
Roll the clock on and I need to get the Deargs climbed along with their buddy Bein a'Chaisgein Mor before winter sets in. I'd looked at routes from the north and west but decided on another walk in from Incheril, which would allow me to combine them with the Fisherfield Munros - useful as I also wanted to get to the two Tops on Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair. Although the forecast for the 3 days I'd allocated had originally been grim, on Tuesday night it had improved to sun, sun, sun - yay! We packed up the packs and looked for a reasonably early start the next morning.
Drove the few miles from Torridon campsite to Incheril and parked beside a group of youngsters off to climb Slioch. We noticed that the track along the Abhain Bruachaig had been widened and upgraded to permit more Hydro work which was taking place around the Heights of Kinlochewe. A driver we spoke to going in was scathing about the rules - not allowed onsite until 9.30 and off by 5, so as not to disturb the Eagle that lived on Carn na h-Achlaise. He didn't offer us a lift from the gate, which would have been a nice start

We made reasonable time along the track, enjoying the sight of the mountains as they started to appear - Slioch standing proud and pointed from this perspective. As we neared Lochan Fada we could plainly see the rocky crest of Sgurr Dubh - the ridge rising from Mhic Fhearchair. Looked inviting. If it hadn't been stalking season I might have ascended along that ridge rather than gaining access via Bealach Odhar, but as it was we followed the track up to the bealach and walked along to the north of Meall Garbh. We started off across the grey boulderfields of Mhic Fhearchair heading first for the East Top, a simple bump on the shoulder, then down the sinuous ridge edge towards Sgurr Dubh. On our left Beinn Dearg Mor rose like a crown from the valley. Drawing nearer to Sgurr Dubh the ridge narrows and there's some highly enjoyable scrambling over shattered pinnacles to reach the airy summit. Definately one of the best Tops and well worth making a visit next time you climb Fhearchair.
Slioch



Ridge to Sgurr Dubh

Mhic Fhearchair east Top

Ridge




Just 3 to go now

Returning

Summt of Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair - 141 again

We scampered back along to the Munro summit, having left our packs at the start of the ridge. This marked Munro number 141 for me - halfway round again


Beinn Dearg Mor & An Teallach

Sgurr Ban

Down to Loch a'Bhrisidh

Beinn Dearg Mor

Campspot - the light green patch across the river

An Teallach

The day's efforts


The night passed to the sound of roaring stags. One was very close to the tent and did give a modicum of anxiety that it might make closer acquaintance with us through the night. Otherwise sleep was aided by the burbling of the river - always a comfort I find. Morning brought blue skies and puffy white clouds - a fine day in prospect. We gathered up the tent and continued north along the path by the riverside, making for the eastern slopes of Dearg Mor. We turned off the path just after it splits at Leitir a'Bhinnien and started off up the steep heathery slopes, picking a route up through crags and large boulders and making for the hollow in the centre of the mountainside. Another steep hillside, worse than Beinn an Eoin. Allison was really struggling with pace and I was becoming a tad frustrated - I knew how far we'd have to go today if we were to finish the route by Friday tea-time, i'd only brought 3 days food with us so I was keen that we pressed on. Slowly we neared the top of the slope, with a slightly tricky scramble over the last blocks we were in the hollow of Coir' an Talamh-tholl. We headed up to our right, following the contour of the coire rim and spotting the peak of the summit up ahead. The views to An Teallach were just mouthwatering, offset by the serious cliffs on the north of Dearg Mor. We scrambled to the narrow summit which juts out over the edge - Allison's 200th Corbett although we didn't remember that til later.
Morning view out the tent - I've seen worse


Up to Beinn Dearg Mor



Up the coire rim

Summit bound




Impressive summit cairn



Corbett 200

Bheag

A steep descent, but with a clear path, takes you down to the ridge leading to Bheag - a sizable drop in height. Loch Toll an Lochain looked mysterious and beguiling to our right, An Teallach continued to catch the eye and I could make out the pyramid of Sgurr Creag nan Eich across Loch na Sealga - this was where I hoped my Tops would come to their conclusion. We ditched our packs at the lowest point between Mor and Bheag and set off up another 200m towards Bheag unladen. This was straightforward, paths pick their way through the crags and soon we were stood on the fine summit of this mountain. The ridge continues in what looks an exciting scramble on to the west, but we were heading back to the bealach to regain our packs and have lunch.



Summit Bheag

Loch Toll an Lochain

I'd originally planned to drop down the western side of the hill and cross Cadhachan Riabhach directly, but this looked unappealingly steep. There was an easier looking route at the eastern end of Loch Beinn Dearg and it even seemed as if there was a track winding up the hillside there... We descended easily towards the loch and followed the western shore until we reached the head. Yes indeed there was a good path - it dawned on me this must be the route walkers from Shenevall use to tackle the Fisherfields. An unexpected bonus, this aided our progress immensely, rather than having to bog hop. In no time we arrived at Lochan Feith Mhic Illean. We dropped our packs by a huge split boulder and set off westwards up the heathery slopes of a'Chaisgein Mor - "big forbidding mountain" maybe, but not from this approach - big whaleback hill it was. Lovely mossy slopes made walking to the summit cairn a pleasure and we were rewarded with views over Fionn Loch to Beinns Airidh Charr and Lair. I was keen to press on and camp on the upper slopes of A'Mhaighdean for the night, which I though we could reach in a couple of hours, but it was clear that Allison was coming towards the end of her energies for the day and instead we camped around the loch when we returned to our packs. Another pleasant night, with minimal wind and less stag roaring.
Loch Beinn dearg - path rises at the far end

View back up to the Deargs


Good track towards Lochan Feith

Ruadh Stac Mhor & A'Mhaighdean


Summit a'Chaisgein

Fionn Loch

View back to the Fisherfield Hills


We were up at dawn and set off for Ruadh Stac Mor, a mere hop, skip and jump from our campspot. Left the sacks at the cairn and scrambled up over the scree and boulders - unfortunately forgetting to take my camera with me



Up to Ruadh stac mor



View from A'Mhaighdean


beinn lair





Up to the tennis court


day 2-3 stats to lochan fada
