She'll be Coming Round the Mountain....

[AnnieMacD]

Track_2015-03-14 Maol Chean-dearg circular.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

This was my second big walk of the year but the first outside Applecross so decided to stay pretty close to home. I have seen Loch na Eoin many times from all the surrounding hills and determined to walk to it this winter while there was still snow on the high tops. I would have liked to walk through from Coulags to Annat via the south side of Maol Chean-dearg but as I had no guarantee of a lift back to Coulags I decided not to take the risk. It's a long way from Annat to Coulags by road!

I started off early in the hope of getting a stunning sunrise but there was none so I set off at about 7:10 am. However, I met Ewen MacKinnon feeding his sheep so had a good chat to him. I'm not really one for low-level walks if there are hills around so I decided to go up Meall nan Ceapairean just to get some good exercise and I do have to get hill-fit again. I went off-path up behind the bothy and gained the bealach with no difficulty. However, the wind was freezing so I headed straight for the summit where I tried to get out of the wind to have breakfast. I sat for ages taking in the amazing bulk of Maol Chean-dearg and watch a few ants (people) down below making their way up the path.

Turns out one group, which I met at the next bealach (between MCD and Meall nan Ceapairean), was none other than Mountainboy and Hamish plus two adults! We had a good chat and took some photos and they headed off up the steep scree while most of my hard work was already done and I headed down-hill towards Loch an Ruadh-stac. An Ruadh Stac looked magnificent but still with quite a bit of snow on the north side.

21/11/2015. Well, that's all I wrote at the time. Now, I can't remember much detail so I'll just post my photos of the day.

From up the sides of Meall nan Ceapairean with the bothy down below and Fuar Tholl in the background.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

I was on an airy perch looking down to the path and the bulk of Maol Chean-dearg. Beinn Damh is on the left at rear.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-2 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

The bealach with MCD and An Ruadh Stac on the left.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-3 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

An Ruadh Stac in all its glory. There are lovely little lochans all around.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-4 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Maol Chean-dearg.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-5 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

An Ruadh Stac and more lovely little lochans. It was a perfect if cold day.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-6 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

An Ruadh Stac - the perfect Corbett!
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-7 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

At the bealach I saw three people and a dog having fun crossing a snow-bank on the path. I waited to say Hello and it turned out it was Mountainboy (from this site) and his dog Hamish. They had two adults tagging along. Hi Mountainboy!
MountainBoy and Hamish by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

MB and Hamish headed off up MCD but I was heading downhill on the path between MCD and ARS. Circling the mountain you get great views of the south end of Beinn Damh.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-8 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

... and further round, Liathach.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-9 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Then all of a sudden Loch an Eoin comes into view. It was such a calm, clear day I could hear MB and Co. up on the summit!
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-10 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Beautiful beaches but no wildlife at all. I didn't see a bird or a deer all day. Fuar Tholl is seen through the gap of Bealach na Lice.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-13 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

I sat here for ages eating lunch and taking photos. I had a little tripod with me.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-15 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Moving around the loch (and MCD) I took the right-hand fork to go back to Coulags - although I think Annat was closer.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-16 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Close-up of the islands in the loch. Fuar Tholl and the buttresses are quite close.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-17 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Whenever I hit the Bealach na Lice, Sgorr Ruadh comes into view.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-18 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Back down at Loch Coire Fionnaraich. with Fuar Tholl behind.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-19 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Fionn-abhainn just by the bothy with the evening sun reflecting from the sides of Fuar Tholl.
Maol Chean-dearg Circular-20 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

A fantastic day out for my first proper walk of the year.

[spiderwebb]

Superb photos That Hamish and his humans gets about

[wilkiemurray]

superb photos - looked like a great day

did MCD from Torridon many moons go - but have been thinking of return for a camp - maybe after the surgery is done and knee is fixed

ATB

M

[Silverhill]

Stunning pictures Annie! This is such a lovely area for walking and I look forward exploring it next summer, hopefully with a wild camp if the weather is half decent.

[BobMcBob]

Your photos give me the wanderlust again.

Some time ago, in a job interview, a man in a suit asked me where I saw myself in 10 years time. "In a cave eating moss" was my reply. Are there any mossy caves around this area?

[dogplodder]

What a fabulous walk! MCD from Annat was my first hill walk after moving north and I've been meaning to go back and go in from the Coulags side to climb that wonderful Corbett with all the lochans round. Must look out for for a good day like you got!

[AnnieMacD]

Superb photos That Hamish and his humans gets about

Thanks! I find it funny trying to write walk reports 8 months after the event.

I love meeting WH people on the hills and I kept calling Hamish "Everest" as Mountainboy shouted "Everest!" when he saw An Ruadh-Stac right in front of him. I thought he was calling the dog back.

[AnnieMacD]

superb photos - looked like a great day

did MCD from Torridon many moons go - but have been thinking of return for a camp - maybe after the surgery is done and knee is fixed

ATB

M

Oooh, sorry you have to have surgery. I hope you won't be off the hills for too long.

I think a great spot to camp would be down by the lovely lochans - it would be very sheltered. But just remembered you like to get the sunrises and sunsets from the summits. Plenty spots up there too.

Good luck with your recovery.

[AnnieMacD]

Stunning pictures Annie! This is such a lovely area for walking and I look forward exploring it next summer, hopefully with a wild camp if the weather is half decent.

I so hope you get good weather then. You have to get paid back for putting up with the atrocious weather this year! It's a gorgeous area indeed.

[AnnieMacD]

Your photos give me the wanderlust again.

Some time ago, in a job interview, a man in a suit asked me where I saw myself in 10 years time. "In a cave eating moss" was my reply. Are there any mossy caves around this area?

I'm sure there that are any caves, at least I never found one. Plenty fresh water and moss though!

[AnnieMacD]

What a fabulous walk! MCD from Annat was my first hill walk after moving north and I've been meaning to go back and go in from the Coulags side to climb that wonderful Corbett with all the lochans round. Must look out for for a good day like you got!

An Ruadh-Stac on a glorious day has to be a classic Torridon walk. Be sure to choose a day when the haze is minimal. I'm pretty sure I've done a walk report on it if you want to check it out!

[Graeme D]

Stunning photos of an amazing area - brings back the memories of a superb day there just a few short weeks ago.

[basscadet]

What a nice route - mind you, everything is nice round there.

Serious lack of camp spots though SH. We have been thwarted quite a few times, and is probably the reason why we dont go there as often as the hill quality would make us want to
Best at the bothy

[Alteknacker]

Some time ago, in a job interview, a man in a suit asked me where I saw myself in 10 years time. "In a cave eating moss" was my reply. Are there any mossy caves around this area?

Did you get the job?

[Alteknacker]

The usual brilliant pics of a very photogenic area - definitely gives me the "head for the hills" itch!