An Expedition to Glen Affric Day 1

[bootsandpaddles]

A very late start (just gone 11am) from a lay-by just over 1km east of the Cluanie Inn. We walked back up the road and turned left up the track signposted for Glen Affric and Morvich. After a short distance an indistinct path leads off up the very steep slopes of A’Chralaig. It promised to be a good day

South Glen Shiel Ridge

but it was hard going as we were carrying camping gear and food for 3 days.

The steep slopes of A'Chralaig

I could never manage this sort of thing without my trekking poles these days . It was a great relief to reach the ridge

On the ridge: looking towards the summit

where the gradient relented a bit as we approached the huge summit cairn. There were magnificent views all round with huge corries on the east side

Corries

and the low level path through An Caorann Mor on the west. It looked a long way to Mullach Fraoch-choire but it was an interesting walk along a fine ridge with a few rocky pinnacles.

Pinnacles on the ridge

It is amazing how a heavier than usual load makes you reconsider clambering over the rocks. What I would normally think of as “the cheats path” suddenly became very attractive!

Glen Affric still looked a long way off from the summit

Glen Affric

Mullach Fraoch-choire

Beinn Fhada and A Ghlas bheinn

Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan

and indeed it was another couple of hours before we crossed the bridge over the River Affric near the hostel.

Alltbeithe Hostel

Taking the direct route down to the bridge was a mistake: it was very steep and lower down was extremely boggy. Katie fell over twice whilst I managed to remain upright only by proceeding with extreme caution. Better to keep to the ridge although it is a bit further. But we made it! There are a couple of deer fences at the bottom that can be crossed by means of stiles.

At the bridge

We found a good camping spot by the river and soon had water on for tea.

Cream crackered!

A stiff breeze kept the midges at bay: little did we anticipate how many there would be waiting for us in the morning.

[magicdin]

A'Chralaig really is a slog is'nt it - would'nt fancy it with a big pack

[Graeme D]

Great stuff - good commentary but lets the brilliant pictures do most of the talking. I got a look at these two from both sides over two days recently in Kintail and can't wait to go back and "fill in the gap".

[monty]

Nice report. Going up there tomorrow. Nice view of the ridge to Mullach F..M... Looks quite steep down to the hostel