Day 3 in Torridon Maol Chaon Clag

[jamesb63]

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Day 3 saw us heading round to Coulags to this time do Maol Chaon Dearg
as the clag was still all around and was going for something less demanding
arrived at the start and again no other cars there
So as I was already ready it was out the car through the gate on start the walk in

Starting the walk

I was hardly started and on came the rain got the waterproofs on and and on they would stay
for the whole walk again though the walking is made easy on great paths
so we were going along at a nice steady pace

Coulags Bothy coming into view

Soon reached the bothy but continued straight on past as the weather now was miserable

Way over to Glen Torridon

Looking up to Maol Chaon Dearg

Reached the cairn marking the turn for the start of the ascent
never stopped just continued straight up the zig zags the a nice steady incline to the bealach
An Ruadh Stac now came into view a very impressive mass of rock it is to

An Ruadh Stac

Maol Chaon Dearg in the clag

Couple of pics and head on up the next step of the ascent the rain now getting heavier
so just carried on with no more stops till we reached the cairn which came into view
when I was about 50 metres from it

The cairn comes into view

Jake at the summit

slight break in the clag and can now make out Loch Torridon

I liked the way that depending on which way the wind was blowing you could get shelter
at the cairn ,now had my first stop for a drink and some fruit and same for Jake
After 10 mins and no sign of it clearing I about turned and headed down the same way

Jake with An Ruadh Stac behind him clear of clag

Looking back up to Maol Chaon Dearg

Coulags what a tidy little Bothy it is

Was soon enough back at Coulags Bothy and popped in for a look
it was very tidy and clean nothing needing taken out so closed the door
and headed on my way again halfway between the bothy and the car I met
4 mountain bikers who were heading over to Glen Torridon
I thought they would have more pushing than peddaling but what do I know

Car parked to the left of the trees

Reached the car and got out of my waterproofs for the drive back to the cottage
one thing I was pleased about is the waterproofs done there job well

[rockhopper]

Looks like rather mixed weather for your trip up here - nice on Beinn Alligin, clag on Liathach (similar to me) and clag/rain here and Beinn Eighe. Enjoyed reading your WRs - productive trip nonetheless and it's a great area for walking despite the weather - cheers

[BlackPanther]

Ha, we had very similar conditions when we did MCD a few years back... A cairn in the mist, no views We made up for it climbing An Ruadh Stac in sunny weather. I think in this case less is more. The Corbett is surrounded by many lochs and lochans, each one on a different level. On a good day, views are stunning.

I'm hoping to repeat MCD in winter conditions - living only an hour down the road from Torridon has its advantages

[jamesb63]

Looks like rather mixed weather for your trip up here - nice on Beinn Alligin, clag on Liathach (similar to me) and clag/rain here and Beinn Eighe. Enjoyed reading your WRs - productive trip nonetheless and it's a great area for walking despite the weather - cheers

Thankyou Rockhopper there is not a lot we can do about the weather
but all the same it was great being out and know I will return sometime again

Ha, we had very similar conditions when we did MCD a few years back... A cairn in the mist, no views We made up for it climbing An Ruadh Stac in sunny weather. I think in this case less is more. The Corbett is surrounded by many lochs and lochans, each one on a different level. On a good day, views are stunning.

I'm hoping to repeat MCD in winter conditions - living only an hour down the road from Torridon has its advantages

Yoou are so lucky staying near to this area it is so beautiful
and An Ruadh Stac is definetly worth returning for itself very impressive mountain