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Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 5:11 pm
by Beaner001
Dad and I were forced off this route in November 2014 after the first Munro Meall a'Chrasgaidh due to high winds. We then went and did the Western two Munros and were left with these two and the Eastern four to do in the Fannichs. To combine these six remaining Munros would be a hard slog for dad without a wild camp so we reluctantly decided on the route below, which meant we were repeating parts of routes already done, neither of us like this but so be it.
I had been looking forward to SNCG as it was the monster of the ridge but not as big as Sgurr Mor.


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We parked up reasonably late in the layby off the A832 and set off. The weather started claggy around the summits but the reason for the late start was 'Heather with the weather' predicted it to get better the later in the day it got. The plan was to ascend up the col between Meall a'Chrasgaidh and SNCG and head up from there and then over to Sgurr nan Each and then drop back into Cadha na Guite and then into the glen and follow the WH route Northwards and out. We did exactly that.

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Looking up the valley we'd be heading up with Sgurr nan clach geala on left

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Dogs swimming in outflow from Loch a' Bhraoin

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Our first target on left (Sgurr nan clach geala)

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A strange place for a wee bridge half way up towards Clach Mhor na Beuchdaich on ascent to bealach between SNCG and Meal a chrasgaidh

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Looking over to Sgurr Breac

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The bealach were aiming for

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Sgurr Breac again

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On the ridge up to SNCG


The only real points of note were the fresh snow above 1000m that caused problems as it was well over ankle deep and we also had to be careful of the cornicing on the Eastern and South Eastern faces of SNCG. I won a tenner off dad on the summit as he said he'd like to wait and see if the clag shifted to get views, I firmly believed it would not so we bet a tenner, of course it did not shift after ten minutes, he's still not payed up. :crazy:

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Taking photo of dad beside the wrecked trig point

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Dogs on summit SNCG

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Sgurr nan each trying to break through the clag

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Brilliant, we can see our route ahead

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And again closer

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Over to Sgurr Breac


We descended down out of the clag into the Creag an Fhuarain and then made the easy ascent up to Sgurr nan Each, this little Munro sure was a nice surprise and gave great views into the Deargs, Torridon, Fisherfields and Strahfarrar. Wonderful, dad likened it to the feeling you might get being on the front of the Titanic, the feeling was of exposure but looking back giving great views to the two Fannich Giants of SNCG (Sgurr nan Clach Gaela) & Sgurr Mor.

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Summit ridge to Sgurr nan each - a fabulous wee mountain

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Dogs win the race to the summit cairn as per usual

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Posers on summit Sgurr nan each


We reluctantly headed down to the col and then down the steep grassy slope to the outward Glen, this was to be the second time we'd used this glen as an exit but it was still very pleasant.
I am a bit behind with the TR's so still to come the Arran Corbetts and the Arran Graham :wink:
Cheers

Re: Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:10 pm
by spiderwebb
These are brilliant hills. Sgurr na Clach Geala, holds many memories, some suprising, some frustrating and some sad, but enjoyed each and every one.

Heather with the Weather...tell me more :D and make sure you get your money :lol:

Re: Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:46 pm
by Huff_n_Puff
Love the dogs, and your Dad, posing :lol: :lol: Like Spiderweb these are special hills for me too, played an important role in getting me hill fit after some stupid accidents that resulted in broken bones. Hope to be back up here shortly on a charity fundraiser. :D

Re: Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:33 pm
by martin.h
These are really nice mountains Matt, well worth the effort.
We're up in the area in July, hoping to do the four eastern Fannichs, fingers crossed for good weather :D

Re: Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:00 pm
by Collaciotach
Mix feelings on the Fannich ...... to go with the mixed weather I had on them :wink:

Re: Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 9:00 pm
by Beaner001
spiderwebb wrote:These are brilliant hills. Sgurr na Clach Geala, holds many memories, some suprising, some frustrating and some sad, but enjoyed each and every one.

Heather with the Weather...tell me more :D and make sure you get your money :lol:


Yeah Dave I can understand some of your emotions on these. Och it's just the old weather bird Heather Reid, she was the best weather woman as all the new ones are always wrong, plus she was nae too shabby :lol:

Huff_n_Puff wrote:Love the dogs, and your Dad, posing :lol: :lol: Like Spiderweb these are special hills for me too, played an important role in getting me hill fit after some stupid accidents that resulted in broken bones. Hope to be back up here shortly on a charity fundraiser. :D


Thanks HnP, all the best for the fundraiser :clap:

martin.h wrote:These are really nice mountains Matt, well worth the effort.
We're up in the area in July, hoping to do the four eastern Fannichs, fingers crossed for good weather :D


Hope the weather is good for you Marts, my July is full with weddings this year, I'm going to struggle for weekends this summer......

Collaciotach wrote:Mix feelings on the Fannich ...... to go with the mixed weather I had on them :wink:


I've had fairly mixed weather too, hope the Eastern ones are the best yet...

Re: Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 9:32 pm
by spiderwebb
Only one weather girl Sian Lloyd...if she pops round, the hills will have to wait :D

Re: Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:28 pm
by Beaner001
spiderwebb wrote:Only one weather girl Sian Lloyd...if she pops round, the hills will have to wait :D


I'll see your Sian Lloyd and raise you Cat Cubie :lol: :lol:

Re: Return to the Sgurr nan Clach Gaela Ridge

PostPosted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 2:44 pm
by basscadet
That looked fun :) Some really good photos of the neck of Sgurr nan each there too.. Most each's are named after places they used to breed, graze or keep horses, but this one is so called because the ridge looks like a horses neck.