One crazy Christmas Day!
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:25 amWe've had these last 2 Munros left to finish off our second round for a couple of months now, but were holding out for a good day for it. Having had our family Christmas time already, we decided to just go for it 
Scoob's video shows our grand day out 
Leaving Poolewe at 4.30am
we set off on our bikes wearing lightweight boots, with the winter boots in tow. After 6km, we left the bikes at the start of the forest just after Kernsary farm. The long walk in had a few obstacles - almost immediately in to a boot-sinking dung field then soon after the track was flooded so we instead went for a crawl under a fallen tree and swinging around another, hanging on to slimy branches 
But once we were out of the forest it was a simple task of following the track, which we were grateful for in torch light. Water levels were very high, so we also went for the extra half km up Strathan Buidhe to cross the footbridge then back down again 
Day light was beginning to appear as we reached the path that would take us along to the causeway. Stopping to switch boots with much relief, it had taken us 4hrs to get to this point... so I was still confident we were on track for the 15hr day we had planned 
Having crossed the almost flooded causeway, we were now unsure of what to expect of the burn crossing up ahead of us. It was in spate, but we managed across without any big issues - feet stayed dry anyway
So we carried on up the path between the 2 hills, pausing to check the glass-like water (no breeze at all today) and the stone circle (matching the one on Beinn a'Chaisgein Mor behind us). The path soon disappeared in the snow so we took a more direct line up to the shoulder of RSM.
Coming down RSM was a bit more slow and careful due to slippery, snow-covered boulders. We stopped for a quick bite at the bealach then slowly plodded onwards and upwards By the time we reached our final summit we'd already decided not to return the same way, but to make a loop off the hill and back to the other end of the causeway... just in case it was the water crossings slowing us down 
We were keen to get back to the track in daylight, which we just managed Didn't bother to change boots again for the long walk out, happier to just trudge through the obstacles This time we crossed the burn at Strathan Buidhe, which was surprisingly low by now. Delighted when we reached the bikes again, but even more buzzing when we arrived back at the van at 9pm
As with our first round, this isn't the end of the road for us... we'll still be out hill walking somewhere more weeks than not, since this is one of our favourite hobbies/obsession
Scoob's video shows our grand day out Leaving Poolewe at 4.30am
we set off on our bikes wearing lightweight boots, with the winter boots in tow. After 6km, we left the bikes at the start of the forest just after Kernsary farm. The long walk in had a few obstacles - almost immediately in to a boot-sinking dung field then soon after the track was flooded so we instead went for a crawl under a fallen tree and swinging around another, hanging on to slimy branches But once we were out of the forest it was a simple task of following the track, which we were grateful for in torch light. Water levels were very high, so we also went for the extra half km up Strathan Buidhe to cross the footbridge then back down again Day light was beginning to appear as we reached the path that would take us along to the causeway. Stopping to switch boots with much relief, it had taken us 4hrs to get to this point... so I was still confident we were on track for the 15hr day we had planned - First light as we skirt the end of Fionn Loch
- Just crossed the causeway, using the edge as stepping stones!
- Our route ahead: up to the left then looped back around to come out on the right of this view
Having crossed the almost flooded causeway, we were now unsure of what to expect of the burn crossing up ahead of us. It was in spate, but we managed across without any big issues - feet stayed dry anyway
So we carried on up the path between the 2 hills, pausing to check the glass-like water (no breeze at all today) and the stone circle (matching the one on Beinn a'Chaisgein Mor behind us). The path soon disappeared in the snow so we took a more direct line up to the shoulder of RSM. - Stone circle looking on to A'Mhaighdean
- Steep line up to the more gentle shoulder of RSM
- Ruadh Stac Mor - almost on the summit with just one to go
Coming down RSM was a bit more slow and careful due to slippery, snow-covered boulders. We stopped for a quick bite at the bealach then slowly plodded onwards and upwards
By the time we reached our final summit we'd already decided not to return the same way, but to make a loop off the hill and back to the other end of the causeway... just in case it was the water crossings slowing us down - Feeling the burn! Final climb with RSM in the background
- View to Beinn Tarsuinn and Lochan Fada (our previous route in here)
- Topped out! Munro round 2 compleated on A'Mhaighdean :)
- Woohoo! Quick photo stop then time to get going again
We were keen to get back to the track in daylight, which we just managed
Didn't bother to change boots again for the long walk out, happier to just trudge through the obstacles This time we crossed the burn at Strathan Buidhe, which was surprisingly low by now. Delighted when we reached the bikes again, but even more buzzing when we arrived back at the van at 9pm - Heading down A'Mhaighdean avoiding the crags
- Gorm Loch Mor first, then down to Dubh Loch
As with our first round, this isn't the end of the road for us... we'll still be out hill walking somewhere more weeks than not, since this is one of our favourite hobbies/obsession
twice round 
Determination won out over exhaustion 
. And you probably got the best Christmas Day weather anywhere in the UK as well! Quite some effort to do this (4:30 am start