Taking a Minion for a walk in the Fisherfields

[Jaxter]

Monday 31st December 2018
15.54km
305m ascent
4 hours 50 mins

Although I had managed to take trips just after New Year the last 2 years I had never managed to get away for the Bells. This was also something Malcy was up for so we hatched a plan. As we drove west from Inverness the weather became worse and worse and worse…. Still, it was only an easy walk along a good track to the bothy, what could go wrong. Right?

Wrong…It was torrential rain from the start; the wind was blowing it straight into our faces and even the wee burns which should have been the simplest crossings were major problems. And then it got dark. My head torch was handy so I managed to light our way across the burns in relays.

After nearly 2 hours of walking (“a nice easy hours walk” I’d been promised ) we finally saw the bothy appear out of the darkness. We were the first (and only) ones there and we were relieved to down our loads and get out of the dark and wet. I had miraculously kept my feet dry but Malcy wasn’t so lucky

The distance we had walked to the bothy was fairly apt


Malcy “Coal Minion” got the fire going and we started trying to dry stuff off


We got some tea brewing and dry clothes on. The roof was rattling as the rain continued but we were warm (ish) inside. Having let Malcy carry 3 night worth of coal in, I was Water Minion. It was pretty miserable outside


I had brought in Hogmanay decorations. Malcy was Blowing Minion


Warming up


We enjoyed an evening of Exploding Kittens, dinner, Snap, cake and custard and poking the fire before finally it was the countdown to the new year….without the Bells we had to use my phone




We celebrated with a wee dram and put some more coal on the fire. Eventually we headed for our sleeping bags – Blowing Minion is tired out



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Tuesday 1st January 2019

We slept pretty well and awoke the next morning eager to see what the new year had brought – as forecasted it looked pretty nice outside.


I persuaded Tea Minion to make the tea while I snuggled deeper into my sleeping bag Eventually we were both up and a bit more awake. The forecast was for the day to improve so we weren’t in too much of a hurry to get up.

The Grahams Groban and Beinn Bheag


It was pretty late by the time we were ready to get going, today with lighter loads! We were just going for a wee wander along the glen – time to see how my injury was going to respond to some more gentle walking.

Happy Jaxter


As we left the bothy we could see down Loch a’Bhraoin towards Beinn Dearg


And ahead towards Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair


Groban and Beinn Bheag


Looking back to the end Fannich – A’ Chailleach


Malcy always thinks it's worth a photo when I cross a river


We took our time walking along the path – it was a good path but boggy in places following the rain the previous night. As we meandered our way along we could see Slioch appear


Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair looking impressive and inviting


Taking a dump or a photo?


We climbed a few metres and contoured a little around Creag Raineach to gain a bit of height above the path…the views were definitely worth it


We could see the epic fisherfield slabs – they looked seriously cool and we wanted to climb up them! But not today….we stopped for a munch while enjoying the views – a pretty good start to 2019

Silly selfie


While we were there a wee bit of sun hit the wee nipple that Malcy was planning to explore the next day


Starting the year as I mean to go on


After a while we were getting cold so decided to get going. Malcy decided he wanted a wee trip up Beinn Bheag so he ran off to do that while I headed back towards the bothy.


Looking back


Another rest spot


Slioch looking super moody




The sun hitting A’ Chailleach


Beinn Bheag




Looking back again


The sun disappearing between the Grahams


Looking down the glen


Loch a’ Bhraoin


I was well ahead of Malcy so I had a wee wander down to the loch


Some deer standing on the wee hill by the loch


Looking down the loch from the hill


I picked up some water and expected a long wait but Malcy was actually only a few minutes behind me. Fire Minion then cleared the fire out and got it burning again. It was a really toasty fire and we were able to enjoy the evening.

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Wednesday 2nd January 2019
14.73km
227m ascent
5 hours

The next morning we awoke to frost on the inside of the windows The temperature had dropped overnight and it was freezing Neither of us was keen to get up so we debated plans from inside our sleeping bags – my injury seemed to be coping so we decided to walk through and spend our third night at Sheneval. At least Coal Minion only had about 5kg of coal to carry this time

I persuaded Tea Minion to make tea before we packed our stuff up. Outside the morning light was stunning although it fogged up my lens


It's cold enough for a sleeping bag worm!


Beinn Dearg


By the time we were packed and ready the day was properly underway….although it was still extremely cold outside


The boggy sections were frozen but the path was extremely icy making walking a risky process.


The sun coming over the ridge


Coal Minion taking a photo


We were passed by a walker who was doing a walk through to Corrie Hallie – meeting his parents halfway to switch car keys. Not a bad idea



Contemplating....


Reaching the col we followed the path around the corner today – Malcy was going to get up close to this nipple (Meallan an Laoigh) today


Descent to Loch an Nid


We followed the path down towards Loch an Nid and could now see An Teallach starting to pop out of the cloud


Malcy dumped his pack and headed across the burn and towards the slabs. I was tempted to go too but knew it would end badly. Being injured sucks


Slabs in Coire Gorm


Approaching Loch an Nid the sun was really coming out and it was stunning. I was tempted to sit and enjoy a cup of tea but without Bag Minion I wouldn’t be able to get my bag back on


It was a beautiful area and despite being unable to get up any hills I was still over the moon to get out again


It was a great day for photos so excuse the Fisherfield-photo-gasm as I made myself along the glen….




The big slabs below Sgurr Ban


I had a wee wander down to Loch an Nid where I met a guy who had stayed at Sheneval the night before and was heading for a wild camp higher up the glen


Beinn a’ Chlaidheimh and An Teallach


There was still ice everywhere and the burn crossings were a bit treacherous


Climbing away from Loch an Nid


The slabs


Loch an Nid had a wee beach and the end of the slabs end in some pretty impressive cliffs


Definitely want to come back and camp here


From here the glen dropped further and it looked like I was going to lose the sun


Funky slab-cliffs


I was in the shade and it was suddenly a lot colder I met the parents of the guy we had met earlier – it looked like they had a long way to go


I do love walking glens – there are so many things that you would miss by staying to the tops and this is no exception. I climbed onto a rock in the middle of the burn (a very risky business ) for this….


Reflections in the water


Waterfall


Looking back – I’d come a long way


We had done a very rough measure on the map and come up with around 10km….as I was already over 10km I was starting to wander if this was a good idea afterall I was feeling quite tired but not sore so I continued plodding.

I could finally see most of An Teallach – the best of the light had gone but it was still glorious




On the vehicle track I thought I was almost home….however the screenshot I’d taken of the map ended here and I’d thought it was only a few minutes further…how wrong I was


The vehicle track took me as far as Achneigie which informed me it was another 2km to Sheneval Doh! There was also a pretty sketchy river crossing to negotiate here

However, at least as I continued along the track I was greeted by the stunning Beinn Dearg Mor


The welcoming committee – goats


And then finally….the bothy was in sight!


Loch na Sealga


Beinn Dearg Bheag and Mor




An Teallach with Shenavall nestled beneath


This hill looks incredible from every angle – I’ve been desperate to climb it ever since I saw it


Looking down the glen towards the Fisherfield munros


When I reached Shenavall it was still warm! There was no one else there so got myself settled in to wait for Coal Minion. He actually wasn’t long at all so we were able to get the fire going and enjoy the evening. Someone had left a box of Cards Against Humanity which occupied many happy hours


We were just about to head to bed when a couple arrived – they had come from Harris and walked in in the dark. They decided to sleep upstairs but came and enjoyed the fire for a while.

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Thursday 3rd January 2019
17km
464m ascent
4 hours 45 mins

It was a nice cosy night and we awoke feeling very relaxed. Tea Minion got the tea on again and we packed our things up before heading outdoors. Bag Minion lifted my bag onto my back and we were off – Beinn Dearg Mor was coated in a wee bit of fluff




Loch na Sealga


We had decided to walk back to the vehicle track for the climb out of Shenavall – it would be easier and more gradual for me and my stupid injury.


On the way


As we reached the bottom of the climb we could see back up the glen we had walked down yesterday – Malcy’s nipple was more prominent from this angle and he tried to touch it


We gradually started to climb which gave us a great view back down towards the Deargs, Loch na Sealga and An Teallach




Creag Raineach and the Sgurr Ban ridge


Slowly but surely we reached the top of the pass before breaking off the track and into the bog. This was a shortcut back to the car – it would cut a crazy road walk down to around 5km




Loch Coire Chaorachain with Assynt behind in the distance


Looking back to An Teallach


It was generally not too bad underfoot – the ground wasn’t as frozen as the previous day but it definitely helped. It looked like I might make it out of the Fisherfield with dry feet


As we neared the descent to the A832 we got some mobile signal back so stopped to check for anything important.


It was an easy descent; we even picked up a bit of a path at the end and we were on the long road walk – we had measured it at around 5km but it was definitely longer

Looking ahead to the Fannaichs


The long and winding road


We were very happy to be back to the car and take our boots and bags off. It was a short drive down the road to the Forest Way bunkhouse where we had decided to spend an easy night and have a shower before heading north the next day…..

Next part - Assynt!

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[Alteknacker]

Great stuff - can't think of a better way to see the New Year in!! Magic!

Isn't Beinn Dearg Mor just amazing?? Like you, I've wanted to do this ever since I first saw it. Unfortunately I ran out of time and steam in Fisherfield in summer; but it gives me the best possible reason to go back there...

[weaselmaster]

What a great getaway for new year. Although the frustration of being up there and not being able to climb hills would must have been hard to bear. At least you could enjoy looking at the mountains. Hope the damage heals up soon.

[malky_c]

'Blowing minion'; . Brilliant trip though - just glad I managed to get a couple of hills in too .

[past my sell by date]

Great area
Your short cut back to the road was the way I did An Teallach the first time in about 1961. There was no such thing as a guidebook so we looked at the map and it seemed a good place to start Terrain was not something I'd learned about by then. Hope the injury heals up

[Sgurr]

Shame about the injury, but didn't seem to hold you back...or only to the level of normal mortals. At least you had plenty of minions and didn't have to carry the coal. Some superb photos there.

The first bothy was the one where I was introduced to the wonders of new tech. vis a vis sleeping mats. Every time the guy who had one turned over it sounded as if he was opening 100 crisp bags. The group also did not believe me when I told them there were now 5 rather than 6 Munros. Well, what do OAP's know? ....Bet none of THEIR grannies know how to suck eggs.

[past my sell by date]

Shame about the injury, but didn't seem to hold you back...or only to the level of normal mortals. At least you had plenty of minions and didn't have to carry the coal. Some superb photos there.

The first bothy was the one where I was introduced to the wonders of new tech. vis a vis sleeping mats. Every time the guy who had one turned over it sounded as if he was opening 100 crisp bags. The group also did not believe me when I told them there were now 5 rather than 6 Munros. Well, what do OAP's know? ....Bet none of THEIR grannies know how to suck eggs.

But missing out the demoted one is a huge mistake - though I only saw it before sunrise:
And is calling him a Minion not regarded "classist" today? - a Wallah of course would be even worse and could result in prosecution

[Mal Grey]

Its a great bothy that, complete with (bucket) flushing loo! A great posh hotel for a New Year Bash. I had a posh Tarp to sit under for ours.

Wonderful country to walk through, loved our visit a couple of years ago, and I agree the end of Loch an Nid looks like a top camp spot.

Happy New Year to you, and to Malcy, and hope the injury heals quickly.

[Jaxter]

Great stuff - can't think of a better way to see the New Year in!! Magic!

Isn't Beinn Dearg Mor just amazing?? Like you, I've wanted to do this ever since I first saw it. Unfortunately I ran out of time and steam in Fisherfield in summer; but it gives me the best possible reason to go back there...

Cheers - yes, always good to have an excuse to go back to places this good. As if you need an excuse

What a great getaway for new year. Although the frustration of being up there and not being able to climb hills would must have been hard to bear. At least you could enjoy looking at the mountains. Hope the damage heals up soon.

Cheers Al, it seems to be the longest running stupid injury...but hey ho. At least I managed to get out

'Blowing minion'; . Brilliant trip though - just glad I managed to get a couple of hills in too .

Yup, just to annoy me Small price to pay for having a minion for the week though

Great area
Your short cut back to the road was the way I did An Teallach the first time in about 1961. There was no such thing as a guidebook so we looked at the map and it seemed a good place to start Terrain was not something I'd learned about by then. Hope the injury heals up

Ach well, sometimes it's more rewarding when you've done it a daft way Cheers

Shame about the injury, but didn't seem to hold you back...or only to the level of normal mortals. At least you had plenty of minions and didn't have to carry the coal. Some superb photos there.

The first bothy was the one where I was introduced to the wonders of new tech. vis a vis sleeping mats. Every time the guy who had one turned over it sounded as if he was opening 100 crisp bags. The group also did not believe me when I told them there were now 5 rather than 6 Munros. Well, what do OAP's know? ....Bet none of THEIR grannies know how to suck eggs.

Haha you're absolutely right - blow up mats are brilliant but they are LOUD

Its a great bothy that, complete with (bucket) flushing loo! A great posh hotel for a New Year Bash. I had a posh Tarp to sit under for ours.

Wonderful country to walk through, loved our visit a couple of years ago, and I agree the end of Loch an Nid looks like a top camp spot.

Happy New Year to you, and to Malcy, and hope the injury heals quickly.

Thanks Mal - it was a cracking spot. I'll be back, and hopefully without the injury

[past my sell by date]

Jaxter Quote
"Ach well, sometimes it's more rewarding when you've done it a daft way Cheers "

But it didn't seem like a daft way at the time - or even later! Not until all these bloody Know-it-all guide book writers came along as said " this is the way you have to go"
How long before we see notices that say " if you don't follow the approved route your insurance may be invalidated"? Or you need a competence certificate before your'e allowed to tackle the Aonach Eagach - or worse still you have to employ a guide
It's already a bit like that in the US. You DO have to have a certificate to lead (rock) climbs of a certain standard. An aquaintance of mine and his friend were fined $25 by the ranger for crossing a glacier unroped
The Highlands are unique - I know nowhere else in the world where you can go wherever you bloody well like Long may it remain so .
[rant officially over ]

[dogplodder]

That was some walk to do especially when injured. Hope everything's back to normal now so there's nothing holding you back on the rest of this year's adventures!