A Ring Around The Sister of Kintail
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 8:57 am
This route is a round walk staring and ending at the Morvich Campsite.
Another very warm and sunny day, promised hot walking and excellent views. We left the campsite at 6:50am, the sky blue, the sun shining and as we turned through the gate near the activity centre we had view right along the Glen to Ciste Dubh. It was easy walking along the track that runs along the river Croe underneath the Five Sister Ridge. By 08:20 we had past the bothy and were following the Allt an Lapin up into the Coire, which was both scenic and impressive, so we couldn’t resist stopping for a brew up as we filled our water bottles. This was the last opportunity to gain water and, despite carrying plenty with us it was still not enough for such a warm day.
We followed a ridge out of the Coire which took us up to 800m just below Sgurr nan Spainteach. and one of the best sections of the ridge with the short ups and downs and bits of easy scrambling. Shortly after this I lost sight of the other half and the path and went wandering down a boulder field . A bit of hollering and backtracking and we were finally reunited and a very scenic stretch with views across Loch Duich. The clear views were awesome but we were starting to flag in the heat and it was forty minutes before we got moving . the third Munro and We had a quick drink of our dwindling water supply, hoping (in vain) that it would not be too long before we were on our way down to the river, and began our descent. just as we thought it was all over we realised that the best bit was still too come. It was such a short diversion from the path to the summit there was no reason not to go to the top, surely it must count as at least a sister in-law? We met the first other walker we had seen all day, A guy who had come along the brothers and sister ridge and who was looking for a place to camp in readiness for doing the saddle tomorrow. He too was hoping to find a water supply soon. We decided to give the final sister a miss and head down to the Bealach from Beinn Bhuide. Slowed up to a snails pace and stopping every few minutes to sip our final few mls of water we were very glad to come across a burn where we could fill up and brew up. Replenished, rehydrated and with water on board we headed on to the Bealach where we intended to follow the river down to Allt a Chruinn. Not sure why, but we headed of down the wrong side of the Bealach before cottoning onto the lack of path and river. Up we go again, ah ha there is the big river and a good path. A bit of bog hopping to reach it. While having another little rest sitting on the stones in the middle of the river we see another guy off to make a wild camp. Eventually we made a move, just as the midges got out their knives and forks. Down the path to that wound around the side of the hill before ending up in the village but with nice views over the Loch A couple of kilometres down the road and we arrived back the campsite at 22:00 still upright (just).
Another very warm and sunny day, promised hot walking and excellent views. We left the campsite at 6:50am, the sky blue, the sun shining and as we turned through the gate near the activity centre we had view right along the Glen to Ciste Dubh. It was easy walking along the track that runs along the river Croe underneath the Five Sister Ridge. By 08:20 we had past the bothy and were following the Allt an Lapin up into the Coire, which was both scenic and impressive, so we couldn’t resist stopping for a brew up as we filled our water bottles. This was the last opportunity to gain water and, despite carrying plenty with us it was still not enough for such a warm day.
We followed a ridge out of the Coire which took us up to 800m just below Sgurr nan Spainteach. and one of the best sections of the ridge with the short ups and downs and bits of easy scrambling. Shortly after this I lost sight of the other half and the path and went wandering down a boulder field . A bit of hollering and backtracking and we were finally reunited and a very scenic stretch with views across Loch Duich. The clear views were awesome but we were starting to flag in the heat and it was forty minutes before we got moving . the third Munro and We had a quick drink of our dwindling water supply, hoping (in vain) that it would not be too long before we were on our way down to the river, and began our descent. just as we thought it was all over we realised that the best bit was still too come. It was such a short diversion from the path to the summit there was no reason not to go to the top, surely it must count as at least a sister in-law? We met the first other walker we had seen all day, A guy who had come along the brothers and sister ridge and who was looking for a place to camp in readiness for doing the saddle tomorrow. He too was hoping to find a water supply soon. We decided to give the final sister a miss and head down to the Bealach from Beinn Bhuide. Slowed up to a snails pace and stopping every few minutes to sip our final few mls of water we were very glad to come across a burn where we could fill up and brew up. Replenished, rehydrated and with water on board we headed on to the Bealach where we intended to follow the river down to Allt a Chruinn. Not sure why, but we headed of down the wrong side of the Bealach before cottoning onto the lack of path and river. Up we go again, ah ha there is the big river and a good path. A bit of bog hopping to reach it. While having another little rest sitting on the stones in the middle of the river we see another guy off to make a wild camp. Eventually we made a move, just as the midges got out their knives and forks. Down the path to that wound around the side of the hill before ending up in the village but with nice views over the Loch A couple of kilometres down the road and we arrived back the campsite at 22:00 still upright (just).