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This is the 5km version and has to be the easiest and fastest Corbett climb ever! It took slow-coach here only 2 hours and 37 minutes of which 1 hour 45 minutes was moving time. As it's only a 20 minute drive each way for me, it wasn't even a half day jaunt.
Here's a locals' tip - there is room for parking for two cars just above the top hairpin bend on the Bealach na Ba road. This is the best starting point and you are already at 580m altitude. Then just head due E for the ridge which is only about 1km away. It's a bit rocky and a few wee boggy bits but you can avoid all the problems easily.
Looking back you can see two cars parked just above the hairpin bend on the right of the photo. There is no need to go to the minor top where the communications mast is - unless you want to!
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Applecross by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Just reached the ridge and the summit isn't far away. You can see the 'bump' which is easily traversed or there is a bypass to the left.
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Applecross-2 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Looking across to An Ciochan with Beinn Bhan behind.
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Applecross-8 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan summit which I had done a couple of days earlier (report to follow) and I descended down the depression in the centre of the photo which begins just below the top.
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Applecross-3 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
When you get on the ridge the views are amazing - over to An Coichan with Beinn Bhan behind on your left and Meall Gorm on the right. Straight up over the obstacle (there is a by-pass path on the left but I didn't use it) then up the easy slope to the summit. What could be easier? A rainbow was thrown in just for good measure!
Looking over to Creag a' Chumhaing and Plockton with Skye beyond.
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Applecross-4 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Applecross-5 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
On the way back there was a wee shower but then this rainbow appeared.
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Applecross-6 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
Back at the car and the sun is still shining.
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Applecross-7 by
anniesmountains, on Flickr
I've been up this hill many times but I never get tired of it. The scenery is fantastic and there's the little bump in the ridge to keep one on one's toes. If you have a couple of hours to spare, you are in the area and want to bag a Corbett this one has everything - not least only 372 metres of ascent.
