Tough but fantastic day in Glen Affric

[Coop]

Up at half 4 and walking at half 5. Make that walking quickly as the midgies were out.
Parked up the night before and dossed in the motor. 2 quid parking well spent in this beautiful area and fine car park.

Down go the big hoose and straight up where a good path is picked up leading to the demoted Munro - Sgurr na Lapaich  Why it's not a Munro still is anybody's guess!!
Look out for the wee cairns which guide you round the boggy bits ( in wetter times). Last chance also to fill up with water from the stream on your left as your ascending.
Up to Sgurr na lapaichs cairn and along to the huge cairn on Mam Sodhail.
Good view of the corrie and lochan come into view. Massive round cairn which you just have to climb on top of and feel like you're on top of the world.
Carn Eige is in view and a short descent and ascent up to the enclosed trig.
Looked back and there was another lad standing on top of Man Sodhail ( bumped into him later on my descent from Beinn fhionnlaidh).
I opted to go for the traverse round option rather than back up to Carn eige. By the time I reached the path one of my shins was telling me I shouldn't have!
Back up to Man Sodhail and headed down this way. 2 groups heading up. To the ladies- Hope you got on ok
Also realised at this point that I had a long descent to the track and an even longer walk back. If it had been raining I reckon the falls and stream would have been quite impressive.

And the cleg onslaught came on as well. Seriously hacked off with them at one point.

One thing; I wouldn't come back this way if I was doing it again. Long walk on gravelly stony paths- no good for the feet! I'd probably go the WH ascent and descent route.
Legs felt buckled by the time I got to the car park. Wanted to visit the Affric cairn but couldn't muster the energy to go for another 1/2 hour walk!!

Ascent and distance are roughly about there

I thought today would be the bigger day so I went here 1st. Tomorrow would prove me wrong.

Cheers