Eastern Fannichs
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:36 pmWalkers: Nev, Neill, Martin
Had a rest yesterday (weather wet as well), so drove around to Shieldaig to enjoy lunch in the Tigh an Eilean Hotel Bar. It didn’t disappoint – not exactly cheap – but great food all made on the premises from fresh, locally sourced produce. Better get on with the report before this lapses into a foodie article.
Decided that Carn Eige etc was probably too much for us this year, but we wanted to finish on a high with a biggish walk. Neill had done Sgurr Mor before, but not the other 3. I did 3 of the Western Fannichs last summer and was up for this. Martin hadn’t done any in this group so the choice was made.
Decided on an early start – got to the car park and were on our way by 8:30 am. The first part [and last] along the Abhrainn an Torrain Duibh followed a good path. However, as soon as we crossed the Allt an Loch Sgeirich and started towards Creag Dhubh Fannaich the path vanished and it was heather and peat hag all the way – hard work. There appeared to be a path on the other side of the stream so it may well better to stay on that side of the Allt an Loch Sgeirich and cross where it [the stream] turns NW – not sure about the crossing there though – the banks were much deeper and steep! Towards the top of Creag Dhubh Fannaich the way ahead eases and the walking becomes far more pleasurable.
Martin at work - or just checking we going the right way - up!
Now just a steady pull to the top of Beinn Laith Mhòr Fanniach – Neill was a man on a mission by this time and stormed our first Munro of the day without stopping; and, what a reward on reaching the summit.
However, this did bring on the need for pork pies and other such health food.
The descent off Beinn Laith Mhòr Fanniach was [for me] the only tricky bit of the day – steep and over shattered blocks of rock. Just took my time watching every foot placement.
Sgùrr Mòr beckoned, looking very imposing.
We weren’t quite as quick this time having to take a couple of short rests, but we were soon at the cairn and what a 360o panorama; near and far. Managed to sit out of the wind, have lunch and just marvel at what we could see: Coigach and Assynt; further N to Foinaven and Ben Hope; E to Ben Wyvis; S to the Strathfarrars and Mullardochs etc etc.
What followed was a wonderful ridge walk taking in Meall Gorm and An Coileachan.
We lingered on An Coileachan for some time before beginning the walk out – this was the end of our week.
The walk out is fine down to Loch Gorm – far easier than I had anticipated. Steep, but easy to zig-zag down the grassy slope. Also fine is the walk once you cross the wooden bridge (fairly new) over Abhainn a’ Giuthais Li; but, the bit in between (about 2½km) is hard work. It seemed much longer than it was. I suspect we may have skirted too low around Meallan Buidhe, but you still encounter peat hag and heather from its N slope down to the bridge.
Do not be tempted to cross the larger bridge further downstream – it simply leads to the forestry area to the E. Continue on the right hand bank (facing N).
By this time it had started to rain so we were glad of making the effort to start an hour earlier than per usual. We re-crossed the Allt an Loch Sgeirich and walked the last 2½km as quickly as our tiring legs could manage.
In all, it took us 10½ hours including about 45 minutes for food and pics; so not bad. If we could do this more often we might improve our times.
Had a rest yesterday (weather wet as well), so drove around to Shieldaig to enjoy lunch in the Tigh an Eilean Hotel Bar. It didn’t disappoint – not exactly cheap – but great food all made on the premises from fresh, locally sourced produce. Better get on with the report before this lapses into a foodie article.
Decided that Carn Eige etc was probably too much for us this year, but we wanted to finish on a high with a biggish walk. Neill had done Sgurr Mor before, but not the other 3. I did 3 of the Western Fannichs last summer and was up for this. Martin hadn’t done any in this group so the choice was made.
Decided on an early start – got to the car park and were on our way by 8:30 am. The first part [and last] along the Abhrainn an Torrain Duibh followed a good path. However, as soon as we crossed the Allt an Loch Sgeirich and started towards Creag Dhubh Fannaich the path vanished and it was heather and peat hag all the way – hard work. There appeared to be a path on the other side of the stream so it may well better to stay on that side of the Allt an Loch Sgeirich and cross where it [the stream] turns NW – not sure about the crossing there though – the banks were much deeper and steep! Towards the top of Creag Dhubh Fannaich the way ahead eases and the walking becomes far more pleasurable.
Martin at work - or just checking we going the right way - up!
Now just a steady pull to the top of Beinn Laith Mhòr Fanniach – Neill was a man on a mission by this time and stormed our first Munro of the day without stopping; and, what a reward on reaching the summit.
However, this did bring on the need for pork pies and other such health food.
The descent off Beinn Laith Mhòr Fanniach was [for me] the only tricky bit of the day – steep and over shattered blocks of rock. Just took my time watching every foot placement.
Sgùrr Mòr beckoned, looking very imposing.
We weren’t quite as quick this time having to take a couple of short rests, but we were soon at the cairn and what a 360o panorama; near and far. Managed to sit out of the wind, have lunch and just marvel at what we could see: Coigach and Assynt; further N to Foinaven and Ben Hope; E to Ben Wyvis; S to the Strathfarrars and Mullardochs etc etc.
What followed was a wonderful ridge walk taking in Meall Gorm and An Coileachan.
We lingered on An Coileachan for some time before beginning the walk out – this was the end of our week.
The walk out is fine down to Loch Gorm – far easier than I had anticipated. Steep, but easy to zig-zag down the grassy slope. Also fine is the walk once you cross the wooden bridge (fairly new) over Abhainn a’ Giuthais Li; but, the bit in between (about 2½km) is hard work. It seemed much longer than it was. I suspect we may have skirted too low around Meallan Buidhe, but you still encounter peat hag and heather from its N slope down to the bridge.
Do not be tempted to cross the larger bridge further downstream – it simply leads to the forestry area to the E. Continue on the right hand bank (facing N).
By this time it had started to rain so we were glad of making the effort to start an hour earlier than per usual. We re-crossed the Allt an Loch Sgeirich and walked the last 2½km as quickly as our tiring legs could manage.
In all, it took us 10½ hours including about 45 minutes for food and pics; so not bad. If we could do this more often we might improve our times.
Great pics