A' Chralaig + Mullach Fraoch-choire

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Empty lay-by

Loch Cluanie and start of SGS Ridge

Wintery clag roughly at spot height 1037m

A' Chraileag emerges (with man nearing summit)

Clag spectacularly rolling over shoulder

A' Chraileag summit, massive cairn

Summit with Glen Affric behind

Zig-zagging ridge ahead to Mullach Fraoch-choire

View down Coire na Craileig leading to Gleann na Ciche

Getting closer, spot height 1000m

Stob Coire na Craileig

Spot height 949m

Vapour trail

View back to sunburst over A' Chraileag

Upcoming difficulty on the right, An Geurdain ridge

After An Geurdain ridge

Mullach Fraoch-choire summit

Summit pano

Another summit pano

Last view before descent to north

Descent towards Allt a' Chomhlain

Unmapped deer fence to negotiate

Very wet and pathless trudge to bealach

Landy track through An Caorann Mor back to A87

Summary:
Fine winter's day despite minimal daylight hours. Low winds and no rain forecast but chance of clear summits uncertain. Walked from empty car park into the clag, wet ground underfoot quickly freezing. Amazing sights upon emerging from clag to see A' Chraileag and looking back, clouds folding over shoulder of hillside, Glen Shiel behind. Sunbursts aplenty. One other walker visible throughout as tiny speck ahead, quiet otherwise. No wildlife. Massive cairn of 1st summit caked in rime. Clear views down into Glen Affric and beyond. Walking enjoyable for a while, easy ridge walk with amazing views until An Geurdain ridge. Committed to bypass round right, but lots of soft snow, very steep, big drop. Dangerous. Lucky to get round. Met the man returning who had used same path, exchanged thoughts, neither of us happy with it. He returned regardless. Hoped he made it ok. I resolved not to in favour of longer detour north off gentler shoulder of Mullach Fraoch-choire. Relief to reach MFc summit and enjoy further amazing views all around. Low winter sun through cloud and snowy tops, amazing sight. Summit to north looked particularly intimidating, Sgurr nan Ceathramhnan? And Fiongleann to west looking particularly stunning and remote. Gentle descent north and then west, negotiating a deer fence at the corner post, before extremely wet trudge back up to bealach and down An Caorann Mor on improving track. Passed several bold stags to return to still solo car in dusk of dark Glen Shiel. Stunning day, well satisfied. Back to Laggan and Great Glen Youth Hostel as one of 2 guests - perfection.

Start: 08:27
Finish: 15:28