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There won't be too many trips NW of the Great Glen left this year so the promise of high pressure over the north west for the weekend was too much to resist. I settled on these 3 Munros as an introduction to the area although the MWIS forecast predicted that they would be at the western fringe of the cloud cover rolling in from the east for the morning.
I set off from Lundie just after 10am with a chilly easterly wind and a light cloud cover and quickly reached the transmitter aerial and headed up to Carn Ghluasaid on the excellent stalkers path. Despite the heat of ascending, I was well wrapped up against the biting wind. I could see the ridge leading to the summit flitting in and out of the cloud which was fairly racing across the sky. I was keeping the faith that things would clear or, even better, that I would climb through and above it.
I reached the summit after an enjoyable 1h45mins but at only 957m above sea level I was still in the cloud. However, I could make out the white disc of the sun trying to break through so spirits were still high.
I was quickly down to the col above Coire nan Clach where the wind was really howling and I added a 2nd fleece. I followed the path bypassing the summit of Creag a' Chaorainn and could now see blue sky above me to the NW. Spurred on by this, I was at the Glas Bhealach before I knew it. I wanted to press on further but my stomach had started to rumble so I stopped for a break overlooking Gorm Lochan. Things were starting to clear nicely
. I also caught my first glimpse of Sgurr nan Conbhairean which looked just a short pull away.
After the short climb over easy ground I was at the summit where I met 2 other walkers - the only people I saw all day. Cloud was swirling around the summit but the trend was obvious - things were getting clearer. 11km to the N, I could make out Mam Sodhail sticking the top of it's head above the cloud - wow! Here, near the cloud top, I also saw my first Brocken Spectre and over the next 15 minutes, the cloud cleared completely to reveal stunning views
.
I could see my route to the 3rd munro of the day Sail Chaorainn which looked just a hop and skip away.
I reluctantly left the summit of SaC but was soon bounding my way to SC. I was really buzzing on a massive endorphine/adrenalin rush and, as the views continued to improve, I let out few yelps and howls of joy
. Soon I was at the rather insignificant top of SC which was still a wonderfully remote spot with great views into Glen Affric and of nearby A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire.
Now it was time for the walk back but even the return over (most of) SaC was no chore and the views to the South Shiel ridge were more than enough to drive me on. The descent route continued enjoyably over Drochaid an Tuill Easaich, above Gorm Lochan and down to Meall Breac.
I shut my eyes for 15 minutes sheltered from the breeze in the warm afternoon sun wrapped up in one of those "I would rather be here than anywhere else in the world" moments
.
The descent from Meall Breac to the Allt Coire nan Clach was steep, muddy, grassy and a little slippy but I made it down with just the one bum-slide
. This section would probably be unpleasant in wet weather but it was dry enough to be ok. I crossed the burn about 100m above the Old Military Road as I could see no easy crossing place further down.
From here it was just the walk back along the Old Military Road past the transmitter to the car.
These 3 munros may be less celebrated than some of their neighbours but I thought this was a fabulous day out
. Good paths, easy ridge walking, dry underfoot, great views, plenty of interest... in case you can't tell, I'm still buzzing
.
