Fannichs 5...from sunrise to rainbow

[Petr Dakota]

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Saturday 7th of November, winter time is coming slowly...or rather to say very slowly as the temperature is not so bad yet. Weather forecast was not the best especially for the South, West and Central Scotland, but not rain expectation in the North. It was a great opportunity to go to the North again and bring back some wonderful memories from my recent trips there. I did Beinn Dearg and Seana Bhraigh in October, enjoyed climbing An Teallach with my brother in September, we did also the four Fannichs ( East ) one day after An Teallach so I decided to do the rest of Fannichs - connect the two individual routes in one together as I was looking forward to spend the day in the mountains
There is still a lot of mountains to do... I'm keeping most of areas undone, spreading different areas in my Munro map to keep a higher chance to choice a mountain trip anytime if is bad weather somewhere then I can still go somewhere else. I have not done my nearest local hills, thinking of the possibilities to keep walking regularly. They can still wait for some short days...By the way I'm able to select more areas during a Year despite the winter time and weather ( it would be very limited if have done the nearest or some full areas when the weather forecast can be better somewhere and also the shorter Winter-time days can be an obstacle for longer trip ).
I want always use the maximum of any opportunities and save the easier - shorter trips for the right time
Well, decision made for the Fannichs. Because of the shorter daylight and despite the distance - 4 hours of driving time to the North, no need to be there very early morning in the darkness, but early enough to finish safe in the daylight and get back home in a good time as well. I set alarm for 01:45 am and exactly at 03:00 started my way to the North via Stirling, Perth, Inverness...

After almost 4 hours of driving time I arrived to the start point a few mins. before 7:00 am. Parked at the lay-by next to the A832 road. The place was empty, but shortly after another car arrived and parked next to me...a walker who also decided to do the Fannichs hills very early morning. The daylight started slowly, we greeted each other and spoke shortly, then I started my walk at 7:06 towards the silhouette of the hills...

The walk started well by the wide path with a good surface - ideal initial way, especially early morning before full daylight. I turned left in the junction shortly before Loch a' Bhraoin, followed the nice path via forest, crossed the footbridge and turned left again to start my route clock-wise by the Three Munros first. My plan was to join also the Two Western Fannichs Munros and finish the circle by the visible descent just opposite of the footbridge. Some boggy places and still not the good light for a better quality photos. I missed the more gentle ascent-angle and started climb straight up steeper

I was not sure which direction will use the another walker, but looked back I did not see him anywhere behind me so I guessed he started by the Two western Munros first. Some nice views from the first Munro - summit of Meall a'Chrasgaidh...this one is towards North-West with An Teallach in the background. Great memories from the fine mountain, from the adventure with my brother in September...Really great mountain An Teallach !!!

Loch a'Mhadaidh on my way to the Munro no.2

Looking back to the 1st Munro...An Teallach dominant in the distance

Some white clouds covered the hills, misty...no views around the 2nd Munro - summit of Sgurr nan Clach Geala

Fortunately better views in lower level when descending Sgurr nan Clach Geala. My next target Sgurr nan Each ahead...

The summit of Sgurr nan Each - Munro no.3 on my route, not views again...

Clearer views when descending and looking towards Sgurr nan Clach Geala...

From the summit of Sgurr nan Each I walked back to the lower point, here is the descent to the Glen and then the ascent to Sgurr Breac opposite. The three Munros done, now to connect the two in the West...some boggy areas again and all the wetness made my descending very slow. Sgurr Breac in the mist now, but An Teallach still visible in the distance...

Munro no.4 - Sgurr Breac closer and clearer from the lower level...

I started climb the slope of Sgurr Breac and then I heard some voices from the bottom. Looked back, I saw two walkers in discussion. They came via the Glen and looking in a map they started climb up the way I just descended. I continued ascending Sgurr Breac and shortly after I met the walker from the parking lay-by who did the route in the opposite direction. We had a short chat about our plans, shared our experience about the terrain and conditions - our today's routes...he used map, so I confirmed which one is the summit of Sgurr nan Each as the two looked confusing from this view...then we continued our own individual walk, wishing a good day each other...

Looking back to the Sgurr nan Clach Geala in the left and Sgurr nan Each in the right

Towards North - the Glen between the two Fannichs routes. The start point in the distance near the road behind the forest

Sgurr nan Each again...

...and again together with Sgurr nan Clach Geala in the left

Sgurr nan Clach Geala in the right and Meall a' Chrasgaidh in the left

The summit of Sgurr Breac - Munro no.4...An Teallach in the background again

Looking ahead towards West, some tops on the way to A' Chailleach ( in the distance ), Toman Coinnich with the ridge for the final walk back to the car park in the middle

Closer to Toman Coinnich, A' Chailleach - the Munro no.5 in the distance

Ascending A' Chailleach and looking back to Toman Coinnich...Loch Fannich in the background

An Teallach zoomed

Loch Toll an Lochain - towards North

...closer to the final ascent of A' Chailleach

The report continues in the post below

[Petr Dakota]

Loch Toll an Lochain again from a different angle

Munro no. 5 ! The summit of A' Chailleach...sunshine and inversion

Inversion views

Looking back...

...and walking back

Toman Coinnich

Toman Coinnich and Loch Fannich in the distance

Towards West - Torridon Mountains in the distance

The way back to the car park...the ridge from Toman Coinnich

An Teallach from the ridge

The finnal descent looked steep and wet...but more sunshine and clear sky now

Towards East - the hills I started in the morning

Loch a' Bhraoin

...and again

...and closer

The footbridge and the path via the forest

Loch a' Bhraoin again

...against the sunshine

Rainbow over the forest

...once again...double rainbow

Looking back.......

Sunshine...

The wide road, the hills and the sunshine...looking back

Looking back...near to the start / finish point...

I got back to the car park ( lay-by ) at 15:33, another two cars there in the time...one of the walker I met in the morning and the second car was probably of the two walkers I saw in the Glen.
It was a great day in the mountains, I felt fresh after the walk in the wonderful area I enjoyed even the driving back home, .listening music and thinking about a lot of things...Not a bad day for November and nice feelings when back home at 19;40, evening just began and I had done a long trip with all the driving...the advantage of early starts !

[Alteknacker]

Great stuff Petr, and really helpful - I think the Fannichs will be my next longer expedition, and you report has really whetted my appetite.

But - oh dear! - it really is a very long drive

[martin.h]

Hi Petr, looks like you had a good day there despite the mist in parts. lovely photos of a great area. We did the same route in 2014, its a great way to do five of the Fannichs, except for the damp descent
Cheers.

[jamesb63]

Well done Petr on another great day in the hills for you ??
As always a good informative report with plenty pics ,
Just now I have a heavy workload with lead up to xmas so no walks just now

[pollyh33]

Smashing stuff Petr.

Thanks for posting such a helpful and informative report- hoping to get this group of five done in a couple of weeks (although it may have to get cut short depending on conditions and available daylight )

[PerthAlly]

Top man Petr

Unless a really decent spell of weather arrives I won't be walking much till next spring.

As I get older I've become a fair weather walker

[Gordie12]

Hi Petr - that looked brilliant and you have some good photos of your day.

I had planned to do these 5 this year as well but it's looking like it will be next year now (definitely not this weekend going by the forecast).

Your planning is better than mine by leaving gaps in your "to do" list in different parts of the country so you can chase the weather, it's starting to feel like west or north west for me these days.

[spiderwebb]

Impressive walk and photos Petr, you're setting a new benchmark to live up to in terms of getting up early

Loved this group of hills which I did completely in brilliant winter conditions, several days, first time with crampons too. Many memories of these, from a near encounter with MRT, lost my own dog and searched for another.

But that early start, hmmm, think I need to plot a biggy soon

[Silverhill]

I was looking at these hills on the map today (already planning next year’s trip). It’s so easy to link them, especially on a 1:50.000 map, as distances don’t look far at all! A very useful report for me, with some lovely pictures of the ridges (and the drops between them).

[J888ohn]

Petr you've overtaken my total!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I've been forced into early winter hibernation thanks to a mountain bike whoopsie last week which means I am now on my way to becoming the bionic man thanks to the plate and screws in my shoulder!

Great pics again and another multiple munro day to add to my to do list. Hats off to you for your discipline to get up at that time in the morning, I just can't do it and with most of my unclaimed munros being a 3 hour drive from the Central Belt I'm going to have to start getting up at Petr o'clock next year

[Petr Dakota]

Great stuff Petr, and really helpful - I think the Fannichs will be my next longer expedition, and you report has really whetted my appetite.

But - oh dear! - it really is a very long drive

Thanks Alteknacker glad the report can be usefull for you. You will enjoy all of them together, good connection from the Eastern four from Sgurr Mor via Carn na Criche. Hope you will get the good weather - rewarded by great views as the distance from your home is really too long...

Hi Petr, looks like you had a good day there despite the mist in parts. lovely photos of a great area. We did the same route in 2014, its a great way to do five of the Fannichs, except for the damp descent
Cheers.

Hi Martin and thank you really great area. The final descent was really very boggy, also on the top before but not surprised after some rainy days...

Well done Petr on another great day in the hills for you ??
As always a good informative report with plenty pics ,
Just now I have a heavy workload with lead up to xmas so no walks just now

Thanks James Hope you will get back to the mountains soon after Christmas - I guess you will miss them now...I will get busy at work too until 2nd week after New Year, but hope in some quick mountains trip, wishing to do Ben Nevis again until end of the Year...

Smashing stuff Petr.

Thanks for posting such a helpful and informative report- hoping to get this group of five done in a couple of weeks (although it may have to get cut short depending on conditions and available daylight )

Thank you pollyh33 Glad the report can help you planning your trip there. Hope you will get the good weather condition and you will enjoy the hills...

Top man Petr

Unless a really decent spell of weather arrives I won't be walking much till next spring.

As I get older I've become a fair weather walker

Thanks Ally Hope some really good weather days will be there for you and you will not stay without the mountains until spring I wish you well

Hi Petr - that looked brilliant and you have some good photos of your day.

I had planned to do these 5 this year as well but it's looking like it will be next year now (definitely not this weekend going by the forecast).

Your planning is better than mine by leaving gaps in your "to do" list in different parts of the country so you can chase the weather, it's starting to feel like west or north west for me these days.

Hi Gordie and thank you Hope some better days with the good weather will come yet until end of the Year, still a chance to do it then It really works for me - this way of planning, by the way I can still do any local or short distanced hills if short free time only or to chose any areas if the weather is better somewhere else...covering just parts, but using max. then

Impressive walk and photos Petr, you're setting a new benchmark to live up to in terms of getting up early

Loved this group of hills which I did completely in brilliant winter conditions, several days, first time with crampons too. Many memories of these, from a near encounter with MRT, lost my own dog and searched for another.

But that early start, hmmm, think I need to plot a biggy soon

Thank you Dave Waking up and starting early is necessary to get far away or to do more Munros together and get back home in ann early hours as I´m doing only one days trips ( mostly )...but I love the early starts even for shorter trips in summer to catch the sunrise from a summit when the daylight is starting early ( using the difference between an early and late daylight for the driving in the winter time ) Some mountains are really bringing back our personal memories...staying longer in our thoughts...

I was looking at these hills on the map today (already planning next year’s trip). It’s so easy to link them, especially on a 1:50.000 map, as distances don’t look far at all! A very useful report for me, with some lovely pictures of the ridges (and the drops between them).

Thanks Silverhill Glad the report is useful for you...as you are planning your's next year's trips You are good organized preparing everything ahead Hope you will enjoy the hills there...

Petr you've overtaken my total!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I've been forced into early winter hibernation thanks to a mountain bike whoopsie last week which means I am now on my way to becoming the bionic man thanks to the plate and screws in my shoulder!

Great pics again and another multiple munro day to add to my to do list. Hats off to you for your discipline to get up at that time in the morning, I just can't do it and with most of my unclaimed munros being a 3 hour drive from the Central Belt I'm going to have to start getting up at Petr o'clock next year

Sorry for overtaking you John and sorry for your bike accident Hope you will get recovered soon and get back to the mountains after the winter...All the best, wishing you well.
I'm sure you will enjoy this hills and all the area when you will walk them
Good luck with the start to getting up at Petr o'clock But that's the way to get them far away !

[Happyfeet]

Looks superb Petr. Nice rainbows and no people about....yyeeeppiieee. You are truely dedicated to you Munros

[Petr Dakota]

Looks superb Petr. Nice rainbows and no people about....yyeeeppiieee. You are truely dedicated to you Munros

Thank you Emmelie Nice to see you back here...