Braigh na Uamhachan .... A long day in the snow

[Collaciotach]

I worked on Fassfern Estate many moons ago and i was always fascinated by the cleared villages we found in the huge forest that ran from the head of A' Chorp (Corpach) to the top end of Locheil ón the march with Glenfinnan. All Cameron country of course and a heavy rent roll from these land were amongst the first to come "out" during the year 1745 or Bliadhna Tèarlaich Og in the Gàidhlig way of naming significant years .

I have intended walking Braigh nan Uamhachan for a while so this morning thought i'd like a wee walk in the snow and claim another Corbett in the process ! .

We landed at Druim Saille at 9.20am ,cold ,grey and dry a significant event so far this Winter .

An rathad

There is an old Mill site at Druim Saille which i think has its root in the Gaelic for Willow ,Sailean and there is a reference ot its purpose for cutting timber back in 1840's and a fairly healthy local population , all now long dispersed and the remains can be found ón the opposite side of the river.

But today we headed straight up the track to Gleann Dubh Lighe bothán ...very well kept !

Am bothan

Having togged up inside we then headed throigh the gate and up ón the hill . ..tough going with about 6-8 in snow in places ....

An rathad suas

I picked a line the deer were using so they kinda cleared a path for us onto the bottom of the long (as i was to find out ) ridge .

There we headed up trying to réad where the snow was'nt to deep with a mixture of success , tis a never ending series of lumps and bumps !

An druim

An cu

Air cuil

Heavy going ........gu dearbh......! and deep , deep pockets almost all the way to the drystone dyke which fair drains the batteries after a slight lay off and heavy New Year !

Am Balla

The going never got easier after this , in fact it got harder , a real huff n puuf job while trying to extra t the legs from deep snow holes ,hidden bogs and an assortment of other booby traps .....

Phew

Bha mi toilichte nuair a bha mi air a' mhullach ..... delighted when i finally made the summit

Air a mhullach

Weather was tolerable but wind very cold so we did not spend that múch time hanging about ,some decent views though .

Beinn Neibhis ..

Thought about bailing into the upper wnd of Gleann Dubh Lighe via the many wee rakes and bealachs but in the end decided to follow the lorg - coise (footprints) all the way back ...been there and done the endless floundering in snowy holes that looked like the easy option out

Lorg - coise

An cu

Am balla

The walk back was easier than trail breaking the route in but a long day on a hard wee hill ,which is up there with the mighty Streap for the awkward make you work for your summit club.

Dhachaidh

We exited on the road at 5.30pm , a full 8 hrs for Colla and An Cu and tonight it is difficult to tell who is the stiffer of the pair

Overall not a bad day and the first of the year ..... roll ón Summer

Cheerie a nis

[PeteR]

Love the shot looking along the wall

I've had this one on my radar for a while, so very interested to see it in winter coat. Looks superb. I had toyed with it for Saturday, but late travel home on Friday led me to change my plans late on........which due to a big patch of ice on the road then never happened Braigh na Uamhachan may well be a possibility for this weekend.......if the weather plays nice

[malky_c]

The snow has certainly stacked up on there over the week. Looks all the better for it though . Wish I'd gone out today instead of yesterday - much sunnier.

[rockhopper]

Sounded tough but worth it - turned out not too bad a day - cheers