Blown away on Maol Chean-dearg

[JimboJim]

Spent the previous night half sleeping, half chittering in the Bongo, having had a few beers in the Lochcarron Hotel, after climbing Ciste Dhubh, earlier that day. At last the light came on, so I made my way, the few miles up to Coulags. Definitely duller and more breezy than the day before, but that was predicted.

Coulags.

Meall nan Ceapairnean, from down near the start.

Followed the route, as per WH's without much problem, though a new wooden bridge before the "real" one, had me wondering a bit. Didn't take too long to finally come to the one referred to, then beyond that, the reassurance of seeing the Coire Fionnaraich bothy, then beyond, the Clach nan Con-fionn. No sign of Fionn, or his hunting dogs, but managed to find the cairn, marking where to turn left.

Mini hydro dam, well up the the Fionn-abhainn, where one crosses "the wooden bridge." There is also now a newer wooden bridge, much lower on the walk, which might lead to a bit of head scratching?

Coire Fionnaraich bothy, which looks a very warm, welcoming place, though I never poked my nose in, as there were folk inside. One never knows what might be going on?

A naughty looking digit, or just the Clach nan Con-fionn.

The path remains very clear and easy to follow up to the Bealach a' Choire Garbh. What was also becoming clear was the summit was unclear and the increasing wind speed was only adding to the already chilly temperature

Coire Garbh, with the ascent route hidden in the mist.

Even before reaching the bealach, I was having some question marks as to whether this would be do-able. The heavy gloves, face mask and jacket were soon added to the armour.

Path up/down from/to Coire Fionnaraich.

The sight of An Ruadh-stac, is indeed impressive, but my main preoccupation soon became narrowed down to staying on my feet, as I made my way up the steep scree. Having come this far, I was keen to get the job done, but the easterly wind must have been gusting well upward of 40mph+ and seemed determined to make me think again. Maybe it would be less severe above the bealach?

An Ruadh-stac.

Sun doing its best to put on a light show.

In actual fact, this seemed to be the case and progress was much easier, though the trail harder to follow, to the foot of the boulders and steeping final climb to the summit, which remained steadfastly shrouded in thick, freezing cloud.

Even the boulders were feeling the cold :)

Summit cairn, which has a few handy shelters, to protect from the elements.

Did I say it was cold?

Disappointed, I couldn't see the views of Torridon hills, I hung around as long as my fingers could tolerate, before reversing the journey back down. Fortunately, the wind eased a litle, but not much, till well below the bealach again. Met a couple of couple's on my way back, and enjoyed some great sunray effect, but otherwise not much doing until a spectacular rainbow, brought first signs of any precipitation, back at my start point, Coulag's.

Think this is Spidean Coire an Laoigh, emerging as I descend.

The bridge at Coulags.

Enjoyed the trip home, mostly, managing to stop for a few photo's along the way, till disaster struck going through the Pass of Glencoe, but that as they say, is a story for another day

No prizes for guessing