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Haven't been out much recently so was planning an easy walk, then noticed Shenavall bothy was going to close for stalking next week and daylight is running out, so...
Just a couple of other cars in the layby, one walker was returning after a 12 hour marathon climbing all the tops on An Teallach. Left after 6 and sunset was 7:55 so I inevitably missed the cairns marking the turn off to Shenavall and got to the bothy as light was running out. Path gets steep and eroded at the end so wouldn't fancy it in the dark.
First time staying in a bothy, only 2 others were there - Matt was on the Cape Wrath Trail & John had completed 4 Fisherfields that day and would do the 2 others tomorrow.
Up at 6 the next morning and started on the good track to Beinn a'Chlaidheimh.
Brought boots & gaiters for the river crossings, both were straightforward though as the water level was low.
Bit craggy further up the tiring ascent of Beinn a'Chlaidheimh.
Beinn Dearg Mor, best looking hill in the area?
Apart from An Teallach.
Knackered near the top, all that effort & it's not even a Munro
Next, it's Sgurr Ban. There's a slight rise in between so as I get closer I decide to take a shortcut round the right of it (??). Seemed like a good idea but ended up on steep rocky ground so a relaxing descent became a tiring slog. Stopped listening to brain after this & stuck to sensible route.
First Munro bagged, next it's Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair wih the eroded path zig zagging upwards. There aren't many nice flat paths on this ridge, it tends to be steep, rocky , uneven ground.
Beinn Tarsuinn from the top.
Sgurr Dubh and some Fannichs in the distance.
Route goes down to Meall Garbh.
Sgurr Dubh again, I met someone on the Affric hills earlier this year who said each Fisherfield had its own distinct character and it appears to be true.
Meall Garbh bypass path.
Tennis court from Tarsuinn.
Slioch.
Pinnacles from tennis court.
After the pinnacles the legs are weary, you're running low on water and you see this
So, down to the bog and an endless uphill trek with deer looking on in sympathy.
Still, the views from the top aren't the worst.
Gorm Loch Mor
Ruadh Stac Mor from the cairn.
Another look up Fionn Loch towards something invitingly called 'Bad Bog'.
Down to the bealach with Ruadh Stac Mor. It looks very steep from here but the ascent isn't too bad - all the hard work is over
Scree gully through the crags, scree/rocks are steep and loose so I wouldn't fance being behind someone on the ascent.
Goats guarding the cairn.
Fuar Loch Mor.
Over to the first 3 Munros.
Now it's downhill all the way...and water
Picked up a good path, met John later as he collected kindling for the bothy. Crossed at Larachantivore for the boggy bit - there's a path to follow and thankfully managed to avoid any plunges.
John at the last river. Bothy was busier now and smoke was coming from the chimney
About half a dozen others now so it was quite lively, turned in early but got awoken by a wet dog
Up at 6 the next morning, moon still out over Beinn Dearg Mor.
Met a couple in ther 70s on the walk back, they were heading to the bothy (then onwards to Poolewe) and wondered how busy it was. He had been involved in the restoration of the building and had seen 20 people crammed into the upstairs area before. Realised I'd met quite a few folk on the trip but I was the only Scot. Also heard tales of secret bothies at the confluence of two rivers, expensive pints in Ullapool and characters in the Crask Inn
