An Socach, An Riabhachan, Sgurrna Lapaich & Carn na Gobhar
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2016 8:41 pmAs I still had An Socach to climb, I made the long journey to Loch Mullardoch. I've never walked the path along the lochside, but heard nothing good about it, so decided to invest in a trip on the ferry to the head of the loch.
The journey along the loch only took a matter of minutes in the perfect conditions, but was great fun though.
After less then 10 minutes, we were climbing off the boat and ready to set out.
An easy start to the day, with the stalkers path giving access to Coire Mhaim.
After a quick tea break at the foot of the south east ridge, I started to make my way uphill - quite a straightforward and easy climb.
As I climbed. the most spectacular views were unfolding in the clear conditions.
Warm and sunny at the top - just a bit of a breeze to keep me cool.
Skye to the west, Torridon and Fisherfield north, Glen Affric South (and later in the day, the Cairngorms and The Ben too!)
Pressed along the ridge, with the steepish drop down to the col, then over the subsidiary top to the main summit of An Riabhachan......still the excellent conditions continued.
I took comfort from the map that the ascent to Sgurr na Lapaich was not as long as it looked! It was a very pleasant walk down to the col and from there, just a case of head down and get on with it until the cairn shelter and trig point appeared.
It was very impressive to look down the coire to the lochan. I arrived at the summit just in time to see a couple of goats have a square go with one another, although I don't know why they chose to come to the top of the hill to settle their differences! The first goats I've seen on the hill for years.
By this stage in the day, I was keen just to keep going, so didn't linger at the cairn, but set off for the final Munro. An awkward clamber down some boulders just below the summit - the normal route was below a thick covering of snow.
Once below the boulders, it was a straightforward walk to the col with Carn nan Gobhar and the final ascent of the day.
Not too long until the cairn arrived and it would be all downhill from there.
Started to head down to Mullach na Maoile, but before I got there, I headed down to the bulldozed track at the Allt Mullardoch.
Not too long a descent until I arrived at the track, and from there, past the works to the dam and the car.
An excellent day in magnificent surroundings, helped quite a bit by perfect weather. One of my best days out on the Scottish hills.
- Getting the ferry ready
The journey along the loch only took a matter of minutes in the perfect conditions, but was great fun though.
- Heading along the loch
- An Socach comes into view
After less then 10 minutes, we were climbing off the boat and ready to set out.
- Farewell to the ferry!
An easy start to the day, with the stalkers path giving access to Coire Mhaim.
- Looking back to Loch Mullardoch from the foot of Coire Mhaim
After a quick tea break at the foot of the south east ridge, I started to make my way uphill - quite a straightforward and easy climb.
- An Socach summit ridge
As I climbed. the most spectacular views were unfolding in the clear conditions.
- An Riabhachan from just before the summit of An Socach
- The final few steps to An Socach
Warm and sunny at the top - just a bit of a breeze to keep me cool.
- Looking north over Loch Monar
- Torridon from An Socach
Skye to the west, Torridon and Fisherfield north, Glen Affric South (and later in the day, the Cairngorms and The Ben too!)
- Skye!
- Southwest from An Socach
- From An Socach to An Riabhachan
Pressed along the ridge, with the steepish drop down to the col, then over the subsidiary top to the main summit of An Riabhachan......still the excellent conditions continued.
- Northwest from An Riabhachan
- Looking north to Fisherfield
I took comfort from the map that the ascent to Sgurr na Lapaich was not as long as it looked! It was a very pleasant walk down to the col and from there, just a case of head down and get on with it until the cairn shelter and trig point appeared.
- Loch Tuill Bhearnach from the cairn
It was very impressive to look down the coire to the lochan. I arrived at the summit just in time to see a couple of goats have a square go with one another, although I don't know why they chose to come to the top of the hill to settle their differences! The first goats I've seen on the hill for years.
- Looking south from Sgurr na Lapaich
- At the cairn
By this stage in the day, I was keen just to keep going, so didn't linger at the cairn, but set off for the final Munro. An awkward clamber down some boulders just below the summit - the normal route was below a thick covering of snow.
- Looking over to Sgurr na Clachan Geala
Once below the boulders, it was a straightforward walk to the col with Carn nan Gobhar and the final ascent of the day.
- The last uphill of the day!
Not too long until the cairn arrived and it would be all downhill from there.
- Sgurr na Lapaig from Carn nan Gobhar
- The Affric hills from Carn nan Gobhar
Started to head down to Mullach na Maoile, but before I got there, I headed down to the bulldozed track at the Allt Mullardoch.
- The Mullardoch Dam comes into view - a welcome sight!
Not too long a descent until I arrived at the track, and from there, past the works to the dam and the car.
An excellent day in magnificent surroundings, helped quite a bit by perfect weather. One of my best days out on the Scottish hills.