free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Thought I'd do a report with some exact timings to give people an idea how long this takes in baking summer conditions, with the kitchen sink on your back, at a leisurely pace and with lots of water/photo/bathing stops (Corrie Hallie-A' Mhaighdean summit camp-Corrie Hallie).
0550: Prime parking spot. Already worryingly warm
Hell of a walk in, but views...
Route ahead up shoulder of Beinn a' Chlaidheimh
What will be the return route up Strath na Sealga
Ford not an issue, filled all water bottles to brim and soaked top before midges descended
This turned out to be an absolute lick
Up that cleft in the shoulder then rather steep mountain goat path
North to An Teallach
From whence I came
1040: A real Andy Dufresne, arms to sky moment. Ridge finally reached about 5 hard, sweaty hours after setting off.
Beautiful ridge bimble after a hell of a morning
1102: Beinn a' Chlaidheimh summit with my damned burden cast off
Clouds
More clouds
Other clouds
Loch a' Brisidh. Would've been good for a swim
Never-ending boulder field with crucial snow patch to replenish water
Who lives in a house like this...
Tired pano, topping up bottles
1334: 1st munro, Sgurr Ban
Mmm... vapour trails
Pano vapour trails
Can't get enough of this
Lost path - poles away, steep crawl/scramble to Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair
1455: 2nd munro, MCMF summit, with A' Mhaighdean just above cairn looking very far off
MCMF looking back to SB
Afternoon vapour trails
Looking back to MCMF
Sweeping away to the south, Kinlochewe Forest, I think
Lovely little bypass path round side of Meall Garbh much appreciated
1634: 3rd munro, Beinn Tarsuinn
The tennis court with A' Mhaighdean still looking very far off
Looking north from BT
On the tennis court
Lochan Fada
Precious water on the final ascent to A' Mhaighdean
1923: 4th and final munro of the day, A' Mhaighdean, looking down Fionn Loch
South to Letterewe
Photos don't do the sheer drop off justice
...
Setup for sunrise
2159: sun finally sets
0427: a few hours sleep before sunrise
Dragged myself out of bed, couldn't miss this
Back to Lochan Fada
After a couple more hours in bed
That sun again, aim to get going before heat builds
A quality shot, clearly switched on and well rested today
0819: struck camp and descended to awesome high lochan, Fuar Loch More, before ascent to Ruadh Stac Mor
Looked impassable, but again, path is there with only short scramble
0923: 5th munro, 6th of the Fisherfields, RSM. Still early but dripping, hotter than yesterday
Just a short walk out then...
Another Andy Dufresne, shirt torn off moment to soak and guzzle mountain water
Rejoin stalker's path for mammoth trudge out
Passed these...
Crossed this...
And this...
... before the grim weather started closing in
Back to the mobile oven for 1600.
Summary: Heat and lack of wind was a drag (prob high 20s Celsius), but midges not an issue once height was gained on Beinn a' Chlaidheimh. Water almost became an issue but streams as indicated by OS on ascent to A' Mhaighdean were sound, if depleted by early summer heat. Supplemented by snow patches. Everywhere non-rocky was a tinder box, and in May! Pack weight was a killer, but would've been hard to jettison anything else. Also somehow managed to miss Shenavall and the track out
, so returned by the way I came, adding a couple of unnecessary miles. Practicalities aside, utterly stunning scenery and conditions. Though would I do it again?... maybe when the DOMS have faded, which 4 months on is a concern.
0550: Depart Corrie Hallie car park
1102: Beinn a' Chlaidheimh (C1)
1334: Sgurr Ban (M1)
1455: Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair (M2)
1634: Beinn Tarsuinn (M3)
1923: A' Mhaighdean (M4) + camp
2159: sunset
0427: sunrise
0819: struck camp
0923: Ruadh Stac Mor (M5)
1600: Arrive Corrie Hallie car park
Total time car-car: 34:30
Total time walking: 21:14
Credit to Collaciotach for the inspiration.
