouded views up to Torridon and I thought this would make a fine viewpoint on a clear day. I set off along the ridge, over a wet plateau which slowly became more rocky then gradually descended overlooking a couple of cracking coires.


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Off in the distance was the incredible pointy Bidean an choire heasgairneash in Torridon - looked amazing.

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Made it to a rock-crowned hilltop and stopped here for some lunch in a brief window of almost sunny weather and watched the shadows of the clouds caressing the hillsides. Life is good!


P1020858 by 23weasels, on Flickr


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Over to the east I could see the Mullardoch hills


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and to the northeast i could see my next target, Foachaig - "the whelk" retiring greenly into the background.


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Looking back at Sguman Coinntich


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Mullardoch - sgurr nan ceathreamhean


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Walked over what remained of Killilian Forest (clue - not a lot) and up to Sron na Gaoithe. I could see, from this angle, the flanks of Faochaig and a deep valley between where I was and where I wanted to go...dismay until I realised the route took me round the coire edge and therefore didn't drop that much heightwise.

Faochaig

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Sguman Coinntich from Faochaig


P1020866 by 23weasels, on Flickr

The slopes of Faochaig were wet but fairly gentle and got up to the summit without any great effort. Had a look around at the cairn but clouds cut down most of the viewpoints. Did see a fairly spectacular lengthy waterfall over to the south.


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The descent route was laid out before me - follow the stream down towards a gash in the hillside where presumably yet another waterfall made its way downwards.


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Such an enjoyable afternoon wandering around with wildness oozing from all around - no sight nor sound of humanity, only the skirling of waterfalls and streams disappearing into holes in the ground, birdsong and the whisper - sometimes whistle - of the wind. Sun was coming out now and it was off with the skins yet again. After following the stream for a while a more definate track appears which heads off to the left away from the stream and courses down the hillside towards Carnach. As I descended the sight of the waterfall was joined by Loch na Leitreach on my right.


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When i reached the lochside, yesterday's hill (carnan cruithneachd) was the focal point up ahead, looming dramatically above the water.


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View along Elchaig Valley


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After all the wildness of the hillsides, it was actually good to meet a firm and dry track for the 9 or so remaining kilometres home. Passed some men filling in holes in the track, presumably in time for the shooting season, and was passed by a bloke on a bike who lookied like he'd been away hillwalking somewhere, or maybe he'd been to visit the falls of Glomach which can also be accessed from Carnach. What a grand day out - despite the showers and changeability of the weather it had been a superb walk


P1020884 by 23weasels, on Flickr

[battie72]

Today seemed to be a day for faffing about - on with the waterproofs, off with them, check the map, get something to snack on - it was worse than being with Allison

Watch it buddy!!!