12 In Chisholm Country - The Mullachdoch Round

[Collaciotach]

Dúthaich Siosealach .... The Chief of the tribe of Chisholm was known as "The Chisholm" which gave rise to the saying ‘that there were but three persons in the world entitled to be called "The" – The King, The Pope and The Chisholm.

I arrived in Glen Cannich late evening on Thursday night to meet a friend and over three days tackle the famous "Mullardoch round" .

Feasgar boidheachd agus solas breagha

Carn na Gobhair

We had planned to go anti clock and after a good but cold night at the head of the dam we woke to a frost ..... looked a promising day

Eirigh na greine Gleann Ceannaich

We set off along the track my pack weighed in at around 20Kilo ...well maybe a wee bit more if I include the cans of Lager !

The track is clear enough and the reflection on the water was bonnie

Dealbh Sgathain (Looking Glass)

I walk for a few reason's one being to maintain and increase my connection to my culture and the Gaidhealtachd , I never forget my race were here first and that they knew and named every part of this country.

Carn Siosealach

At a slow gait we wandered along the track before heading up the hill toward Carn na Gobhair , all very straightforward and a wee bit tiring with the heavy packs. There was a lot of snow ree in the Coire and it did cross our mind that could be an issue with no axe or spikes

We made the first summit in around 3hrs .....good visibility.

Lochan

With a long day ahead a quick shift down to the Bealach for the ascent of Sgurr na Lapaich the first of many ,many ups n downs .

Bealach

We needed a wee bit care on the snow field onto Sgurr na Lapaich summit and boy felling the weight of the pack for the first time

Sneachd

A'dhaithgearr air a mhullach .... soon on the summit

Sgurr na Lapaich (No2)

A cold wind drove us not to hang around to long , good views out to Lurg Mhor and over to Strathfarrar

Lurg Mhor

Strathfarrar

The route ahead was now clear, it is a challenge and we were up and down like a lady of the nights knickers for the few hours

An slighe

You lose a lot of height at times and with a heavy pack it makes for hard going and it was a relief to reach An Riabhach ..even for An Cu

An Cu

It is an easy route in clear conditions and around 9hrs saw us on An Socach the final summit of the day ,good views here out West ....

An Iar

We took the ridge down the Meall Suas heading for camp at the head of the Loch beside the ruined home it was grand to arrive on the floor of the Glen ....... a long but satisfying day

An Garraidh

Campa

Dol fodha na Greine agus Beinn Fhionnlaigh

Two cans of lager with a dram for dinner ,really must lose more weight

DAY TWO

A comfortable night and up and off at 7.30am ,we followed the Argo tracks up into the Coire before striking the ridge onto Muallach na Dhieragain

Again nothing difficult just stamina required ! not as good a day as Friday still dry and clear we made decent time over No5 and onto Torr na Con Dubh before the Druim of Sgurr nam Ceathreamhan

Mullach na Dheiragain

Air Ciuil

A rest here and reached at midday so a break and an assessment of the rest of the route ..boy tis a long way and again a lot of up and down .

We were on An Socach for around 2pm

An Socach

We had decided that the target was to be at least Carn Eige today and were well on time but the weather was drawing in a bit by the time we reached Mam Sabhal so we made the decision to bypass Carn Eige camp on the Bealach Bheag climbing Beinn Fhionnlaigh in the evening after pitching the tents leaving Carn Eige ,Tom a Choinnich and Toll Creagean for Sunday which we suspected would be a poor day.

Mam Sabhal

Bealach Bheag

Turned out a wise decision we pitched on the Bealach and went over Fhionnlaigh just as the rain came on back down and in the tent for 9pm ..... a windy and wet night

but we survived

DAY 3

The next morning wet and damp we left for Carn Eige at 7am the rest of the day was tolerable wet ,no views ,a long slog and navigation required but all went well and again no major issues other than sore feet and tiredness we finally came out the cloud and down to the cars at 2.30pm.

A total of 30hrs walking over the three days and a good challenge even for An Cu who has spent all Monday resting

Advice for this round ? .... do it in early Summer when the snow has almost gone , its no to hot ,water is plentiful and the midgies still dormant

Could be a bit of a nightmare otherwise

Deisel

.

[AnnieMacD]

Wow, that quite a three days in the hills No wonder An Cù is tired. It must be very satisfying to have ticked off so many hills in such a shore time. I'm full of admiration.

[rockhopper]

Cracking stuff, Colla - it's a great round and one to be enjoyed over 2-3 days Had the same issues as you approaching Sgurr na Lapaich with snow up high at the start of June last year.
The weather on Saturday certainly changed quickly but fortunately a bit later than forecast in the north west. Well done - an enjoyable read as ever - cheers

[CharlesT]

Good report Collaciotach and great photos. Very helpful to me as I have this round on my list for later this month. Good to see I wont need my spiky kit. Enough to carry as it is! Looks like a two-nighter as you did.

BTW, not wishing in any way to challenge your knowledge, but I worked for a while with the heir to the Moncrieff title and always understood that he would be known as The Moncrieff when he succeeded. Am I wrong?

Also, that's a fine looking dog you have there.

[pigeon]

Take my hat off to anyone who can carry the full kit round these hills ,well done Colla

[Collaciotach]

Take my hat off to anyone who can carry the full kit round these hills ,well done Colla

Cheers Pigeon she is a tough round indeed

[Collaciotach]

Good report Collaciotach and great photos. Very helpful to me as I have this round on my list for later this month. Good to see I wont need my spiky kit. Enough to carry as it is! Looks like a two-nighter as you did.

BTW, not wishing in any way to challenge your knowledge, but I worked for a while with the heir to the Moncrieff title and always understood that he would be known as The Moncrieff when he succeeded. Am I wrong?

Also, that's a fine looking dog you have there.

Thanks Charles a good round be wary of water needs as you go ,some stretches have little running water so a drop down or wee lochan's /pool's and a need to boil

Moncrieff of that Ilk is not in the same league as "The Chisholm" of old

[Collaciotach]

Cracking stuff, Colla - it's a great round and one to be enjoyed over 2-3 days Had the same issues as you approaching Sgurr na Lapaich with snow up high at the start of June last year.
The weather on Saturday certainly changed quickly but fortunately a bit later than forecast in the north west. Well done - an enjoyable read as ever - cheers

Aye RH anyone who does it quick is missing out best to enjoy

[Collaciotach]

Wow, that quite a three days in the hills No wonder An Cù is tired. It must be very satisfying to have ticked off so many hills in such a shore time. I'm full of admiration.

Moran Taing a 'cailleach ...... he is starting to perk up again

[scottishkennyg]

Superb outing there CC and some top images..

[dogplodder]

As a Chisholm on my mother's side I enjoyed that! And I love your dog. What breed is he - or is he of uncertain parentage?

[robertphillips]

well done colla great round there.

[malky_c]

Great circuit, and (mostly) good weather . One day I'll get round to this.

[Collaciotach]

Superb outing there CC and some top images..

Cheers Kenny

[Collaciotach]

Great circuit, and (mostly) good weather . One day I'll get round to this.

Only disappointment was no high camp sunset /rise ...still I ll take what I got

A definite Malky take you time when you do