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fannichs camp

PostPosted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:06 pm
by thand
Two car trip this time so Brad drove out to Echt before we headed up the road. Dropping Brad's car off at the Braemore junction end of the walk we drove back to Loch Glascornoch.

It was such a good looking day and we could already feel the warmth (Brad was even in his shorts)

The walk in is long and boggy along the river before the path turns up past Loch Gorm to the bealach. It was then a fairly easy climb up to An Coileachan, especially as we ditched the heavy packs just above the bealach with Meall Gorm.
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The views were great in all directions, and the ridge looked epic snaking off into the distance.
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We set off again and picked up the packs before hitting the top at 922 and the onto Meall Gorm for #2.
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We headed on over to Meall Nam Peithirean and before dropping down and then back up to about 950m where we tried to skirt around Sgurr Mor so we didn't gain and lose too much height .
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We dumped the bags again and struck out along the spurr to Beinn Liath Mhor Fannich. It's a long walk this far and we were starting to feel the heat and the effect of the packs (even though we'd dumped them a mile back).

We moved off the path and took the direct route up to the summit (#3) where we got our first views on An Teallach.
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We started the long walk back to Sgurr Mor picking up the bags and finally bagging munro #4. Sgurr Mor acts like the gateway to the rest of the ridge and from here we could see the path ahead (and down to the car).
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We headed down to the bealach on Am Burach and the large stone where we dropped the bags and headed over to Meall a'Chrasgaidh (#5).
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At this point I was feeling shot so we we headed back to the bealach and set up camp. There were some melt streams off the snow patches so we drank our fill before setting up the tent.

Next job was a dram (Dalmore 15) while tea startd cooking. Another walker who was going to bivvy on top of Sgurr nan Clach Geala went past to we offered him a nip to get him up that last climb.

We had an excellent tea of chilli and couscous aided by a talisker storm and lagavullen 16 watching the sunset over the Fisherfields and An Teallach before passing out (due to tiredness) as soon as it got dark.
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Next morning we were up with dawn and the weather was just as good. a couple of bacon sandwiches and more melt water and then time to pack up.
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Packs back on and we started the short climb up Sgurr nan Clach Geala #6. There was snow on top and our pal from the night before was out for the count.
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We headed down the ridge dropping the bags at Cadha na Guite before another relatively easy ascent up Sgurr nan Each for lucky #7. I think it was 7.30 so we were making good time and feeling completely refreshed.
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As we headed back to the bags we heard an almighty racket and witnessed an avalanche down the east face of Sgurr Nan Each. You hear and see footage but nothing is like actually seeing even a small avalanche like this. Total respect now for the mountains.

Now for big descent down to 550m before the climb to Sgurr Breac. This was aided by some more ice cold streams from snow melt. The bealach was boggy but we were soon back on a rocky path and climbing steeply up.

We met another couple and dog who were out just walking and had camped in the bealach (they suspect our bacon woke up their pooch). We got to the top of Sgurr Breac (#8) and had a short chat with the nice couple before skirting around Tom Coinnich.
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We dropped the bags on the west flank just as the mist started to come in so we climbed our last munro of the day in clag. No views fron the ninth and last summit so we quickly headed back to the bags as the cloud started to lift.
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Up to the top of Tom Coinnich where we could see the long walk out. Nothing for it but to trot on.
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We headed down Druim Reidh before hitting the boggy descent down to the loch and out to the car.
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Brilliant two days and first wild camp!

Re: fannichs camp

PostPosted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 11:35 pm
by Alteknacker
Great report and pics, and what a wonderful place for a camp. :clap: :clap: :clap: And boy did you plan the weather well!!

This has been on my list of "must do's" for a couple of years, and it's just moved up the list! The idea will be to do the road bit on the bike...

Only bummer is the 10.5 hour drive to get there :(

Re: fannichs camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 11:39 am
by basscadet
Oh you were so lucky with the weather.. :D
I tried exactly the same trip in 2011, but was hit by a meteorological extravaganza and so, was forced off the hill after only 6 :lol:

Re: fannichs camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 12:21 pm
by thand
thanks guys, yeah we've been paying for the weather for the rest of the year!

Re: fannichs camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:07 pm
by Silverhill
Shorts in April? You lucky so and so! I was wearing 4 layers just a few weeks ago!
What a great trip! I’m plotting something similar. Thanks for whetting my appetite! :D

Re: fannichs camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 9:21 pm
by litljortindan
Looks a great trip.