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Hurricane Bertha arrived on the sunday afternoon of our first day in Sheildaig and the weather did not improve until Wednesday. With only one day of our week in torridon left and the weather forecast good, the Triple Buttresses of Coire Mhic Fhearchair were an obvious choice to see Torridon in all its glory.
Forecast was for a cloudy start, but offered the possibilities of bluer skies as the day progressed. We parked up at the car park at 10.00am . There were hints of blue skies, but as we started, Spidean Coire Nan Clach had his head in the clouds.
The start of the walk climbs at a steady rate and before too long the views begin to open up behind towards Sgurr Dubh
Eventually the path levels out and turns into the valley between Liathach and Beinn Eighe. There was still no hint of the promised better weather.
However, the cliffs of Stuc a Choire Dub Bhig looked magnificent swirling in and out of the low cloud
Eventually we reached the much photographed buried whale.
Carter did his best to try and prize his mouth open, but to no avail
Just after the whale, it is necessary to cross the Allt Coire an Anmoich. This was pretty straight forward today as the stepping stones were all visible. However, I would imagine it would have been pretty difficult the previous two days after the huge amount of rain that fell on Torridon.
The path continues onwards around to the hidden side of Liathach. Coire Dubh Beag looked amazing. I saw a large bird circling in the Corrie. Possibly an eagle, but no sooner had I got my binoculars out, it had dissapeared into the swirling cloud.
I assume these are the An Fasarinen pinnacles of Liathach?
As the path swings round the base of Sail Mhor, the mountains of Northern Wester Ross come into view
Finally, after two hours of walking, the lip of the corrie comes into view with some amazing waterfalls on the left hand side.
I have read descriptions of the Coire Mhic Fhearchair being one of the most incredible places in Scotland. It really is true. Its a long walk in and. in many ways, this is what makes it so special, you have to earn he right to be there and what a privilege it is.
The view looking west from the outflow towards Beinn Dearg and Beinn Alligin
We planned to walk round the loch, but my wife's legs were giving her some serious pain as a result of a very hasty descent of Tom Na Gruagaich some days earlier, so we spent some time eating some lunch and set about returning.
As we began our descent, I looked up at an amazing gulley and wondered if it was possible to ascend this to the summit of sail mhor. Days later I realised that this was Morrisons Gully, to be known from now on as Annies Gully, following Anniemacd's remarkable descent of this posted on this forum a few days ago.
As we walked out, the forecast lived up to its promise and the clouds lifted. As hoped, we were now seeing Torridon at its most beautiful and dramatic best
A wonderful walk, and anyone visiting Torridon must make the effort to walk to this amazing place. Next time I intent to climb the scree slope and walk the Beinn Eighe ridge. I am already dreaming and planning next years visit!!!