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Early start and the stars were still twinkling in the night sky when I set off, originally planned to re visit Sgorr Ruadh as well but later decided to leave that for another day - I love the walk up into Coire Lair so any excuse to come back again and again and again
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Walking in with the colours of the season all around accompanied by bellowing stags, once up in the Coire with no wind to carry away their roars I could hear it echo off the bare cliffs, I stood enthralled by the resonance until a response came from behind me and it sounded much too close for comfort so I had to get a bit of a wiggle on and continued my climb. Once off the stalkers path I came across a couple of hinds, totally unperturbed by the action going on around them.
Getting up close to todays objective and I need to make a decision on the route, didn't much like the look of the direct route up the scree slope...
But then again the Creag Mainnrichean looked a wee bit inhospitable too
I just picked my route up and it didn't look too bad, though once on the climb it was a good bit steeper than I was expecting with lots of loose stuff underfoot, however thankfully dry.
About half way up the scramble had a wee wobble as it dawned on me that I hadn't sent my route to Ewan therefore nobody knew where I was and I hadn't seen anyone else around, so in a state of mild panic I found a secure(ish) ledge and dug my phone out of my pack and hallelujah I had a signal so a quick call and a few squares of the emergency chocolate rations and I was on my way once more.
The sun was out by the time I reached the summit and afforded a long very leisurely lunch and a chance to explore in every direction. Wonderful views all around with Beinn Liath Mhor looking particularly special - must get back and do that ridge again.
Once again I considered the scree slope as return route but no, I just retraced my route back down to Bhealaich Mhoir - six points of contact on occasion
Stopped for a second lunch once back on the stalkers path and I still had the whole place to myself...
Magnificent !
